Time management

**Patty A** · 02-02-2009, 08:45 AM

I know working hard at being frugal with money is one thing we all work at, but are you as frugal with your time as you are your money?

I got to thinking about this over the weekend, and we get so focused money waste that I think I overlook time management often.
If you are truly frugal shouldn't we be working on time management also. A moment come and gone can't be gotten back, so wouldn't it be smart to make sure we aren't wasting our time on things that aren't so important to us a time..................I find it almost funny how we forget that time is the most precious resource we have, and yet we are so wasteful of it. You can't earn it back, you can't buy more, you can't find it, make it, or have more once the day is gone.

I think a great time saver for me is a "to do" list. I seem to be a master at making lists, and it really does help me find ways to double up on things that need to be done that can save me time. Like making sure I get all my "town" things done in one trip, no extra running back because I forgot something and have that as a waste of time.

I also find that it is easy for me to let others take my time when I should be thinking about me. I have to LEARN to say no and not let people take advantage of me by dropping things on me at the last minute, or asking me to do things for them at the last minute. It is OK to SAY NO! And not to let people take the time I have away from things I need and want to do.

Which leads me to this one, it is ok to ask others for help! Involve the whole family in getting things done. It is ok to get everyone involved in helping out!

It is also ok to take a break, you sometimes just need 5 minute to renew yourself to be able to get more done. Take 5 minutes and enjoy an extra cup of coffee, or listening to the kids laugh, or listen to the birds sing, or watch the chickens busy at work scratching for breakfast. That few minute will help renew your energy and make your day go much smoother.

What do you do to manage you time?
Do you Prioritize?
Do you make lists?
Do you take breaks for yourself durning the day?
How do you work it all out?

**elphie** · 02-02-2009, 09:02 AM

Good point Patty! Time is a precious resource. To do lists also help me a lot. Schedules help me too. We have a school schedule (we are homeschoolers) and a chore schedule. The chore schedule is very helpful because it keeps me on track with laundry, floors, etc. I have specific days that I do these types of things, without a schedule I tend to be out of site out of mind and forget about the kids hampers in their closets until someone runs out socks, lol.

**tervsforme** · 02-02-2009, 11:41 AM

Time management is a huge issue for me. I do make lists of things to be done, but it seems like sometimes that's all I get done is the list making. This is something I really need to focus on, how to get everything done during the day that I want to get done. I'm going to need to ponder this a bit to try to come up with a couple of different ideas, because my current system certainly isn't working.

**Grainlady** · 02-02-2009, 11:56 AM

We all have the same 24-hours in a day and it's amazing how we all use them differently. THANKFULLY, it changes with the different stages of our lives. I'd never want to go back to the busy schedule and break-neck pace I kept until I was 50-years old.

I'm one of those personalities that has a regular schedule for household tasks - for me, it just makes things go so much easier and is good for my peace-of-mind to know they are done on a regular basis. Because tasks are done in a timely manner, I don't have to waste energy stressing out WHEN will I have time to I do laundry or the "million" other things that have to be done each day.

I've always been this way. Even as a child I'd get up and instantly make my bed so I didn't have to think about doing it again. Hubby and I do the same thing today. It takes us 30-seconds to make the bed together, so much for FINDING time to make the bed - it's automatic and effortless when we make it together everyday.

Giving to myself these days means I stop and enjoy a cup of tea, not just drink it while doing other things. I no longer spend hours reading and researching for business or creating training sessions and classes, but set aside time for reading for pleasure.

When I was the middle of the generational "sandwich" - needy elderly parents, a son in high school and a newly married daughter, as well as working and volunteering - I never gave my time much thought because it was sucked from me from all directions.

Now, at 56, I set my own pace. When people ask me what I'm doing now, I tell them "anything I want".

**joyofsix** · 02-02-2009, 12:00 PM

Time management is hard for me because I feel I should always be doing something productive. I have to be careful with to -do lists because I'll fill them so full no one could do it all. On the bright side my house is usually clean and I'm caught up on odd jobs, on the downside I don't just sit and enjoy much. I'm working on it.

**Patty A** · 02-04-2009, 01:51 PM

I have to ask this question, do care about yourself? If you do, do you take time for YOU each day? If not do you feel you are neglectiong yourself day to day, every day? I really feel like if you don't schedule "me time" you in ways are neglecting you and your health.

I think its easy to let WORK and FAMILY be the only voices when you plan things, but have you ever ask, What am I doing for me today? Or tomorrow, or this week? or this month? or this year?

If you are like me when you get pressed for time it you that gives to make things work out. So why is it that we never schedule time in the busy days for us. I'm not talking about hours at a time, like Grainlady said, just long enough to sit and enjoy a cup of tea.....make the enjoy the big part, and find the time for me. I know I need to do this, I always put myself last, and I think taking a few minutes everyday would make me do a far better job of handling everything else.

Choose to make time for you, don't just hope time will allow, or you will make time. Schedule it if you have to when you first start out.....BUT do it, find time to enjoy just a few minutes a day and see if it doesn't make your day go better........

It really is ok to let the dishes sit for an extra 5 minutes, or to put off starting dinner for an extra 5 minutes. You really can find that 5 minute to take time for you if you CHOOSE to do it. With us being the caregivers most of the time it is beyond time to take care of US.
If you have time look at this study done on women and stress........
It really will open your eyes as to why we need to do this.
Have a great day....enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, water, or whatever you like to drink! Take time for you!
http://cbs13.com/health/me.time.stress.2.919844.html

**homesteadmamma** · 02-04-2009, 02:02 PM

Great thread!!

What do you do to manage you time? I like doing things in 15 minute intervals. I work for those 15 mins and then break for 15 mins. In those 15 min breaks, I might talk to dh or play on the computer. I find breaking things down this way I get a whole lot more done.

Do you Prioritize? Yes, homeschooling comes first. After that it's what needs to get done.

Do you make lists? I do, however I often forget I've made the list, rofl. However, when I make lists I find I get more done. I'm now making lists for a full month. I write down everything WE need to do, not just me.

Do you take breaks for yourself during the day? Yes, I quilt at least 30 mins everyday. I have my little sewing room and it's mine. When I'm in there, I'm not thinking of anything else.

How do you work it all out? I don't. There are often things that don't get done because something comes up more important or MORE FUN!! Being retired also helps because I have all the time in the world.

I've always been the type of person who isn't concerned about getting it all done. If the dishes sit overnight because I'm quilting or enjoying a good movie with the family, so be it. Life is so short and to be doing something all the time because it has to get done just doesn't fit in my lifestyle. I want time to play, relax and enjoy life.

**peanut** · 02-14-2009, 12:11 PM

Good timely question for me, what with feeling swamped by all the projects I've taken on and not finished

What do you do to manage your time? Right now I am struggling with this. Too much to do and too little time. I find I hide from it all on the computer! So I limit my computer time. I can only wander around the house so long and I have to do something. Generally I look at the week as well as the day. Often people focus on daily 'to do' lists. I focus on weekly stuff...one day is baking (I only want to make that mess in the kitchen once!), one day is laundry, one day is cleaning (kind of...I'm out of this habit), one day is errand day....etc.

Do you Prioritize? Yes. I try to. God first, DH second, family next, friends and missions after that.

Do you make lists? Yes, but I keep losing them. DH finally solved the problem for me by picking up OneNote for me after Christmas on sale. Now my list is safely kept on my computer desktop!

Do you take breaks for yourself during the day? Yes. Usually I take the early afternoon for visiting. I often invite people in. But from 3 pm on is usually my time. Until DH comes home from work. Supper usually only takes an hour to cook and we eat around 6 - 6:30 pm. Meaning I have a good 2 hours to myself in the afternoon.

How do you work it all out? It's a struggle if you have little kids and people pulling at you from all directions. But now the kids are grown and left home it is much easier. My dad remarried. My mom died. DD#1 is married and determined to make it on their own as much as possible. DD#2 is in university a continent away, and engaged to be married. Also determined to make it on her own. I am not as stressed as I used to be. Mostly now it's making efficient use of the time I have left to me.

do you take time for YOU each day? Yep! I once wrote down a long list of things I'd like to do (bucket list) and things I found nurturing for me. I pick something from that list to do every day. Actually, some of those things have become a habit for me. I don't even have to look at the list. With my time freed up I can spend as much time as I like on nurturing activities, and I often do.

I didn't used to be this way. I used to slavishly follow a 'to do' list and get discouraged because I couldn't get things done, what with all the demands on my time. But it is crucial you make time for you. Even when I was homeschooling we would take an hour in the afternoon to go into our rooms and just be by ourselves. It really made things run a lot smoother the rest of the day. For the kids I just put baby gates up across their doors, so they could look out and see each other and me if they wanted. I usually lay down for a rest.

**Spirit Deer** · 02-14-2009, 12:23 PM

I admitted to myself long ago that if I was any good at time management, I wouldn't spend time on online forums. I was far more productive before we had internet. But I enjoy being on forums, just have to work harder not to let them take over my life and stay within firm limits.

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-14-2009, 12:25 PM

i was talking with my mother on the phone this morning (she lives far away) and we were talking about time....she said yesterday she was visiting her friend and her friends' daughter dropped by....they were all sitting and chatting and the subject of baking came up...the daughter said 'yes mother...you used to bake all the time why don't you anymore' (now mind you these women live in a 'retirement community' and are all 70-80 yrs old)

the mother said "i don't have the time"...
daughter- "HOW could you not possibly have the time...you sit on your butt in here all day long and do nothing" (which wasn't very nice by the way) the mother replied..."exactly...that's why i don't have the time to bake"....my mother said she almost spit her coffee all over the table......

**elphie** · 02-14-2009, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by sabrelvssammy

i was talking with my mother on the phone this morning (she lives far away) and we were talking about time....she said yesterday she was visiting her friend and her friends' daughter dropped by....they were all sitting and chatting and the subject of baking came up...the daughter said 'yes mother...you used to bake all the time why don't you anymore' (now mind you these women live in a 'retirement community' and are all 70-80 yrs old)

the mother said "i don't have the time"...
daughter- "HOW could you not possibly have the time...you sit on your butt in here all day long and do nothing" (which wasn't very nice by the way) the mother replied..."exactly...that's why i don't have the time to bake"....my mother said she almost spit her coffee all over the table......

ROFL... that is priceless. That lady is my shero!

Kind of my attitude as well... there are things on my to do list each day but my list is manageable and we still have plenty of downtime to just enjoy life... it's too short to wait until you're 80 to have time for yourself.

**Starlight9803** · 02-14-2009, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by joyofsix

Time management is hard for me because I feel I should always be doing something productive. I have to be careful with to -do lists because I'll fill them so full no one could do it all. On the bright side my house is usually clean and I'm caught up on odd jobs, on the downside I don't just sit and enjoy much. I'm working on it.

This is me also. Our homeschooling and most cleaning chores are scheduled throughout the week, but the rest of the time I am trying to cram in as much other work as possible - supposedly so I can take a "break" the next day - but the break never happens - just more work.

**ladykemma2** · 02-15-2009, 08:16 AM

here is my typical week, during the school year.

friday 4:30 am pump gas, mad scramble to clean exterior windshield, tidy interior, and dump garbage while gas is pumping. jump in car, go through automatic car wash, sit inside while car wash is doing its thing, clean interior surfaces and interior windshield with a damp rag. off to school. after school, 4:30 pm personal sabbath begins.

saturday: putter, rest. i do a jewish sabbath. friday sundown to saturday sundown i rest, putter, don't answer the phone, don't answer the door. the chore of the day is master bedroom and change sheets. i also meal plan and inventory, do the shopping list. frankly i take a lot of breaks playing on the internet. i usually go to an AA meeting or go to the temple saturday eve.

sunday: chore of the day, personal grooming. church. biweekly grocery shopping. exercise, shower, go to bed.

monday through friday: up at 3:30 am, to school by 5 am. home at 4ish, judge judy and local news while cooking and eating dinner. chore of the day. pay today's bills and mail them, throw in a load of laundry, exercise, take a bath, go to bed by 7:30 - 8 pm.

edited to add: i am not rigid about any of this, i tend to relax and if it doesn't get done, it doesn't get done. i also leave dirty dishes in the sink a lot.