HubPages and Time Management

Time is my biggest enemy. I haven't exercised in days and I am becoming a blob at my computer. The only time I want to move is when my bladder makes me. I read somewhere that Hubpages can be addictive. That is no understatement. Since I have joined Hubpages all I want to do is read hubs (note to self -find time to write more). The amount of knowledge shared by so many all over the world is staggering. The kind comments encourage my desire to stick with it on the days I feel overwhelmed. I have so much to learn and eager to get there. Sometimes I have to remind myself to be patient for a slow and steady growth both personal and possibly financial. I have renewed energy for a lost passion and know that with time, effort and a little luck, the best is yet to come. However, things are getting out of hand around my house. Laundry is piling up, dust balls are showing up and my appearance could use a little more attention. I am sure some of you can relate to sitting at the computer in a housecoat. Still, I do manage to make some good meals, must keep my man happy (more on that in another hub). So here are some tips for time management which I must get back to myself.

Write it down

As in anything, there is a rule and the rule is that if 80% of your effort is unfocussed, you will only deliver 20% in results. To do lists are sometimes the most useful and overlooked tool for staying focused. You get more accomplished if you are prepared for the day. It is easy to be distracted by all the things there are to do and become overwhelmed not knowing where to start. Prioritize your list making sure the most urgent tasks get done first. It's not fun when the day is wasted and then the scramble is on to do important things that have been put off. Don't worry if you don't get everything done on the list. The unfinished tasks can be moved to your next day's list. Keep it simple, start by thinking of it as a grocery list for the day.

Get your house organized

I have to tell you when things get out of control I can't think. I have to stop and spend some time to reorganize. It feels better to know where everything is and not have to waste time and energy looking for something. I feel a great sense of accomplishment and relief when I clean out a closet or drawer (sad but true). It doesn't take much time depending on how long you put it off for. To reduce stress, stay on top of organization. That way you can target all of your stress free energy to one task without the nagging other stuff in your head.  Maintain a clean organized house for a clean organized head. Of course sometimes things do get away on us. When things are getting out of hand, stop and hit reset. Take a moment to focus on what has been neglected and put them back in order. You will feel refreshed and ready to tackle anything.

Allocate time

Now I must admit this is the hardest thing for me to do. I can get on the computer and before I know it hours have gone by with nothing accomplished. I found it so much easier to work outside the home because my time was defined for me. Working from home demands much more discipline and a need to allocate time into slots. Time for work, play, relationships, house, eating, sleeping, exercising and so on - really consider how much time you want to devote to each and set an available block for all of them with a little breathing space for the unexpected. Don't forget to take time for yourself – a nice walk is a good time to think of what to write.

Delegate

Take advantage of a free Saturday afternoon when everyone will be home. Gather the troops (even if it is just two) and ask for an hour of their time to pitch in and get things done. Don't forget a to do a list in order to stay focused but be realistic on time constraints. Make it fun, turn the music on or work in pairs. Split the list according to likes and dislikes. It doesn't make much sense to give someone a chore they hate when someone else doesn't mind doing it. My husband hated sweeping floors and I hated vacuuming so it worked out well for us with him doing the carpets and me doing the bare floors. My daughter would rather clean the bathroom than her bedroom. That was fine with me, I preferred tiding her room (although, scary at times). Don't feel a need to take it all on yourself – delegate.

It can be surprising once we start to look at where our time goes to see just how much of it we spend watching television or unproductively on the computer. When you start to allocate time into a schedule of blocks make sure you consider all you want to accomplish and how much time you have. Keep in mind of course we all need downtime. I always block in some time for Oprah.

One final note -

Take it easy on yourself.

Everything takes time and as our most precious commodity it needs to be managed but don't get over whelmed, inch by inch is a cinch. Keep at and you will get there, all in good time. Now, back to my reading or maybe I should get dressed.