The Procrastination List Revisited

My recent encounter with the common housefly – several of them, to be more precise – has made me think of the other things I’ve put off and why.

And as I’ve mentioned, crossing something off my Procrastination List feels ten times better than crossing ten things off my regular To Do list.

While I’ve cleaned the inside of four long-neglected windows and the inside and outside of the front door, that’s only the beginning. I have several others to do. (I’m counting on my hubby to do the outside windows, all of which require working from a ladder.)

Now that I’ve begun washing window coverings, I should finish the task. And while I’m at it, I’m going to measure some of the windows for new curtains.

The pantry, where this all began, is in need of serious help. The shelf came away from the wall some time ago, creating a huge hole in the plaster. Plus, the carpet needs replacing. And before any of that can happen, I have to clear out the room and dispose of most of the contents. (By the way, the pantry is also a former bedroom, a former home for our now deceased rabbit, and yet another catch-all room.)

Every now and then, I organize the laundry/storage room. It is sadly in need of some serious de-cluttering yet again.

A friend is organizing a fundraising yard sale. What a great opportunity to do some purging and donate to a good cause! I’ll have to get on that.

And then there are those regularly neglected chores that should be on my weekly – or at least, bi-weekly – To Do list:

~ thoroughly cleaning the bathrooms

~ vacuuming the main floor and the stairs to the second floor

~ giving the kitchen a good once-over

While I am sure there are many other things that I could/should be doing, this is a good list to start on. I’ll let you know how it goes.

So, what do you neglect that you’d especially like to get off your To Do list?

6 Ways to Do What You Don’t Wanna

As I sit here anticipating my workout, I find myself conflicted. I wanna go, but I don’t. Have you ever felt that way about something you needed to do?

Here are six ways to gain victory over the I-don’t-wanna’s:

1. Make a list of all the reasons you should do that thing you’d rather not.

2. Make another list of all the negatives that are likely to occur if you don’t.

3. For those things that don’t already come with a deadline, try setting one. (This helps me a lot.)

4. Grant yourself a reward when the task is done. (However, a big piece of cake after a workout is not an appropriate reward – just in case you’re/I’m wondering.

5. If it’s an ongoing task, choose an accountability partner who will keep tabs on your progress.

6. Developing a grateful outlook will help you reframe those responsibilities that sometimes weigh you down. (For instance, I have much to be thankful for when it comes to exercise: 1) I have a trainer who really knows her stuff; 2) I have the physical ability to workout; and 3) I know I’ll feel much better even after I get there.)

How about you? What motivates you to do those things you’d rather not do?

Too Busy?

I’m too busy to exercise?

Remember what I said about working more efficiently and thinking more clearly? (When my three were young, I got into the habit of working out every morning. Now that I’m doing it again, I remember why.)

I’m too busy to eat properly.

I won’t lie. My eating habits are not what they should be, but even taking steps in the right direction has already begun to make me feel better. It just might do the same for you.

I’m too busy to read.

For the time being, my pleasure reading is on hold. However, I do have the privilege of editing other people’s work. I get to read several books while working. I like it!

I’m too busy to go out for coffee.

My problem isn’t grabbing a coffee and chatting for an hour. It’s grabbing a coffee and chatting for three. Hi, I’m Stephanie and once I get going, I like to talk…and talk and talk and talk.

I’m too busy to stop and listen to a friend in need.

My mind is always flitting here, there, and back again. And as I said, I do like to talk. When a friend needs a listening ear, I have to stop not only what I’m doing, but snag those runaway thoughts and listen, really listen. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

I’m too busy to sit in the backyard with my spouse.

I’m glad I didn’t say this last night. My hubby works hard to make our gardens look lovely. He and the family bought me a hammock chair years ago. Every time I sit outside, I wonder why I don’t do it more often. I especially enjoy it in the evening when the garden lights pop on, one by one.

I’m too busy to play with my kids.

Mine, as you probably know, are grown. Two of them still live at home and it’s important to pay attention to them when they want to talk about something important – or nothing in particular. In this age of iThis and iThat, it’s still shows respect to give another our undivided attention. That is becoming harder and harder, but I hope it doesn’t become a lost art.

I’m too busy to sleep.

In my new, detailed schedule, I try to allot seven hours each night for sleep. Our physical, mental, and emotional well-being often hinge on the amount of sleep we get. And, like exercise, adequate sleep helps us think more clearly and work more efficiently.

I’m too busy to clean house.

Please refer to entries under “Confessions of a Horrible Housekeeper” above. (grin)

 

Simply Finish

Deadlines are amazing! Well, at least I think they are…especially externally-imposed ones.

I needed that impending deadline to complete the requirements for my doula certification program to motivate me to make the last big push to get everything done. (I popped the package in the mail this week.)

When I have a deadline, I like to break up the work into bite-sized chunks and, as much as possible, evenly distribute the task over x number of days. A couple of times this week, I pushed through and got things done ahead of schedule. Such a sense of accomplishment! (I love crossing things off tomorrow’s To Do list.)

Last week, I was cleaning out my inbox when I came across on invitation to write a guest blog – dated back in February. I contacted Julie. One thing led to another and she asked me to write a four-part series to be published on her site each Monday for the next month. (Pop back at the first of the week and I’ll have the link to her site posted.) She gave me the deadline of writing a post once per week. I got them done in four days. (Don’t be too impressed. They’re personal experience pieces and came together quickly.)

If you read my ROW check-ins, you’ll notice I have a number of things circling in the queue. That’s why, when I was given the option of taking on a fairly brief editing job, I said yes and completed the project in a couple of days. It feels amazing to wrap up a project, even a less imposing one.

I’ve said it before, but the more I dive in and do what I’m supposed to, the more pumped I become and the more energy I have to do other projects.

And why on earth am I sharing this info with you? For a couple of reasons: 1) to encourage you to tackle that job you know you should do and “git er done”* and 2) to give credit where credit’s due (I am, by nature, an incredibly lazy individual. If it wasn’t for God’s work in my life, there is no way I would have these anecdotes to share. The glory is His alone.)

*If you need a chuckle today, check out the Urban Dictionary’s definition of this phrase.

The Shrinking To Do List

It seems self-evident: If we want a simpler life, we need to put fewer things on our To Do list. However, this crazy thing called commonsense, isn’t so common.

I’m learning to simplify my list of daily expectations, one of the luxuries of being self-employed. I am becoming more honest about what I can get done in any given 24-hour period and am deliberately factoring in R & R.

And if, at the end of the day, there is a backlog, I’m learning to bump the work to the next day…or the day after that.

The things I must attack first are 1) those items of highest priority and 2) those with a specific deadline.

Although I don’t have to divert my attention every time something pops up, there are times I do have to alter course to fulfill a responsibility that wasn’t previously on my list.

I must also remember I can’t always give a project the priority someone else thinks it should have. In the case of my clients, I do my best to be obliging, but sometimes I have to stand my ground re: a reasonable time frame. (After all, it’s so much better to be done ahead of schedule than to be constantly making excuses for missing deadlines.)

Speaking of others…At least some of the people in our lives will have definite ideas about what we should or shouldn’t do, imposing their way of thinking on us. If we’re not careful, we can try to please everyone, and that just isn’t possible. (I’m not speaking about wise counsel or those with authority over us. We will always benefit from heeding the truth spoken in love, even if it makes us uncomfortable or resistant initially.)

And those nagging voices in our heads, those that don’t bear heeding? They could be the voices of others clambering for our attention or they could simply be our inner perfectionist. (Admit it, most of us have one.)

As we carefully balance these considerations, we can re-evaluate our list, see what needs to go, what needs to stay, and what might need to be added. (We must make additions only as needed and, when possible, cross off at least one other thing for each item we add.)

And just what are some of the practical outcomes of restricting the length of our To Do list?

We’ll have more time to spend with family and friends…and maybe even more time for ourselves to do something crazy, like sit for an hour and read a book for pleasure.

We just may gain a sense of peace, realizing there will always be more to do, and it’s okay not to be running on fast forward all the time.

It forces us to  prioritize in order to get things done that really do need our attention.

So, what things can you eliminate from your To Do list so you can breathe easier?

Tips for Achieving Your Goals

1. Gain a clear grasp on our goals. If you don’t, you’ll never know if you’re getting close to achieving them.

2. Put your goals down on paper…or tucked away on a computer file.

3. Read the list often.

4. Arrange items in order of priority so you can work your way through the list.

5. That said, often the goals that are most important take a great deal of effort to achieve. Therefore, it’s always good to choose a more readily-achievable goal and fulfill it. It feels great to cross each item off the list.

6. Life’s big goals must be broken up into bite-sized chunks.

7. Sometimes goals must change and that’s to be expected. However, it’s best to deliberately set them aside when appropriate rather than let them slip through your fingers, which only leads to a sense of failure.

8. Not only will goals change, but so will priorities. Don’t feel bad about rearranging your list whenever needed.

9. When making goals that include others, if appropriate, include them in the goal making process.

10. Celebrate the achievement of even low priority goals or “sub-goals.” Just remember to be wise. Don’t celebrate losing 20 pounds with a piece of cake or giving away a box of books by buying a new one – unless, of course, that was your purpose for getting rid of the box.

11. While wise counsel ought to be heeded, you can’t listen to all the voices that would try to influence you. You simply can’t make everyone happy.

12. If you’re a Christian, I strongly urge you to prayerfully consider your goals. God cares about all the details of our lives.

Simply Prioritize

As I’ve said countless times before, I’m all about relationships. Although I don’t always follow the outline below, here are some ideas for keeping my priorities straight. I trust you will be able to adapt them according to your life and priorities.

My Relationship with the Lord

I don’t start every day with prayer and Bible reading, but this is a great way to direct my focus to the most important relationship in my life.

My Relationship with Immediate Family

I attempt to make myself available to my family when they are around. My eldest son and daughter still live at home. It’s easy to touch base, though we don’t spend as much time together as you might think.

I was trying to sit down to a family supper once per week, but that has gone by the wayside. It was delightful sharing a meal on both Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I want to go back to eating together at least once or twice per month.

It will be more difficult staying in touch with my son who lives in Saskatchewan. He is a quiet, contemplative sort and doesn’t initiate conversation. I will have to send a weekly or bi-weekly interrogation form, as I call it.

Spending time with my hubby can be the simple act of watching a favourite TV show or going out for coffee. Ours is not a high maintenance marriage.

Before I go on, I must say that generating income is necessary for our financial well-being. I consider the time I spend doing so to be for my family.

When I was younger, I fretted about housework like most moms do. However, I discovered along the way that peace is far more important to me than a tidy house. If what I do truly benefits the family, I consider it worthwhile. If not, it can wait. (Just an FYI…I don’t consider “dirty” and “untidy” synonymous.)

My Relationship with Friends

I keep in touch with those who are Facebook fairly faithfully. However, I have found it too easy to lose touch with those who aren’t – and even some who are.

I used to use the postal system regularly. Perhaps, it’s time I did so again.

My Relationship with Church Family

Faithful church attendance, participation in the children’s mid-week program,  and regular attendance at our Thursday night Growth Groups has seen these relationships grow. I also participate in the sound room ministry, which means practice on Saturday morning.

My Relationship with Extended Family

At this point, I want to take a moment and say that I’m not mentioning my extended family at this point because they are last in order of importance. However, with my schedule and responsibilities as they are, I spend very little time with family. We try to visit my mother-in-law monthly and get together with my side of the family once or twice a year. Plus, if there is a special occasion and there is any way I can attend, I try to make it. Other than that, I again rely on Facebook.

My Other Relationships

Writing and editing clients. Doula clients. Social contacts. Professional contacts. Volunteer contacts. It is my aim to encourage whomever I come in contact with, treating others the way I want to be treated…except telemarketers – I hang up on them before they even say hello. (grin)

Simply Put First Things First

Ever been confronted by your mortality?

It might have something to do with the memorial service we attended this week…the fact that I’m in my fifties…the fact that our pet rabbit passed away…

It isn’t my intention to make this a morbid post, just a thought-provoking one.

While decluttering our home is important – and high on my priority list – even more important, is decluttering my mind.

How am I going to go about doing that?

1. Remind myself of my personal priorities.

2. Each day seek to do the most important thing first, the second most important thing next, etc.

3. Try to stick to my schedule – while giving myself enough leeway to attend to situations that might crop up unexpectedly.

4. Adding regular exercise to my schedule – and doing it. I know I will feel better physically and emotionally and will accomplish far more if I do so.

5. Add decluttering room by room to my schedule without putting undo pressure on myself and doing the little things before they become big things.

6. Limit my time on the social networks. (For me, that will probably mean checking in four times per day.)

7. Remember the value of simply hanging out with family and friends. It isn’t all about doing. In fact, while I have other things I need to accomplish, this is, by far, one of my top priorities.

When choosing my priorities, I don’t have to be preoccupied with my mortality, but I do have to take it into account. There are things I want to get done, and I must keep them before me because I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

One Step at a Time

This week, I’ve decided to clear some of those things off my To Do list that have been there far too long.

Most days I try to accomplish far too much. Because I set unrealistic goals, I often get discouraged and don’t even accomplish what I could, but I’m learning.

Here are some practical steps for making serious headway.

1. Each day choose one thing to accomplish that you’ve been putting off.

2. Instead of trying to do a little bit of everything each day, devote the day – or a significant part of it – to one thing you want to get done. For example, I am working on finishing up my birth doula certification requirements. If I devoted a full day to this, I could make tremendous headway.

3. And for those big projects…break them down into smaller segments. Be pleased when you get even a little done.

4. It might be a good idea to work backwards. Start by doing those things you’ve been putting off the longest. They probably weigh on you the heaviest, and it will feel great when you can cross them off the list.

5. I often put off things I don’t particularly enjoy. Again, doing one per day can help get them done without overloading you.

6. Don’t add anything to your To Do list that isn’t absolutely necessary without clearing off some, if not all, of the long neglected items.

A word of warning…If you’re like me, it’s possible to stay at one thing too long. When I was tidying up the master bedroom, I found myself getting aggravated. It may be wise to quit before you reach that stage.

Let’s give procrastination the boot.

Not Perfect, But…

Here are some tips for those of us who will never be perfect housekeepers but want to do better.

1. Toss the laundry in the washer in the evening and in the dryer before bed. Fold it in the a.m. At least it will be clean and available from the laundry basket. (Avoid buying clothes that wrinkle easily.)

2. Wash the dishes and leave them to air dry overnight. Clean and put away is great. Clean…well, that’s still very good.

3. As much as it doesn’t seem to make a difference, keep the list of bookmarks on your computer to a minimum. Do the same with the emails you save. If you’re never going to get around to reading them, they just weigh you down if you know they’re there.

4. The same is true of paperwork. If you don’t need it, chuck it. If you’re concerned about discarding personal info, buy an inexpensive paper shredder.

5. No matter the size, if you work from home, try to keep the area tidy. It will help you be more productive.

6. If you have a family, work on things together. Unfortunately, I never got into the habit of assigning regular chores to my kids.

7. Prioritize. As I’ve mentioned before, I do my best to keep the rabbit cage clean. Since Bunny is an indoor pet, I want to be sure, those who visit don’t know he’s here unless they see him. There are other things I try to keep up with as well.

8. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” So the saying goes. With that in mind, it’s a great idea to keep you’re entryway clean and free of clutter.

9. If you, like me, often feel as if there are too few hours in the day, try this: Be honest about where you spend your time. Of course it’s important to set aside downtime, but think about how you can be more productive. See if you can apply the adage, “Work smarter, not harder.”

10. Do you have a life mission statement? If not, try summing up in one sentence what you ultimately want to achieve. Weigh the things you spend time doing. Are they bringing you closer to your goal? If not, can you eliminate them or at least significantly cut back on the time you spend on them.