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?

Surprise!

I popped over to the public domain clipart site I use looking for a happy face to illustrate that I am looking forward to the week ahead…and there he was. I just couldn’t resist this sad little alien. (I couldn’t help but think how much my friend Janet would like this little guy. You can check out her blog here.)

Oo…I just had a great idea for next week’s Monday Motivation post over at Christian Editing Services. Nope, I’m not going to tell. That would spoil the surprise. You’ll have to stop by next Monday and check it out. (Feel free to stop by before then and see what it’s all about.)

Anyhoo, back to today’s surprise. While making plans and following through is good and all, sometimes we get sidetracked or diverted. There are times that’s not so great. At others, however, it leads in a fun, unexpected direction.

This find was serendipitous. (Isn’t that a great word?)  One of these “happy accidents” happened to my son and me just this morning. We were on our way to drop him off to catch the Robert Q for his business trip to Japan when he asked me to stop to get him a bottle of water. We pulled into the gas station right beside the inn where he was to catch the shuttle. The only thing was that he thought we were supposed to go to a different location. Wow!

As a Christian, I see these happenings as evidence of God’s grace. While I don’t pray about things like coming across alien clipart, I do know that the Lord is interested in the smallest details of our lives (like the little things that bring a smile)…and the not-so-little details (like my son being in the right place at the right time).

May your week overflow with serendipitous moments…that just might not be “accidents” after all.

Mother’s Day Weekend ROW Check-in

To all you moms out there: I hope you have a super terrific Mother’s Day. (For those of you who aren’t moms or who do not live where Mother’s Day is celebrated this weekend, I still hope you have a great weekend.)

Doula Certification Requirements

The end is in sight. (And I received a phone call from another potential client. Hooray!)

Still left to do…

~ listen to at least two hours of webinar material and write up detailed reports on what I’ve learned (Saturday)

~ complete my open book test (Last section to be completed on Saturday.)

~ 1,500-word research paper (Sunday)

~ complete the required reading (I plan to finish the book this weekend.)

~ secure two letters of recommendation (I hope to pick these up at the first of the week so I can fire off my package to CAPPA Canada.)

Build Business & Editing Goals

Editing Projects ~ looking good

Writing Projects ~ putting together a pitch for a screenplay on Monday; other than that, nothing definite in the queue

Other ~ waiting to hear in one area; planning my next move in others

Writing Goals

Blogging ~ Busyness in other areas means the inspiration is somewhat sparse.

Other writing ~ only dreams for now

Submissions

My goal this week is to make six submissions by midnight Saturday. (Make that midnight Sunday.)

Reading Goals

Reading for my doula certification course ~ see above

Blog hop ~ I’ve done a lot of hopping this week at the John 3:16 Marketing Network Blog Hop (start here). The opportunity to win prizes ends soon. Hurry and check it out if you’re interested.

Reading to maintain my PTS certification ~ I’ll do this next week.

Skills development ~ I’ve got to take advantage of my trial membership with the Best Seller Society before it expires. You can check it out here.

Fiction ~ maybe when things slow down

Exercise & Fitness Goals

~ slipping up in the area of healthy eating, but tomorrow’s a new day

~ moving in the right direction, with lots of room yet for improvement, re: exercise

Row Specific Goals

Check-ins ~ on target

Connect with fellow ROWers ~ I’m finally doing better.

My son is off to Japan for work. (We live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.) He’s pretty excited. I travel via novels and the Internet. He loves doing the real thing – though he’s not a fan of flying; his stomach isn’t anyway.

What’s your dream destination? Why?

Some days…

 

I had one of those dreams last night: nothing terrible, it just left me feeling blah. So, in typical Seuss-esque fashion, I thought I’d share my thoughts with you.

smiling and singing

some days I soar

some days I’m draggy

stuck to the floor

some days I’m flying

way overhead

some days I’d rather

stay in my bed

sunshine and grey skies

make up the days

joy and excitement

some days a haze

so whether I’m grinning

or feeling quite blue

i know there is blessing

this much is true

for He doesn’t change

in good time or bad

He’ll keep me soaring

and that makes me glad

 

Relationships Make Me Soar

It isn’t about how many friends I have on Facebook or how many followers I have on Twitter. It isn’t about my connections through Linked In or subscribers to my blog.

All of these things are great, but for me it really isn’t about the numbers. It’s about the real, live people behind those numbers. In case you’re a new reader or haven’t picked it up yet, I’m all about relationships. Statistical analysis (though it definitely has it’s place) and numbers in general (though my creditors would beg to differ) aren’t what life is all about.

Is it because I’m addicted that my email and Facebook windows remain open most of the day? I hope not. I think it’s because I love to connect with people. This isn’t in lieu of spending time with them in person. I like to do that too.

As a personal trainer, I loved developing exercise programs for my clients. But more than that, I loved spending time encouraging them, letting them know they were valuable just the way they were. There are many reasons to exercise, but getting thinner and stronger does not give one more worth as a human being.

And, as a birth doula, I can’t imagine a greater privilege than educating expectant couples about their options and being their when their little one makes an appearance. When birth ceases to bring tears to my eyes and a sense of wonder to my heart, it’s time to find a different line of work.

As a writer, it’s about connecting with my readers, encouraging them, blessing them. As an editor, it’s not just about polishing my clients’ writing. It’s about pointing out what I appreciate about their work, what they’ve done well, what I would highlight in a print version of their work.

Now, there is something you need to know. I am, by nature, an incredibly selfish and self-centred person. Any admirable qualities in my life are because of one thing and one thing only: Jesus Christ paid the price for my selfishness and because of that, I am what the Bible calls “a new creation.”

Good relationships and the opportunity to bless others makes me soar.  How about you? Remember, if we pursue who we were created to be and what we were created to do, we all benefit. Blessings as you soar.

Confessions of Progress

Don’t tell my fellow horrible housekeepers, but I’m actually making progress around here.

I’ve begun to wash the dishes daily. (Don’t laugh. That’s a big deal for me. Oh…go ahead and laugh. After all, that’s the point of this post.)

I cleared a path through the spare room to the kitchen from the living room. Confused yet? Well, for quite a while we had to go through the dining room and down the hall because there were boxes and various other items blocking the more direct route. (Don’t let it impress you too much. I just moved the obstacles into the spare room, and the doors will still be closed when we have company.)

I’m attacking my Procrastination List. As I cross off some long-neglected items, I find myself accomplishing some of the other, unwritten goals: things like taking dirty dishes into the kitchen when I’m going that way and putting things on my shelves instead of on the table – well, sometimes.

I’ve prepared a schedule with actual times on it. It’s working fairly well.

Speaking of specific times…My daughter and I have been hanging out from 3:00 to 4:00 each afternoon. Although we live under the same roof, you’d be surprised how little time we actually spend together. So far, we’ve watched a couple of TV shows and played a game of Scrabble. Today, we might play a game she likes. (grin)

Last Saturday, I dropped Son #2 off at the airport. He has officially begun his post-college, adult life. Now that I’m not planning going away celebrations and helping him get things in order, I can’t use that as an excuse anymore. Well, there is the matter of packing up the stuff he’d like us to ship out to him, but I’ll poke away at that. After all, his room is now my hubby’s office, and Dave doesn’t mind clutter. (See why I married him?)

Have a wonderful day and try to cross at least one thing off your Procrastination List. I’m off to do the same.

Help Them Fly

When they’re wandering in the valley,

Walk with them.

When they’re struggling up the mountain path,

Let your presence strengthen them.

When they stumble,

Offer them your hand.

When their eyes fill with tears,

Let yours be the shoulder they cry on.

When they need a listening ear,

Remember you have two.

When they need a word of encouragement,

Make it sincere and succinct.

When they’re victorious,

Cheer the loudest.

If they’re standing on the precipice ready to soar,

Offer to tandem jump with them.

If they’re looking for God – and even if they’re not,

Point them heavenward.

May 9 ROW Check-in

And again my goals get turned on their head.

Doula Certification Requirements

What I’ve yet to do this week to be DONE…

~ listen to at least two hours of webinar material and write up detailed reports on what I’ve learned

~ complete my open book test (Because I don’t know how much each question is worth, I am erring on the side of making my answers too lengthy.)

~ 1,500-word research paper

~ complete the required reading

~ secure two letters of recommendation

Build Business & Editing Goals

Editing Projects ~ looking good

Writing Projects ~ nothing like reading market guides to inspire ideas; that and the need to pay bills

Other ~ waiting on word from potential employer; will start advertising doula business and maybe, just maybe push to get my personal training business up and going

Writing Goals

Blogging ~ I’m catching up.

Other writing ~ almost endless possibilities: picture books, articles, children’s chapbooks… (Being eclectically interested has it’s drawbacks. Sometimes it’s hard to focus.)

Submissions

My goal this week is to make six submissions by midnight Saturday.

Reading Goals

Reading for my doula certification course ~ bumped up my completion date from the end of next week to the end of this week

Blog hop ~ I’m enjoying popping by the various sites on the John 3:16 Marketing Network Blog Hop (start here)

Reading to maintain my PTS certification ~ I’ll do this next week.

Skills development ~ I have a trial membership with the Best Seller Society. I really should do some reading there before it expires. You can check it out here.

Fiction ~ remains low on the priority list at present

Exercise & Fitness Goals

~ beginning to make better food choices (could still do better)

~ have completed a brief resistance routine and have scheduled two workout sessions with my exercise buddy (s-l-0-w-l-y moving in the right direction)

Row Specific Goals

Check-ins ~ on target

Connect with fellow ROWers ~ My weekly goal is now to visit the blogs of twenty other ROWers and I’m actually on target.

And what’s you’re primary focus this week?

Motherwell Maternity Fitness Plan

As a personal trainer and birth doula, I was pleased to come across Bonnie Berk’s Motherwell Maternity Fitness Plan. Human Kinetics uses it as the text for their “Exercise and Pregnancy” course. (http://www.hkeducationcenter.com/)

Chapters include “Shaping Up Before Pregnancy,” “Eating for Fitness and Baby’s Health,” “Staying Motivated Through the Second Trimester,” “Fitness for the New Mom,” and eight others.

The text is rich with information, but is written in an understandable, approachable style. I also appreciate the line drawings and clear explanations of each exercise.

Motherwell… is a good read whether expectant moms are exercise enthusiasts or simply want to make healthier choices for themselves and their unborn babies.

One of the things I appreciate most is the author’s balanced approach to the information she offers. Without judgment, she shares what is, in most cases here in the West, standard practice. However, Berk offers clear insight on what would be considered “natural childbirth practices.”

If you want to do all you can to prepare for a natural birth or if you simply want to be as healthy as possible throughout your pregnancy and beyond, I recommend Motherwell Maternity Fitness Plan. I also recommend it to professionals who will be working with pregnant women.

As a Christian, I disagree with some of the information in the chapter about meditation, but would recommend this book regardless.

You can order it here.

Fly with Your Eyes Wide Open

It isn’t good to fly with one’s eyes closed.

Now, that may seem like a self-evident statement, but it was brought home to me recently.

Some people have a positive outlook on life. They seem to soar high above the rocky mountain paths and deep valleys others experience. It may be because they haven’t faced the same struggles or it may be because of their positive nature. Either way, too often the people on the paths or in the valleys are overlooked.

Either we are flying too high (not sure that’s possible) or flying with our eyes shut.

So, what are some of the solutions?

1. Take time to descend every now and then and look for those who are having a tough go of it.

2. Don’t minimize their struggle or offer cookie cutter advice. (Often, they can’t simply “shake it off” and take to the skies.)

3. Try to listen without passing judgment. (This is a toughy for me, especially if the one struggling is a family member.)

4. It’s okay not to have the answers. Even when we do, it may be best to keep them to ourselves for the time being.

5. Offer unconditional love. (Again, this can be difficult. However, even if a person’s situation is partly a result of poor choices, it doesn’t mean we should point it out. And it definitely doesn’t mean we should withdraw our love.)

6. If the individual asks for input, keep it brief. It’s best to let them process what you have to say little by little.

7. If you know of resources or individuals that could help, offer to pass along the information.

8. If the problem is serious, encourage the individual to seek the help he or she may need.

9. Do your very best not to come across as sounding superior, condescending, or judgmental.

10. Offer to pray, if not with, then for the individual – then do it.

To those who are struggling…Even when it doesn’t seem like it, there are people who care.

To those who are soaring…Keep an eye out. Your altitude can give you a great perspective, if you focus in the right place.