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The clock is ticking toward the end of summer, and straight in to the crazy-busy days of a new school year. It often feels more like the start of a new year in September than it does in January as we gear up for new schedules, new projects, and all the things we put on hold to enjoy some summer fun. Now all we need to do is find the time to accomplish it all.
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We all get the same 24 hours in a day, Yet, why does it feel as if there just isn't enough time to get everything done? One of the reasons may be that we just don't really know how we're spending our time. Have you ever heard yourself say, 'I'll be there in a minute' or 'It'll only take me a second"? True, these are everyday phrases that are used as placeholders for whatever is keeping us from doing whatever it is on time. And we take a form of poetic license in reciting these phrases, but are we truly aware of how we spend our time?
Here's a little exercise. For the next few days (or at least a day), from the time you wake up until the time to go to sleep, write down everything you do, and exactly how much time it takes to do it. (This can be done by category vs. task. For instance, you can track getting ready in the morning, or household chores, or looking at social media.) When you look back at your list, did you spend more or less time doing any one particular thing? Surprised?
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Luckily, there are very easy things that can be done to help keep track of how you spend your time. They need not be fancy or complicated, and they all begin with you!. After all, what you are really managing are your choices, not the clock on the wall.These tools can help to support your efforts.
- A time map is a visual tool to help structure your days by reserving blocks of time for life's core activities like work or school, family or personal time. It allows you to make decisions about what to do and when to do it while keeping your eye on the big picture.
- A calendar or planner, something we're all used to seeing, is a basic tool for capturing and keeping track of appointments on specific days and times, and provides an overview of your schedule across any period of time. There are a variety of styles to choose from, and many include space for storing information and jotting down notes associated with scheduled appointments.Choosing a paper or electronic version is purely a matter of preference.
- A To Do List is an important tool for alleviating your brain of having to remember to do something on any given day. Write it down! It's helpful to prioritize your list and set a timeframe around each item, so you can get to the fun part-crossing it off the list.
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So often in organizing, reference is made to containers. Well, think of the hours in your day as containers of time. Using some time-tested tools will put you in charge, give you more control and not leave you wondering, where did the time go?
Happy ORGANiZiNG,
Nancy Patsios
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