A Lesson in Time Management

This week I made a goal to evaluate my time management.  The first step was deciding what exactly I should be doing with my free time.  I found this great image:

Now, typically  my weekends were spent doing laundry, paying bills, cleaning the house, and prepping for the coming week.  All the wrong decisions according to Forbes - go figure.  Now, the one that really caught my attention was number 7 "Avoid Chores".  How on earth was I going to make this happen - I don't have time during the work week and I can't exactly ignore my house and laundry.  In addition, growing up, Saturday was ALWAYS clean the house day!  So the next question I pondered...where can I find more time during the workweek?  My day begins at 5:00 AM and doesn't seem to end until a go to bed.  I found this little gem about gaining control of my "free time" and it really made me think, what am I doing during the workweek?

So between my list of what not to do on the weekends and regaining control of of my free time, here is the chore schedule I created for myself this week.

Monday: Living Room and Guest Bedroom

Tuesday: Laundry and Bathroom

Wednesday: Upstairs

Thursday:  Kitchen and Grocery List

Friday:  Laundry and Grocery Shopping

Now, when I started this I quickly figured out that I still needed time to run each day and play with my son, and perhaps have a conversation or two with my husband!  So, take a deep breath, I started my day at 4:00 AM.  I began with a small breakfast, ran on the treadmill and put dishes away.  By 5:00 AM I gave my son his morning bottle, laid him back down and began to get ready for work.  By the time I left the house for work and to take him to daycare, everything was picked up and dinner taken out.

After work, I would pick Miles up, cook dinner, have some play time and reading time with him and then followed his bedtime routine.  I would then spring into action and do my chores.  I found that with all that being said I was still done by 8:30 - 9:00 ish.  

This weekend has been great, no laundry, no house cleaning, just time with my family and focusing on my personal goals.  Lesson learned:  it works for me!  Not only did it work, but if I did not have the morning routine (which happened on Thursday) my entire day was off.

Now, this schedule may not work for you.  You may look at the 4:00 AM start and think "oh hell no".  The key is to think about what you want to achieve on the weekends, what needs to be removed to do so and find time during the workweek to get those done.  Good Luck!

2017 - The Year of Life

While many people are referring to 2016 as the year of the dumpster fire, with so many deaths, a nasty presidential election, and country literally torn in two from police support to education - who wouldn't want the year to end.  But I have a different viewpoint.  It was the first year of my son's life and a great one at that.  He has learned to walk, talk, eat on his own and develop in so many magical ways that this year could never be replaced for me.  My baby is growing up.

However, here is an example of why 2016 has a bad wrap.  Dear family friends recently lost their son to a tragic accident.  At the young age of 23, Evan will never again grace us with his smile.  Even though I have not seen this young man in a number of years, watching him grow up through photos and Facebook made me think about what a wonderful young man he had become and what an amazing future he had in store for him.  Too soon, a life taken too soon from his family and friends.

Tonight, as I rock my baby to sleep, I think what if, what if in 22 years or sooner a tragic accident happens to my son. Words could not describe the emotions that ran through me as a mom and the fear for his future. Then realization hit quickly after and I took a deep breath.  Fear should not be what I am feeling, but rather hope, joy and love for what the next however many years has in store.  His future is his own and it will be an adventure to watch it unfold.  So with the end of all the tragedy that makes up 2016, I plan to remember the greatness and move into 2017 with a new focus.

I have always struggled balancing life and work - a guilty confession from a working mom.  Now that my husband is starting a new job, which will create less family time, I now have to get a grip with what my balance should be.  My family will be my number one focus for 2017.  While I have set some personal goals for work, running, and writing, nothing will take precedence over my son and husband.  

One of the saddest and greatest things about Facebook, is seeing how people can be remembered.  I did not know Evan well as he got older, but everyone has indicated his laugh and outlook on life were unforgettable. Stink, if there is one lasting impression you have made, know that your life was important to those around you and you have made this mom reevaluate her outlook and priorities.  Thank you for the memories I have of you and you will be missed.