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mommy4ever
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| Posted: April 25 2012 at 9:17am | IP Logged
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I'm HORRIBLE with this!
I am SO easily distracted. And by often NOTHING.
I will head downstairs to flip the laundry, then stumble over something on the way, stop to put it away, go back upstairs, and the laundry sits in the washer. It can be a day before I remember again.
There are days that go by, and it seems nothing that I wanted to get done has happened. The kids will be fed, school will be done, the daycare room tidied at the end of the day...but nothing else accomplished.
I know the computer is a distraction for me. SO I have my morning time, and then try to keep away other than school related items for the balance...I fail miserably most days, but it does help to be conscious of it.
But really? I have no idea where my time gets spent 
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: April 25 2012 at 10:23am | IP Logged
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Just like there's a lost sock universe, I also think there's a lost time universe because I turn around and it's 4 pm! And, I haven't accomplished anything!
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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Maureen
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| Posted: May 01 2012 at 3:31pm | IP Logged
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I am extremely distracted. I find that there are sooooo many things to be done that I don't know what should be done when. 
I have improved a little lately by writing down my goals for the day. I put a few things in the "Have To" category, more in the "Need To" category and only one or two in the "Want To" category.
Anyone else made progress in their time management?
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Maureen, mom to 8 treasures
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: May 01 2012 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
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No! Help! I feel like I get close and then something strikes - like the whole family gets long-lasting colds and it just changes things. I wrote a short list of 4 items last night of things I wanted to do today and I have done 1 of them. Lots of other things have been accomplished, even school <wink>, but those 3 things still remain on the list.
I know what needs to be done in my head. That makes it even more frustrating. Sometimes it's embarrasing to think back on the day. BUT, I do try to remember all of the little things that DID get done.
One day long ago when my husband made a comment about a playdate we had with friends (with deeper implications), I wrote down everything I did in one day. It was impressive. :)
So, mommy4ever, maybe you could try writing down what you do accomplish, let's say, tomorrow, and then you can try to add to that each day.
Oh, I just reread you post - having kids fed, school done, and the daycare room tidied is GREAT! But, I know what you mean.
Just babbling now and not offering much advice. Hang in there.
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 01 2012 at 6:26pm | IP Logged
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I use my full size Catholic planner to help keep me focused. I keep my lists simple, straightforward, manageable and keeping them in my planner means they just keep moving forward...right along with me when my week has been particularly full of life's redirections!
1) At the beginning of the week, I list the simple and realistic goals I'd like to get done at the beginning of the week. I list them on Monday.
2) I can see at a glance any appointments, feast days, outside the home commitments, and other obligations which I already have penciled in for the week and this helps me keep my expectations reasonable and realistic in terms of time management. Reasonable and realistic are KEY!!!
3) On Monday, I sometimes seem to have bionic powers.  Isn't that exciting???!!!! So, I get as much done as I can, crossing/checking off as I go. I have no idea where my bionic Monday powers came from, but I RUN WITH IT. It's probably because the house is usually tidied from the weekend chores, and I can jump right into my list.
4) Looking at my planner on Tuesday morning, I just bring forward the things I didn't get done on Monday, and see if I can whittle a couple more things off the list.
5) Repeat on Wednesday - Friday.
6) Saturday we do our regular housecleaning work with all the kids pitching in. We may also have a few extra chores and I list those on Saturday on my planner. If it doesn't get done, I just move it forward to Monday - my bionic work day!
7) And this process just repeats every week. It's not really sleek or sophisticated, but it has worked for me for years, and I think it does so because it's pretty simple and intuitive for me.
=====================================
Find what works for you! A paper planner -- post-it notes -- a whiteboard -- a list you can use on your smartphone -- whatever. What do you gravitate toward? Now, just make use of it. Let it be simple or unusual...as long as it's INTUITIVE!
In terms of stewarding time, I like to think of it exactly in that way - as stewardship. I may have plans for how I want to spend time; God may have other plans. I may have a good working list; and children may get sick. I may be rolling with some extraordinary momentum on a Monday; and crisis calls my attention somewhere else. The time does not belong to me. I can steward it as a gift as a way of being wholehearted in my vocation.
Stewarding the gift of time means I try to work with diligence, ever flexible to God's call to focus my time where He needs it. In joyfully serving my family, I've sometimes got to adjust my stewardship of time to serve them. It isn't always easy!!!!! So, I don't mind building in little oases in the day - a little time visiting here at 4Real, a chat with my mom or a dear friend - because these are good and wholesome ways to nurture my spirit and help me maintain my joy. Mom's need delight-filled breaks, too! And that is a priority of mine in how I steward some of my time! If I need help in setting some good boundaries in my "mother nurture" time, I set a timer.  And then get back on track....check the planner....cross another job off the list...and move along!
Sharing prayers with all you ladies for this intention! This is definitely one of those marathon jobs asked of us!
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: May 01 2012 at 7:53pm | IP Logged
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I have a schedule for the day that has helped me for the past couple of months, and I recently expanded it to include the specifics of housework. I have my monthly routine for daily and weekly chores on a single sheet of paper along with the rough schedule.
I am most explicit with my morning routine, partly because I'm groggy in the morning and can't remember anything before my coffee
So for instance, I have on the list to start a load of laundry right away, tidy the kitchen and start breakfast, then if I have time, I get to read quietly. I don't have a scheduled time to wake up, but I do have a scheduled time to serve breakfast. So, if I tidy at night and/or get up early, I have morning time. If the baby is a mess all night from teething, I can sleep,in a bit.
But the key is breakfast being that rigid peg on paper with all the things I need done before then written down. Then, after breakfast, I have another short list that includes "switch laundry"
And I have the time when my oldest must start schoolwork scheduled and then snack time is a rigid time, and that is when I do "morning basket." It is so easy to get everyone to come right away when I have food 
The thing is, as I write this, I'm having a hard time remembering exactly what all I have on the paper, and I have to look at it all the time to know what I'm supposed to do. I'm constantly looking at it and going "oh right, laundry" and I might do that twice before it gets switched if I get distracted. But the list in between the pegs is small, so I can scan it quickly and know if I've done it all.
I also have my house divided into zones. This is easy since I have a split level with four levels. M-Th I have a different zone for which I do the weekly chores, and then I have a different zone for weeks 1-4 for deep cleaning and de-cluttering.
This has really helped keep me from getting as overwhelmed or distracted as I typically have been. I can tell myself "you will take care of that on Thursday" or "you can tackle that closet next week when it is the upper level focus."
I used a mish-mash of methods that I've tried over the years, culling what didn't work for me and embracing what has, and I think I finally found a method that is at least a better balance for me than anything else I've tried. Having one piece of paper that doesn't change and that I can post in multiple places for easy reference has been good. Zoning has also helped me stay focused.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: May 01 2012 at 8:13pm | IP Logged
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I have a binder in which I keep the following lists:
Daily Chore List
Weekly Chore List
Zone Cleaning Lists (This is based on FlyLady, and I have special marks next to the jobs that each child can do/help.)
In the morning (after I get the kids set up with their milk and morning entertainment), I sit down with my coffee, my prayer books, a pen, and a blank index card. After I do my prayers, I make a "priority list" of those things on any of the other Chore Lists that need to be done TODAY. Sometimes there are extra things like setting up appointments.
Then I try to start with the chores on the TODAY list. Once I get as many of those as I can then I move to the ones on my Daily Chore List. If those all get completed, then I move to the Weekly Chore List, and if those have all been done I move to the FlyLady Zone of the week.
Most days I'm lucky to get through my TODAY list.
__________________
Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: May 01 2012 at 10:42pm | IP Logged
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I was deeply bothered, I do waste alot of time, I took it to confession. It was bothering me. I got some great insight.
While I AM busy with kids, school, daycare, Father discussed that being distracted, isn't always accidental. Duties at home aren't appealing, speaking honestly, so the computer, a good book, are infinitely more appealing, and a great way to avoid the duties I have. He suggested that some of the time, I may be using the excuse of being distracted, when some of the time what is really the issue is I am avoiding the work. 
He suggested that these things that I allow to eat away my time, such as a book, a computer, be strictly limited to a certain time of day, so that I get a better flow to my day. Moderation.
Now I'm failing miserable most of the time. BUT what I have had a little success with getting more done.
I have some of Fr. Barron's lectures, homily, and a CD that I have put on my mp3. I started using it. In the morning, I spend some time listening. I empty the dishwasher, load it, wipe the counters from the dh and kids making lunch and breakfasts . Get laundry started. All before my first dayhome child arrives or my 2 homeschoolers get up. That is a better start to the day.
I have gotten laundry nearly'caught up' this week, tomorrow I'll tackle the rest of it.
I also now take time to work through a study guide from Fr. Barron's cd. Which is something I've been really wanting. I don't actually write in the workbook, I do it journal style as i allow myself to go down rabbit trails that occur as I go through it.
I don't know, but having started doing that, seems to help my day some. I have to get new ones on there, so if anyone has some suggestions on speakers, I'd love to hear about it. It's not time spent in prayer, per say, but it is spiritual for me. I wish I could record one of the Fr's at our parish, he is an amazing speaker, with so much to teach and share.
Doing this has sparked some great prayer sessions for me. There seems to be an ongoing conversation in my head with God, Mary, Jesus since starting to listen to the homily's and lectures. It's also helping me practice patience. The other day, I had a particular hard day with the family, and I didn't get angry, I didn't lose my temper, I really wanted to go to the chapel and pray before the Blessed Sacrament(something new for me to feel that call). But I felt if I went out, the kids would be upset, so I pulled out some string and I taught them to weave friendship bracelets, and during the quiet times of companionship, I prayed. I hope to get to the chapel on Thursday.
Now the rest of the day, the computer calls to me and I fail to resist it  , but I try to limit it to just moments instead of an hour. I need to find a way to limit it more.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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Maureen
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| Posted: May 02 2012 at 8:11am | IP Logged
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Mackfam wrote:
In terms of stewarding time, I like to think of it exactly in that way - as stewardship. I may have plans for how I want to spend time; God may have other plans. I may have a good working list; and children may get sick. I may be rolling with some extraordinary momentum on a Monday; and crisis calls my attention somewhere else. The time does not belong to me. I can steward it as a gift as a way of being wholehearted in my vocation.
Stewarding the gift of time means I try to work with diligence, ever flexible to God's call to focus my time where He needs it. In joyfully serving my family, I've sometimes got to adjust my stewardship of time to serve them. |
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Maureen, mom to 8 treasures
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Struggling with time management
