Keep Things Doable
I don’t know about you, but when there is too much to do I often find myself feeling overwhelmed which in turn leads me under doing. No matter what we do, or where we live, if we have a family there is never enough time. That’s a fact!
Living on a Greek island where tourism is what provides most of us with work means our year has a definite divide. We have the winter where work is scarce, but there is plenty of time to catch up and relax. And then there is the summer which is crazy, mad, bonkers and all the rest of it.
Summer here also sees many people working long hours seven days a week, which in my opinion is wrong, as a day off wouldn’t hurt! In fact, a day off a week would probably be beneficial to everyone, businesses and workers alike! But what do I know?
This Year It’s Been All Change
Recently I started a new job that I’m really loving. The job is part-time, so I am one of the lucky ones and get time to catch my breath. It is also a year-round job, which means I’ve had to come up with an approach that allows me to do the things I want to (and the things I don’t) otherwise all work and running around after the family will make me a very dull (and unhappy) person!.
The first couple of weeks at work my head was so buzzing with new things I’m having to learn that it shut down by the time I got home from work. I was having trouble making time to blog and exercise, both of which are important to me and make me happy. I knew things had to change.
My Approach
When my brain settled down and got used to the learning, I came up with a plan to keep things doable. Which basically means being realistic! After all, there are only so many hours in the day.
Timers
Timers are playing a big part in helping me keep things doable. We all know that there are only so many hours in a day, so why do we expect to fit in more than is realistic? By setting a timer I have found I am getting things done and my focus on the task at hand is much better.
These days most of us have a mobile phone, which often has a timer or countdown installed. If not it is easy enough to go to the app store and install one. I have created several ready to press timers on my laptop and the timer on my oven has never been used so much!
When I sat down to write this post I set a half hour countdown (which has just gone off), which is a pain as I am mid flow. What it means though is that I have started this post. Without the timer, I would probably have thought I don’t have time and would not have even started typing!… Now I have ten minutes for a shower! Best dash. See you later!
Helllllooooo I’m Back!…
…With an hour on the timer this time!
Using a timer has helped me (with some help from the family) to get housework done too. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before as with a half hour timer on I’ve noticed the mucking in is a lot more forthcoming!
Since starting work I have not managed to exercise as I like to. Last week I managed to get out twice for an early morning plod. Using the timer later in the day has given me the motivation to workout later in the day too. I figured that twenty minutes using weights or stretching has to be better than nothing and I do feel better for it. Even if it’s not every day.
Time in the garden and time spent doing things with the dogs is also timed. Which may sound a little extreme, but it works. At the end of the day, I can look back and know that I have spent time doing things that needed doing or I wanted to do, rather than wish I had the time to do more.
Go On Give It Try! Keep Things Doable!
Just think; ten minutes tidying up is better than none, twenty minutes is even better. Half an hour blogging or exercising is better than nothing and if you can manage both that’s sixty minutes doing things that will make you feel good. Think of the positive vibes!
You can even set a timer to give you time to sit and enjoy a coffee and a browse of the newspaper or Facebook without feeling guilty (just so long as you listen to the timer when it goes off!).
There will be times when you just want to be, with no deadlines or time limits and that’s okay too. Those moments will be enjoyed all the more for knowing you’ve got things done!
Using a timer has certainly helped me keep things doable. Will you give it a go?
© 2017, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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