October 29, 2017
Always The Write Time
Happiness, Uncategorized
balance, burden, commitment, Henry David Thoreau, multitasking, prioritize, sacrifice, simplify, space, surrender
The boss and I were discussing a non-work-related topic and I mentioned “not having time.” He said that depended on the level of importance I placed on accomplishing a particular task. And that it would, of course, require a sacrifice of something else on my agenda. Ah yes, the sacrifice. Herein lies the conundrum: I refuse to surrender a couple big-ticket commitments. Although I’ve unloaded one burden (see “When you run out of margin…”) that will free up space, I still struggle to carve out time to do the things I need to do and those things I want to do. Not to mention the 7-8 hours of sleep I should log in each night. I’ve juggled, rearranged and finagled my morning and evening schedules. I’ve simplified, multitasked, prioritized and modified habits and routines. Yet I continue to wrestle with this challenge. Perhaps the answer is to re-examine my needs and wants to find a balance between the two.
What are you willing to sacrifice for more time?
January 16, 2016
Always The Write Time
Author, Editing, Happiness, Publishing, Writing
2016, balance, easy life, intention, mindset, multitasking, New Year's, practice, re-energize, rewards, routine, simplify, work hard and play hard
I have likely arrived at the ‘beating a topic to a pulp’ phase. Yet, when you find something that works, you want to spread the word—it’s about my intention this year to simplify. It’s taken me about 10 days to settle into my routine and, not only have I enjoyed several rewards of living more simply—which is a mindset, as well as a tangible practice—but the side benefit has been increasing balance (last year’s goal). Three words: ditch the multitasking. Yes I’ve written blogs on the topic (e.g., Multitasking equals write thinking); however, checking off a few extra items in the planner does not a simpler life make. But since I’ve put my Clear-Cut Chore Chart in motion, I ‘located’ extra time to do the things that re-energize me—like reading and writing more, coloring and doing puzzles—while maintaining my well-being and home, and cultivating family, friends and outside pursuits. Five words: work hard and play hard.
How’s your New Year’s intention working out?
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
September 22, 2012
Always The Write Time
Author, Editing, Nontraditional College Graduate, Publishing, scribes @ ASU, Uncategorized, Writing
care package, listen, multitasking, patience, pause, Someday, Today
[Image credit: m_bartosch]
My oldest sister regularly sends me “snail mail” care packages. Sometimes these mailings include a card; other times articles, recipes, devotionals or cartoons. A recent blurb she clipped out for me was “Living in the Here and Now,” which talked about focusing on … well … the here and now. I frequently cover this concept in my posts when I get carried away with my dreams for Someday and lose sight of Today. The article goes on to cite a few tips to help us appreciate the present. 1) Avoid multitasking (oops, that’s my middle name) by giving our attention to either a person we’re with or job we’re doing; 2) pause by taking a breath before answering the phone or checking email; 3) listen to our bodies because emotions can trigger physical responses; 4) remain active … and involved; 5) scratch the to-do list (did you hear that, Franklin?) and 6) be patient — this doesn’t happen overnight.
How are you at living in the here and now?
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