The Time Trap...

While we battle excess and clutter, we simultaneously find time in short supply. Once I became a parent, time dramatically shifted. When I was an employee working 50+ hours/week outside the home, there was ample time to keep the house picked up, go to appointments, run oodles of errands, and maintain an awesome social life to boot! How could a child upset all of this? Easily.

Remarkably, as a stay at home mom with MORE hours in the home, I find the freedom of my schedule to also be a deterrent to accomplishing things. It is too easy to lose focus or procrastinate. Somewhere along the way, I realized I thrive on flexibility but also require self discipline. Unfinished projects and revolving To Do lists do not give me personal peace nor do they make me a successful parent and spouse. MY TIME IS VERY VALUABLE. Many days are never ending, and I am never really "off the clock". As such, I tend to be very picky with one of the few things I can control in my day - how I spend my time. To combat the time trap and bypass chaos, I plan my days based upon:

HAVE TO - non-negotiable, time-sensitive - such as home, auto, doctor appointments.

NEED TO - flexible, yet necessary - such as groceries, housework, laundry.

WANT TO - wishful, yet not imperative - such as a play date or major project.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Give yourself a learning period to understand how your days and weeks flow.
  
• Plan each day based upon what Has To be done. Then add what Needs To be done. Lastly, schedule a Want To (if time allows).
  
• Keep the list small, simple, and realistic - some days just don't allow for Want Tos.
  
• Do not underestimate your abilities to complete tasks - be willing to set major goals.
  
• Do not overestimate your available time. You will only feel defeat when nothing gets done.
  
• Never over schedule unless there is ABSOLUTELY nothing you can do. Murphy's Law will inevitably kick in and your stress level and sanity will suffer.
  
• Never feel guilty to say NO to something that does not work for your family. It's unfair to compromise your vision. That being said, do not let your friends and family members down when they need you - be true to your heart.
  

Sometimes it is unavoidable. Life just needs to be complicated. But that doesn't mean all of the time. Allow for Nothing Moments and fill them happily with a neighborhood walk, a long snuggle with your child, or a hobby. Recharge. You don't need to be busy to feel important in this world. I just look at my family to know my purpose.

By: Methodical Mom