This is the intention I have set for today, because I have no other choice but to complete every item on the long to-do list I composed before bed last night.
Here’s the thing: being in total control of my day-to-day schedule is harder than I thought it would be. I’m an extremely motivated and hard-working person, so I had no doubt I would be disciplined enough to structure my workdays well and get everything done.
But you know what they say about tasks stretching to fill the amount of time you have available to do them? Extremely true — and my friend Kimberly S. Moore (a time management vet who has even written an e-book on the topic) assured me that I’m not the only one who has struggled with this.
So did my mom, who I called just recently to express the guilt I felt due to my lack of super-human productivity. She has lots of experience being self-employed, and possesses more self-discipline than anyone I know. But her comments echoed Kimberly’s as she promised that my struggle is completely normal, and that I will find my rhythm.
Today is the day I find my rhythm. No better day than the Friday before a long weekend. Yes, I have a monster list of tasks ahead of me, but I have a plan. And since I’ve titled this blog post “The Most Productive Day Ever” and furthermore, made it a Friday Fave, my only option is to follow through!
100% agree. I am the queen of last minute, so I’ve found that scheduling every hour of my day helps tremendously. I estimate the time to do a task, and often finish early! Make sure you schedule breaks as well. Without the interaction of coworkers, you can feel listless pretty soon!
I am having luck with that strategy so far today! And yes, breaks are definitely important. I’m still getting used to not having coworkers pop into my office throughout the day, but I’ll get there. Thanks for your input, Natalie :)
Cheers to your super productivity today! Love that you are finding your rhythm today. May it become crystal clear and totally apparent to you today, so that it spills over into next week and the next and the next… So that the rhythm, the peace, and the joy is all revealed to you over and over.
Have a wonderful Labor Day full of laziness and taking it easy (or productivity and whatever is on the agenda) =)
Thanks so much, Kat! I’m aiming for the perfect combo of laziness and continued productivity this weekend…you enjoy it as well!
I am so there with you! I have almost completed the first week of my doctoral program and I am aware now more than ever that time management is going to be the key to being successful and keeping my sanity for the next 5 years- just one class (of 6) has a syllabus 17 pages long! I am balancing my studies with hospice work, I currently have a caseload of 16 patients, and home life, hubby, house, etc. Needless to say I have a giant day planner and I am upgrading my smartphone so I can sync up with outlook, etc to keep me totally on track with all my responsibilities. We can do it! :)
Allison – we both SO have this in the bag ;) The smartphone will help a ton, although I will always be a huge proponent of handwritten lists. So excited for you and your big adventure!
I know me too! There are few things more immediately satisfying than crossing a task off a ‘to do’ list by putting a big line through it ;)
Hi Rachel,
Love to hear about your lists:) That way I don’t feel like I’m the only one running around “doing”. I’m a doer today myself and wish you expanded time so it magically all gets done and fits in with space for breathing, smiling and socializing too. Have a great weekend!
There was lots of doing, breathing, smiling, and socializing today, Susan! Hope your day was full of all that, as well! Happy weekend :D
With you in spirit as I too have declared a productive day of things to do before the long weekend…onwards and upwards…
I hope it worked out as well for you as it did for me, Roxy!!
Thanks for the motivational boost Rachel! Here’s to cranking away at to-do lists, hooray!