Here at the Little Wife household, I've been very mindful lately about being efficient- especially since I'm taking 14 online credits to finish up my degree this semester!
One of the things that I've noticed about myself is that I thrive on plans. Left to my own devices, after finishing a task (like a chapter of my homework), I'll check Facebook. Or Pinterest. And then I get sucked in, and an hour later, I'm kicking myself for wasting time that should have been much better spent. So then I work on another chapter of homework... and when I'm done, it's back to the Facebook. Or Pinterest.
It's not that I don't want to move on to the next thing, that's not the problem. The issue is that I'm not always sure what that next thing should be. Should I fold laundry, or should I read another chapter? Should I work on my Algebra homework, or should I clean the bathroom? That little bit of indecisiveness leads to procrastination, and that is definitely not being efficient.
My solution is to make a schedule. I have a small piece of cardstock paper (actually trimmings from when I made my wedding invitations), and I write, to the minute, my schedule for the day. It also helps that I know how much I can handle. After an hour staring at the computer doing Math, I need to get up and move a little! I plan small breaks into my day to allow me some "up and around" time.
Here's today's schedule:
6:30- Devotional time, activity with the hubby
7:30- Breakfast, clean up dishes, put away clean dishes
8:15- Dance workout!
9:00- Shower and dress
9:30- Start laundry, wipe down kitchen counters
9:40- Look for last resource- Lit paper
10:00- Algebra Ch.2 section 4
11:00- Switch laundry, sweep kitchen floor
11:15- Lit Reading- first piece
11: 50- Take out garbage
12:00- Lunch
1:00- Algebra Ch. 2, section 5
2:00- 15 minute tidy up
2:15- Finite Math
3:15- Fold and put away laundry
3:30- Lit Reading- second piece
4:00- Lit Discussion Responses
And it goes on. You get the picture.
Now instead of wasting time (and falling into avoiding everything by sitting and watching TV when I just can't decide what to tackle next), I make a list in the morning, or even the night before, and make a schedule for my day. No more inefficiency! And boy, does it feel good to cross stuff off my list!
I can't handle a schedule that detailed - it makes me feel claustrophobic. I can barely handle a regular to-do list. As soon as I write it down, I don't want to do it. It's like the list is bossing me. My husband says, "But you made the list!" It doesn't matter. If I do a "schedule", the best I can do is blocks like morning, afternoon and evening. And that can be very effective, if I'm in the right mood.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you found something that works great for you. Good job! And great job on being so productive!