Do you feel like you’re always competing against time? You do? Great, because I do too. As I take on more responsibilities I feel my life has grown overworked and overstressed. So I think it’s time I try to simplify some things.
Here are some of the things I think I can do to help streamline my life and alleviate the growing stress.
Prep for the next work day. Mornings are busy enough and I think one way I can add a little time back in my day is to lay my clothes out the night before (ironed, if necessary) and pack my bag (gym clothes included) for work and leave it by the door so I can pick it up on my way out.
Wake up early and write a task list. I think that if I go into the day prepared I can be more efficient, so I’m going to try to wake up 10 minutes early and write a task list for the day, categorizing my tasks by what I need to complete vs. what I want to complete.
Minimize distractions at work. Some distractions can’t be avoided, but some can. While at work, I plan to turn off my MSN messenger and only check e-mail periodically (if they need me bad enough, they can call me!).
Add more time to the end of my day. After work, I plan to pick only 2 hours of TV for the week and reduce my internet time to 15 minutes per day. It should give me more time to call my parents and maybe even finish that book I started three years ago.
Get organized. I plan to put all my important information (account numbers, passwords) in a secure location so I won’t have to remember all my different passwords and the information will be easily accessible for future look-up. I’m also going to sign up for automatic deduction for all my bills so I don’t have to deal with checks and postage stamps.
Plan Ahead. I am going to make all my necessary appointments (hair cuts, auto check-ups, dental appointments) for the rest of the year. Plus, I am going to load up on greeting cards (birthday, mother’s day, thank you) and actually send them out on time.
Don’t forget to look below for the answer to Puzzle #1 from last week.
Justin – A Lumen
Question:
Which one of these sentences is the odd one out?
David ushered cartooned kittens.
Simon wanted another nail.
Every artistic girl loves Easter.
Badgers rarely eat any more.
Will rabbits eat nettles?
Can rare animals nobble elephants?
Answer: The fourth sentence, “Badgers rarely eat any more”. The initial letters of the words spell Bream, a fish. The other sentences all spell birds.