Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Review - Chapter 2: Find More Time

Priorities.

Most people do what they do, because that is what they do. Why do they do it? Who knows. You need to know why you do things, and those things need to fit into your list of priorities.
Those are my words from what I got out of this chapter, not the authors.

Here are the authors words: This chapter explores your priorities and helps you determine where you want to spend your time in support of your plans. What are you committed to changing in your life?

Spend time with people who are dear to you.

-communicate your plans
----we have a "mom" calender in our kitchen. It has a column for each of us, and a blank column. I list everyone's activities each month, and family activities in the blank column. It takes a bit of time, but it well worth it. Everyone knows where they are supposed to be and when.

-Combine Activities
-------examples include taking walks as a family. You combine family time and exercise.

-Make get togethers a habit
--------make time for your friends. We do this. We go out with friends once or twice a month, and I have my bookclub once a month. I also try a girls' only night once a month. I think my friendships are my sanity.

-Volunteer:
----Do it as a family and combine activities! I used to do this with my daughter at the Humane Society. I really need to get back into that.

-Eliminate time-zapping activities. These include surfing the Internet and watching TV.
----One suggestion is to have one night a week that these activities are not allowed. I'm thinking of doing this. The night will probably change from week to week..........but I think I will choose the night that we are all home to do strictly family stuff, i.e. board games, Wii, reading together, etc...(we have TiVo, so missing a show won't happen, we'll just watch it in a more convenient time)

-Manage your children's activities.
----- they don't have to do every activity that comes their way.
-------we are not guilty of this.

-Make your health a priority.
----------We are working on this.
---Stop making excuses.
-----I am good at that, it will be hard to stop.

-Enjoy what you do
----It makes a world of difference.

-Continue to work your brain
----Take a class, do a workshop, read a book, learn a new hobby, go to conferences, etc...


My favorites?
Combining activities. I'm a pretty good multi-tasker, but I'm sure I can come up with some new stuff
Make a family night. This will begin soon. I need to spend more time with my family. And I don't mean time sitting on the couch blogging. Although I will blog about whatever we do!!
Take care of your health. I really do feel better when I do this.

1 comment:

Bree said...

Priorities are so true. You must decide what your priorities are in order to make life worthwhile to you. During my early 30s, my priorities were so screwed up and I feel like I lost those years to nothing. I love your list of priorities. Adult get-togethers are so hard to fit in.