Bev tagged me to write about a few things that help me manage my time. At first I laughed a little bit because I can be a total procrastinator and some days waste time as if I were trying to win some form of Time Wasting Competition (that would be a terribly original name for such a contest, wouldn’t it?).
But there are several things I do around here that make life easier and more efficient.
1. I keep one of those dry erase board calendars on my refrigerator. Every month I take Alex’s Mother’s Day Out calendar and list everything on my calendar…due dates, picture days, birthday parties, etc. I list everything that we have going on at church, everything D. and I have happening, and bascially put our entire month’s schedule on there. It keeps me sane.
2. I catch up on phone calls when I’m sitting in traffic. There’s been all kinds of construction on the road that leads to our house, and inevitably I’ll pick A. up from Mother’s Day Out and end up sitting in traffic for 30 minutes trying to get up the mountain. It’s a great time to return calls, check in on friends, etc., especially considering that Alex is typically sound asleep in the backseat within five minutes of picking him up.
And yes, I’m very, very careful when I use the phone in the car. I hold the phone at the 10 and 2 position, plus I dial and hang up with the same foot – none of that two footed dialing in my car. No ma’am.
3. I make my grocery list in order of the aisles in the store [now I’m ducking so that I’m not hit by the objects y’all are hurling at your computer screens]. But it helps me so much…time is of the essence when grocery shopping with a toddler who considers it his life’s mission to become close, personal friends with all the Publix customers and employees.
Now that I’ve written this post, it feels a little like the Works For Me Wednesday that Shannon does, so just consider it Works For Me Wednesday, two days late – which is very much in keeping with my procrastinatory* tendencies – as well as Time Management 101, which is what Bev asked me to do in the fist place. Killing two birds with one stone, if you will. Though I’m certainly not advocating the stoning of birds.
*And I totally just made up that word. At first I thought it really was a word, then I realized no, no it isn’t, but I’m leaving it because it’s my blog and I can.
On your number 1, I’ll go you one step further on time management. I take that cute little calender that they send home from school and I just slap that up onto my refrigerator. Then I put all of my schedule onto that….because, well honestly, I don’t have much of a schedule. (There’s a reason why, during the Nemo discussion, Sister suggested we get out of the house more.)
And I thought I was pretty good to pick things up with my feet, but I’ve never tried using my cell phone with them. I AM impressed!
When I was in Texas Leslie showed me her grocery list – made with the help of her husband, who bless his heart, does the shopping. He took his cell phone, shot photos of all the aisle labels, and took it home. She typed a list by aisle so he wouldnt go nuts trying to find stuff. I’d always put categories together, but what she and you are doing makes much more sense. And what works for me is time mgmt! None of us has enough – how on earth was Jesus never rushed? Must be that “fully God” part.
I kind of do the same with my grocery list but my categories are more broad. Dairy, meat, frozen, grocery, misc, produce. They are in the order of how I shop in the store! I may even rewrite my list so all of the same items are together. IE veggies, breads, tomato/pasta products. No spreadsheets here though. I like the good ole’ paper and pen.
I have no time management comment.
I just wanted to say that I appreciate the Bangles/”Hazy Shade of Winter”/Less Than Zero reference. :)
I’m obsessed with your sub-heads, but don’t worry I’m getting therapy for it.
Good tips! I’ll have to try that dialing with one foot thing.
Boomama, I will keep in touch, and am glad you do. Am busy finishing up two week notice at nursing job here, and getting ready to move where Barb, (A Chelsea Morning) lives, but plan to read all your blogs. I’m not sure you realize what a writer you are! Judith
I used to do my grocery list by aisle too. I made a little bitty spreadsheet with check boxes. It saved me so much time each week. I shop at too many stores now for that to make sense now.