“What’s the time Mr Wolf?”

What’s the time Mr Wolf?”

“What’s the time Mr Wolf?” – do you remember playing that game? You see we were already displaying a preoccupation with time even at Nursery school. It is an obsession that never seems to leave us. During those idyllic childhood days, time seemed to last an eternity especially when waiting for birthdays or Christmas.

As we matured, time seemed to accelerate; we all kidded ourselves that we had loads of time to revise before our exams. Now, as responsible adults with busy lives, suddenly time seems to have vanished altogether. There is never enough of it. So where does it all go?

Take my life for example. I like to keep busy which invariably leads to over-committing myself to the point of screaming uncontrollably, disappearing into the garden only to be later found quivering in a pathetic heap under the rhododendrons. I am a full time mother, freelance copywriter, writer, Open University student, charity volunteer and PTA Treasurer. My basic day involves trying to drag myself out of bed, trying to drag the boys out of bed, making packed lunches, making breakfast, feeding the dogs, encouraging the boys to pack their school bags, which usually ends up with me searching under beds and in cupboards trying to locate those ever illusive shin pads.

Then I need to get the boys to the bus stop in time to catch the school bus, return home to my desk and start work (pause for deep breath), make lunch, eat lunch, back to my desk, collect first child from school, begin first child’s homework whilst ironing/dusting/hoovering/bathroom cleaning, then the second child arrives home and the homework cycle starts again this time whilst cooking tea before rushing out to that particular evenings club. I finally return home to feed husband who has now returned from work, return to the office to commence that day’s study quota before collapsing on the sofa, glass of wine in hand to catch a bit of TV whilst husband snores in the arm chair.

Of course, I also have to fit dog walks, PTA meetings, voluntary work and gym visits in there too. Just as well there are 472 hours in every day! Aren’t there?

Time management is one of those skills that we all need, but where do we find the time to learn it? We are often advised to sit down, make a list of all the things we do in a day and the time spent doing them so we can identify where we are wasting time – great. But when are we supposed to have the time to sit down and write said list? Of course some of us are naturally talented in the time management arena.

Being a mother invariably means that you have honed those multi-tasking skills which help you claw back precious minutes during the day. I can often be found replying to emails with phone tucked under my chin talking to a client whilst ironing with my left hand, loading the dishwasher with my right and listening to my youngest son read with the ear that doesn’t have the phone pressed against it.

In an attempt to enhance my skills, I have trawled the internet to find some handy hints. Other than signing up to a course (that is of course if you have the time to attend one) or purchasing a rather over-priced book one could adopt the following ideas:

Write a ‘to do’ list

Yes, I know we all laughed at our mothers, grannies or batty aunts who used to litter their houses with lists, but I think they had something. I have a whiteboard in my kitchen where I can write down what I need to do over the week.

Since doing so I have never forgotten anything – well, other than the odd occasion when I have actually forgotten to write it on the whiteboard. At the end of the week, I simply wipe it clean and start again.

Prioritise your list – Don’t procrastinate!

Even if the most important job is your least favourite – get it done! You will then have the time to do the things you enjoy.

Plan your week

Ah, this is where my whiteboard comes into its own. It is situated on the wall beside the kitchen table. Therefore I see it every day!

Carry a note book

Hmm…not entirely convinced about this one. Personally I do carry a note book, but as a writer I have always done so as you never know when that blinding flash of inspiration is going to hit.

But I suppose if you are out and about and you suddenly remember something that you should have put on your ‘to do’ list, if you write it down there and then you’ll remember to include it in your schedule.

Learn to say no

Ok, this is one I do have to learn. I am constantly over committing myself. But if I want to remain sane and delay the onset of wrinkles and grey hair I shall just have to learn.

So there you go, now you can prioritise, say no and enjoy spending more of your time doing the things that you want to do. Alternatively you could just get yourself a 24 hour PA, a cleaner, gardener and nanny!

The SaVVy Club’s members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke social events organised just for them. They can enjoy the company of fascinating people and relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

Read Full Post »

The SaVVy Club Ultimate Event Competition

How would you like the opportunity to let your imagination run wild and win the chance to conjure and stage the ultimate event? Well that is exactly what Kim Rix of  The SaVVy Club^® is inviting you to do.The SaVVy Club^® is an exclusive socialising club whose members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke events organised just for them. The events are creative, lavish and stretch the bounds of enjoyment possibilities.A series of competitions are to be held looking for the best, most creative ideas from each category. Each of these will have its own specific parameters, objectives, budgets, themes, target selling prices, locations etc. The winners will be chosen by a panel of 

industry experts, members and celebrity judges. The SaVVy Club^® will go on to stage the winning events meaning that you not only get to realise your creative dream but you will also profit into the bargain!!! As a winning event architect you will become a member of The SaVVy Club^® and join its panel of event organisers so you can repeat your success with bigger, more flamboyant and extravagant events.This is an opportunity not to be missed – it’s not every day that you get the chance to become part of the most creative events company in the world. To explore this amazing opportunity further please email kim@savvyclub.co.uk. Competition details can be found at: http://www.savvyclub.co.uk/page/Competition 

The SaVVy Club’s members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke social events organised just for them. They can enjoy the company of fascinating people and relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

Read Full Post »

Ramadan in Dubai

The call to prayer, echoing through the streets of any city, has to be one of my favourite sounds.  Even after years of hearing it, I still find it both exotic and evocative.  During Ramadan, though, it seems to take on a special energy.  In the Western world this time of year passes relatively unnoticed amongst non-Muslim people, but in Muslim areas (even those as liberal as Dubai), it’s hard to miss!  

For those of you not familiar with this period in the Muslim calendar, it’s a month during which Muslim people cannot eat, drink, or smoke between the hours of sunrise and sunset (generally taken to be from about 4:30 am to 6:30 pm). 

If one is in a Muslim country, such as the UAE, this applies to everyone, although non-Muslim people (in Dubai, at least), are allowed to do these things in their homes (not cars), and in some restaurants which have been screened from public view.  I could go into the reasons behind the fasting and sacrifice of Ramadan, but frankly I doubt I could do it justice, being non-Muslim myself.  May I suggest that anyone interested in the period, and its enormous significance, researches it – its aim is noble indeed, although having said that, I’m glad I can go home in weather that hits 46 degrees in the shade and have a glass of water. While the nightlife of the city pretty much shuts down during this time – no live gigs or loud music are allowed – it’s still a special time, and allows one to experience Iftar tents. 

These are set up to break the fast after sunset, and in many of the hotels, and indeed generally, Iftar generally only lasts an hour or so, which makes it officially the fastest three-some course meal I’ve ever had!  Prices range hugely depending on where one goes, but one needn’t spend exorbitantly to get excellent food, although don’t expect any alcohol with your meal (it’s not allowed during this time) – the various juices and teas on offer, though, are incredible, as are the dates which form the first part of the meal! 

The food itself is all regional, ranging from Lebanese to Egyptian to other local regional cuisines, but it’s all wonderful – I have to admit my favourite, though, are the sweets, after all, how can any lover of cashew and pistachio nuts not love this part of the meal! The décor tends to be along the “tent” theme, complete with low seating, wonderful local textiles, low lighting, and at many places, shishas after the meal (for the uninitiated, shisha is the local term for “hubbly” or “hookah”) – this is a great treat as many places in Dubai have had to ban shishas outright due to the health risk they pose. 

This, much like the smoking ban in the UK, has caused a fair deal of unhappiness with local restaurants, as shishas bring in very healthy profits.  Once in a while can’t hurt, though, and I’d suggest, if you have the chance, that you try one! Ramadan is not only about Iftar, however, and Dubai is a wonderful place to experience this period in the Muslim calendar.  It provides a great insight into the faith and tenets of the Muslim religion, which has been much (perhaps too much) maligned in the West.  So open your hearts and minds to something new, and go to Dubai! 

aimée whitcroft

The SaVVy Club’s members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke social events organised just for them. They can enjoy the company of fascinating people and relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

 

 

Read Full Post »