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!
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