Good Ole' Time Limits

My sister is in town from Colorado. YEA!!! Guess what, I wasn't granted any extra hours in my day to accomplish my normal everyday duties in addition to all the fun activities my sister and I have planned. Nope, not a one! So in order to maximize the time I do have, I'm implementing a trick that I've tried to do MANY times before; adding time limits to my To-Do list. Sounds elementary right? Well, in theory it is. However, if you know anything at all about me, you know that usually means squat!

Like I always say, if at first you don't succeed...try a few hundred times more! Seriously, I figured out a way to help me to stick to the time limits, and actual timer. In my case, I'm using the alarm on my cell phone, but a kitchen timer would be great. Before you get started there are a few things you need to do. If there any tasks that must be completed that day you need to gauge how much time each task will take to finish. You must then plan your other tasks and time limits around the priority tasks.

Now you can realistically set time limits for the other tasks on your list. This is what my list looks like today.

*Contact financial advisor at school
*Activate new cell phone
*Confirm dates for vacation w/resort owner
*Order new textbook
*Homework-1 hr
*Exercise-45min
Bible Study-30 min
Organize kitchen cabinets-45min
Work on Blog-20 min
Check email/fav. blog sites-30 min
Work on cheerleading dance-20min
Work on Sept. 12th event-1 hr

I indicate items that must get completed today with an asterisk. The first 3 items do not have time limits because they must be completed no matter what. The last two have time limits because although I want them to be completed today, it may take as little or as long as I want, so in an effort to keep my day running smoothly and again ensure that I'm able to do as much as I want without killing myself, I add time limits.

Some people add every little detail to their to-do list such as make up bed, read/relax, take kids to park. If you feel that is what works for you, by all means "add" away! I however, do not find that to be effective. I don't like to have a list that looks cluttered or makes me feel overwhelmed. Now, if you've just begun new things that you want to become a habit or are starting a new schedule, then it may be very useful to write out those tasks in the beginning. I used to write out all the rooms I wanted to clean each day. Now, that is has become routine to me, I have placed my cleaning schedule on the back of my bedroom door. Each day I look to see what needs to be completed and check the items off as I complete them. The schedule is laminated and I use dry erase markers to check off tasks. This works best for me so that I'm not writing the same tasks each day/week on my to-do list. Again, you have to do what works best for you. Also, I'm not one of those people that likes to add tasks to my list just for the sake of crossing them off. For me to be productive, my list needs to include only the things that I could easily forget to do or one that I want to be certain I don't spend too much time dong. (hence, the time limits). This way I won't feel stressed when the rest of my day is spent lounging by the pool, at the park with the kids, or shopping with my sister! Give it a try and see how it works for you!