Christmas Boutique

Get Organized Now

One of the many blogs/sites I check out frequently is called Get Organized Now. I have subscribed to the weekly newsletter and I love the tips that she gives us this week.

Tips for Making Your Crazy Schedule More Manageable
We all know we are super-busy nowadays. So how can we make our crazy schedules more manageable? Here are ten tips:
1. Double up
* Cooking a pasta dish or casserole for supper this evening? If you are already cooking the first dish, why not make more for a second meal and freeze it for later?
* Batch cooking items, such as ground beef, can be cooked/fried in advance, wrapped, and frozen for later meals.

2. Decide and stick to limits
* Given the fact that the number of hours in a day is unable to be changed, what are you capable of doing? Be honest with yourself. If you can't currently complete everything on your To Do list, there's probably too much on the list.
* Sometimes you are assigned or given a task you are unable to do or that you are uncomfortable doing. If this is the case, pass or delegate this task to someone else.

3. Be realistic about your schedule
* Take time in the morning or evening and create a realistic schedule. Review it daily.
* Be sure to pad time in between tasks.
* Prioritize items on your to-do list, and block out time for these activities.
* Use a scheduling method that makes you comfortable, whether it's a paper calendar, PDA or a large calendar on the fridge.

4. Find time for yourself
* In order to be at your best and help others in your life, you must be able to take care of yourself.
* It's truly a personal choice how you decide to relax. It may include a bubble bath, exercising, a manicure or pedicure, a massage, a good book or magazine, a computer game, a walk outside, maybe taking a class or learning something new.
* Find out what helps you relax and make sure you schedule time for it in your schedule daily.

5. Give yourself permission to use the word 'No'
* You cannot do it all, all the time. You can delegate and give tasks to others.
* If you don't respect your time, others won't either.

6. Prioritize
* Make a to-do list and rank the items by priority A. Urgent, B. Important but not urgent, C. Not urgent or important. It might help to label tasks such as A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 and so forth. It might also help to color code the A, B, and C tasks to help distinguish them.
* Make sure to include items from each category to help ensure balance within your list.

7. Delegate
* There are often tasks on our lists both at home and at work that can be delegated to others. Many of us find it difficult to ask for help but it is an important skill to learn.
* If you are new to the idea of delegating tasks to others start with simple and easy tasks that you know others will be able to accomplish.
* Provide clear and concise instructions.
* Play into others strengths and skills. For example, asking a person who is really good with their hands and likes to do home repairs may be able to take items such as replacing a door or window off of your list.
* You can also delegate tasks to professionals who can be hired to do some items on your to-do list.
* Don't forget you can also delegate to electronics, such as a voice mail service for answering your calls.

8. Multi-tasking
* Multi-tasking is appropriate in situations that involve simple tasks that you are familiar with.
* Do not multi-task if: 1. the task is new 2. the task is difficult/complicated or 3. the task requires a lot of attention.
* Examples of good multi-tasking opportunities are:
--exercising and catching up with a spouse
--loading the washer while waiting for a pot of water to boil
--doing some light reading or letter writing while waiting at the doctor's office

9. Tricks and tips for cutting down the time involved in chores and errands
* Is there a teenager in your neighborhood who is willing to help out with chores or errands in exchange for some spending money?
* A neighbor in which you can trade babysitting duties or car pooling for various child activities?
* Instead of spending time at the grocery store, some companies will let you order the food and deliver it to your house for you.
* Group your errands together (make a map that keeps driving to a minimum).
* Designate a set errand day.
* Delegate errands and chores to other family members.

10. Recognize that nobody's perfect
* No one is perfect, we might all try to be, but the reality is we are not perfect.
* If you realize this and accept it, then others will too.
* Remember the old advice, Do your best.
Managing a schedule can seem like a full time job all by itself, don't let your schedule rule your life. You can do it and make it more manageable.

Declutter your life

I love to look at blogs that teach me how to declutter my life. I have so much STUFF around my house that I am in need of a serious DeClutter! Then I found this blog. She's great!! Declutter your Life

Check her out! Maybe we can all learn something!

For the love....

OF BLOGS!!

On the right side- you will find some of the blogs that I love to check out. These ladies are amazing bloggers and I get inspired by their great ideas!

Check them out!

TONIGHT

Tonight is a great concert at Mt Ogden Jr. High. T Minus 5 and Paul Sperazza from Toxic Audio will be performing! 7:30pm is Showtime!!

Who is going?

Have no fear- I'll be at the Midnight Showing of NEW MOON! I am so excited to go hang out with the girls and watch this movie! Who is your hero? I'm a definate JACOB fan!

Announcement:

I'm going to use this blog for fun tips, tricks, and other fun things I find- so please keep looking and check this address often!!!

Thanks!