Sunday, July 25, 2010

Control

You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage - pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically - to say 'no' to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside. The enemy of the 'best' is often the 'good.' ~Stephen Covey

Life's been feeling a bit out of control lately -- like I'm dog paddling like crazy just to keep my head above water. I'm a big fan of routine and to-do lists and what-not, and lately none of that has happened.

I'm sure that's partly because DD is out of school, so we don't have THAT routine. I'm not entirely certain what's contributed to the rest, but I do know that I found a thick layer of dust on my bedroom dressers, and mildew on the rubber lining of my fridge -- two big indicators that I haven't been cleaning house as much as I should (just doing the "top" layer: dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping and keeping the clutter down).

So... I'm doing FlyLady again. Going to get my calendar organized starting August 1st, have planned a few "fling boogies" and got a new battery for my timer.

That timer is also going to be used three other things: weeding, writing and blog hopping. Every day.

I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday morning during my walk (we walked just over an hour, the dog and I) and she mentioned wanting to walk, but having too much to do. I said she could take fifteen minutes out for a quick walk ... and as I said that, I realized that the same holds true for me and all the things I don't manage to get done during the day (like weeding, writing and blog hopping). Better, the timer really helps keep me focused, so I actually accomplish more in a shorter time.

I'm feeling much more in control, and I like it.

What about you? Are you more routine or spontaneous? What do you do in order to get what you need to get done daily, done? Any hints?

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You See Success in Your Future



Five years from now, you'll be on your way to achieving your goals.

You have a plan in place to get everything you've ever dreamed of.

Ten years from now, you will have achieved many of your goals.

You are driven, motivated, and hardworking. There's no reason you can't reach for the sky.



Hope that's right!

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15 comments:

Ceri Hebert said...

I'm much too much spontaneous for my own good. I think I need to visit a hypnotist to cure me of that and a few other things.

Dru said...

I'm routine and can handle some spontaneous, but not a lot nor often.

I more or less plan out my day, the day before and always start with the simple things so at least I know something was accomplished.

You See Peace in Your Future

Five years from now, you'll be living a calmer, less hectic life.
You are working hard at managing the chaos in your life right now, and eventually that will pay off for you.

Ten years from now, you will be deeply fulfilled. You will have found a whole new meaning to your life.

By being able to slow down and focus more, you will discover what truly matters to you.


I want this, I want this!


Have a good Sunday.

Maria Zannini said...

My chiro recommended a timer otherwise I will sit too long writing and end up hurting myself. But I hate that thing. It feels like I'm a slave to the timer.

I prefer writing lists. This way my subconscious tells me: Hey, you can only spend an hour writing because you've got dishes, vacuuming, and the newsletter to get out.

It's less intrusive than that annoying ring.

MJFredrick said...

I need a routine! The past three weeks mine fell apart, and I'm going to try to get it back these next three weeks, before I go back to work. Definitely going to steal your timer idea.

Mary Curry said...

This ridiculous heat has thrown me off so many of my plans. It saps all energy and incentive.

Just about the only thing I've been good about is writing time.

Charity Tahmaseb said...

Talk about ask and ye shall receive! I was writing about clutter/control etc. in my morning pages this morning, and look what I find here! I'd heard of FlyLady, but I never actually clicked through until today.

I'm on board, although the baby-step program will give me plenty to do (I'm sure you're far more advanced than I am, LOL--actually, just about everyone is).

So glad you blogged about this.

Brandy said...

I am a routine kind of gal. I don't mind a little spontaneity but not a lot and since I'm married to a spontaneous guy? Sometimes I feel out of control.
I prepare a mental list at night for my day the next day.

You See Optimism in Your Future
Five years from now, your life will be improving rapidly. You will be reaching new and exciting challenges.
Your life is fine right now, but you're laying the groundwork to make it better. You are paying your dues.
Ten years from now, you'll be living an amazing life - one close to the life you've always dreamed of.
By staying hopeful and proactive, you will be able to chart your own course.

I'll take it. And it does seem to fit me.

I hope you have a lovely Sunday!

Mary Curry said...

Just came back and did the quiz. One of them really called to me -

You See Creativity in Your Future
Five years from now, you will be creating more than you ever dreamed was possible.
You might not see it yet, but you are really starting to tap into your artistic energy and power.

Ten years from now, you will be working in a job you love - possibly as your own boss.
You will be making things that inspire or change the world. Your vision will grow stronger and more powerful.



Wouldn't that be nice.

Tori Lennox said...

I used to be really organized but as I've gotten older that's flown right out the window. *sigh*

Marianne Arkins said...

Ceri, I used to want to be spontaneous, but it never stuck!

Dru, planning the next day the day before is a fabulous idea, and I need to do that more often.

Marianne Arkins said...

Maria, I love the timer because I thrive under pressure, so to see it counting down makes me even more productive.

Mary, let me know how the timer works!

Marianne Arkins said...

MaryC, most of my outdoor stuff has been horribly neglected because of the heat. It really does make one want to just sit and do nothing. Ugh.

Marianne Arkins said...

Charity, I LOVE Flylady... she really helps me focus, which is what I need. My DD always asks why I'm so crazy about doing dishes all the time -- it's because I LOVE an empty sink. That's FlyLady's first commandment. *G*

Good luck!

Marianne Arkins said...

Brandy, RE: a spontaneous DH. OH MAN, me, too -- and it drives me crazy, lol.

Sometimes I wonder if I overcompensate the other direction because he's SO footloose.

Marianne Arkins said...

Tori, if I didn't have so much to accomplish every day, I probably wouldn't worry so much. But I DO have a ton to do, and people (lots of people) relying on me ... so I DO worry.