How Do You Manage Your Life?

12/16/2009

Lifestyle

Some days my life feels way out of control. Work, travel, friends, social networking, training and time for myself are all up for grabs at any one moment in my life and there are days when I feel completely pulled in every direction.

Spence-Smith-Life-Time-Management

But somehow I get through the day and the to-do-list gets done… almost.

Recently, a friend of mine asked me how do I get everything I’m working on done. The truth is that I don’t always get it done. At least not when I’m planning to get it done. I can get distracted and too busy. By the end of the day… I’m tired and ready for bed-the next day comes and the to-do-list got just a little bigger over night.

For me, when I’m blazin’ through my schedule with all my might and getting EVERYTHING done, then life is perfect for the moment, but only for that moment.

There are some things I have made part of my lifestyle and are second nature when it comes to getting things done, but even those things get put aside from time to time to take care of other tasks.

It’s frustrating, yet I know I do this to myself and can control it.

My boss, co workers and certain close friends would actually be laughing at me right now if we were to have this conversation about me and how I get things done because they all know my faults really well. If you are one of these people in the aforementioned group, then you can call me later, laugh at me and roll your eyes. I know you want to!

So… What do you do to manage your life day to day and get it all done?

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  • http://michellesidles.com Michelle

    I don't get it all done. :{ Ever. Maybe I make my list too long? ;)

    Can't wait to see what brilliant solutions your other commenters have!

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  • http://tejasfan.wordpress.com Carol A.

    I allow myself to be ok with some of the things that don't get done. I am my own worst enemy and can be very critical of myself so this took some learning. I prioritize and seriously tackle the most important items. Accountability helps with the "I don't want tos".

  • http://www.shessothere.com Sweetie

    One of the things I have learned is that being "me" looks different many times a week. When I was younger, I thought perhaps there were title categories that defined my task time during a period…. me the Educator, me the Mom, me the Wife, me the supplier of our home, me the Writer,…me the Volunteer….but now I realize that my life is all of those things and more at the same time….so being "me" can look completely different depending on the day…..it seems to help me realize that these tasks aren't seperate, they aren't in neat stacks…they are all a part of my day on different times and days….and have to be combined and filtered as such

  • Deana OHara

    I get side tracked very easily. Having given up a corporate career to raise my kids several years ago actually did not help "get things done." I'm still juggling raising my kids with church, volunteering and a hope to build comedy career. (A new extension of an old gift). One of the things that has honest and truly helped me was flylady (dot net). Marla teaches people like myself how to set up manageable routines and stick to them. It sounds cheesy when you first look at her site, but breaking things down into basic routines and 15 minute runs works really well for me.

    Learning how to say no to that which does not add value, helps to. I'm not totally there yet, but I'm getting there.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SpenceSmith SpenceSmith

    Ladies, these are all great comments. I think you nailed it Deana. i think for me sometimes i need to just say no and be ok with it.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/torybee torybee

    Ha! Manage my life? Get things done? I've 3 young kids! NOTHING gets done. (at least well)

  • Cyndi

    I'm still working on my to-do list from last Christmas. Nice post.

  • Joel

    Anymore I focus on 2 things: living in the moment, which entails a trust in my ability to be drawn to the things which add the most value to my life, and learning to let go of those things that don't get done. If I think too much about the vast array of things which need to be done I become paralyzed. I have an easier time thinking of the marathon as 13×2 mile repeats than 26.2 miles.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/DerekDRobertson DerekDRobertson

    I notice as I get older that my list is growing but that I have to prioritize the list otherwise I will do all the fun things and for get the things that matter until it's to late.

  • http://www.shininghistory.com Meam Wye

    About three years ago, I was doing three tasks simultaneously: doing MS in the evening (and the writing of research papers), working full-time and almost completely managing the home. Life was hectic! Well, I learned to manage things by not managing them….. some how, I was able to meet almost all deadlines ;)

    This is my first visit to your blog. I like the theme of your blog and your writing style. I learned about your blog from a special post on your blog on 'Tostada Speaks' a blog that I greatly admire and regularly visit: http://tostadaspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/12/recomme…

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/JasonWert JasonWert

    My problem is I get too easily distracted by things. I have a huge list each day, don't get it done and then other things come in and pull me away from the list.

  • Kevin Banks

    I recently established a budget for my finances through Mint.com. I love it, it puts me in control of my money. I find myself wishing there was a similar service for budgeting my time. A good budget gives me the power to say 'no' or the power to say 'yes' to any given opportunity, being confident that I am making the best decision. I'm still looking for an effective way to manage my time.