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Improving My Time Management

Published on March 13, 2012 By Emily. Updated on March 13, 2012

I’m pretty bad at time management.  So bad that I make myself, and often my husband, crazy.  Granted,  I tend to have more things to do than are possible in a given day.  But somehow I find time to read blogs and watch television and take naps.

My bad time management affects my teaching, the quality and frequency of my blogging, my cooking and the cleanliness of my house, among other things.  I have a lot of worthwhile things I want to be doing–reading my book, fixing my blog, keeping in touch with friends– but at the end of most days they haven’t happened and I feel frustrated.  Certainly I have time to make progress on some of the above, so why don’t I?

Lately I’ve started being more intentional about the way I use my time.  It won’t be the first time, I feel like I restart this quest for better time management every few months (like after I read 168 hours).  Over the past couple months and weeks I’ve made a few changes that have made my time better spent and my days less stressful.

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10 Things I’ve Done Recently to Improve My Time Management

  1. Creating filters for my inbox – I made a filter in my Gmail account that automatically moves all the emails from stores (Amazon, Gap, Loft, etc) to a folder.  I never see them in my inbox, which keeps me from looking at them unless I really have the time and need to buy something.  Granted, I could probably unsubscribe from some of them, but I’m just not there yet.
  2. Preparing lunches the night before – I can’t really take credit for this one, Brian does all the work.  But having our lunches made the night before cuts down on dishes because I wash them when I do the dinner dishes.  It also makes the mornings run much more smoothly.  Actually having time to think about what’s going into the lunches also results in better meals.
  3. Making an appetizing breakfast for the week – Whenever possible, we try to leave the house by 6:30 am.  That’s generally too early for my stomach to want anything to eat.  Of course, the moment I get to school, I’m starving.  Making a breakfast over the weekend, like a loaf of really good bread, helps me remember to eat or take some with me. 
  4. Getting out of bed when the alarm goes off – Previously, I was a really big fan of the snooze button.  But my decision to start getting out of bed when my first alarm goes off has been excellent.  I don’t feel any more tired than usual, I start actually getting ready (after hanging out and checking blogs for a bit) a half hour earlier than before and, as a result, we actually leave on time.  
  5. Creating content before absorbing content – It shouldn’t be news to anyone that my Google Reader is sort of ridiculous.  I love reading other people’s blogs and keeping on top of the news.  But once I start going through my Reader it’s hard to get anything else done, including writing my own posts.  I’ve been working hard to try to finish my own writing before spending hours reading other people’s.
  6. Using a to do list app  – I may have a lot of things to do, but I also do a pretty bad job of remembering them.  I’ve tried a lot of different to do list apps for the web and my phone, but I think I’ve finally found one that’s stuck.  Astrid allows me to sync my tasks between work, home and my phone; it’s definitely helping me remember to get things done on time.
  7. Spending most of my prep period in my room – After teaching several classes in a row, I really just want to take a walk and not think for a little while.  I have several good friends at work and I really like touching base with them during the day.  Unfortunately, when I do that I don’t get a lot of work done.  Staying in my room except for essential errands means less grading and preparation that has to come home with me.
  8. Using a Google Document to brainstorm posts – I love writing posts in Windows Live Writer, but we only have it installed on our desktop computer.  Sometimes I don’t want to use the desktop and sometimes Brian’s already using it.  So I have a Google Doc that I use to draft, brainstorm and list post ideas.  Then when I’m ready to turn them into real posts, I just copy them into Live Writer, fix the formatting, add photos and publish.
  9. Sitting at the kitchen table instead of on the couch – Sitting in a real chair makes me so much more productive than lounging on the couch.  At the table, I can’t see the television or be distracted by what Brian’s doing on the computer.  I’m also less inclined to decide that a nap seems like a good choice.
  10. Going to bed at a reasonable hour – This one is, hopefully, a no-brainer.  If I’m well rested, I’m more focused and motivated during the day.  As a result, more stuff gets done and I don’t feel the need to sleep in the middle of the afternoon.  If going to bed before 9:00 makes me an old lady, I’m okay with that.

image via Candie_N on Flikr

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Highlights: Time Management
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Filed Under: life Tagged With: organization

« The Last of the Winter CSA Pick Ups
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Comments

  1. Heather says

    March 14, 2012 at 8:31 am

    such a great list of tips and tricks for better time management. Another thing I like to do is use online-stopwatch. If I am facing a task I don’t want to deal with, I will set the timer for 5-10 minutes, just to get started, then reward myself with a 3 minute break before starting again. Chipping away the big tasks in scheduled time segments helps me procrastinate the task less.

    I also do the same thing for when I read blogs, go pin happy, or surf youtube. I believe that I grow best as a creator when I feed my brain others’ works, but allow PLENTY of time for creating my own as well. Giving myself a window of surfing time helps me to monitor how much time I’m collecting inspiration, and how much time I’m doing something about it.

    • Emily says

      March 17, 2012 at 7:34 pm

      Thanks Heather!
      The timer idea is one that I don’t use nearly enough. I’m forever saying “I’m only going to read blogs for half an hour…” and then an hour flies by and I get annoyed with myself. I really should set a timer!

  2. Beth says

    April 4, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    Sitting at the kitchen table is one of my strategies for getting work done too. Anytime I sit on a couch, it usually involves lounging, not thinking.

    • Emily says

      April 4, 2012 at 6:05 pm

      For whatever reason, my body thinks it should be sleeping whenever it hits a couch. Here’s to getting more done!

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Emily
New on the blog: a 2 week menu plan featuring the New on the blog: a 2 week menu plan featuring the vegetables from our CSA share at @mightyfoodfarm. Link in my profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
We finally made it to the @berkshiremtdist tasting We finally made it to the @berkshiremtdist tasting room in Sheffield today after years of talking about it. The indoor and outdoor atmosphere was lovely and we took advantage of the complimentary tasting to try some of the products we haven't had before. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and enjoy distilleries.
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#BerkshireMountainDistillers #igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #DrinkLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #SheffieldMA
On Friday we headed to Springfield for an appointm On Friday we headed to Springfield for an appointment and made a day of it by visiting @forestparkzoo afterwards. For us, the Zoo in Forest Park's size, layout and number of animals (over 225 exotic and native animal residents) is the perfect size for our 2 and 5 year old kids. We went in the afternoon, when day camps were wrapping up and it wasn't busy overall. We were able to easily view all of the exhibits and let our children move at their own pace without interfering with other people. Despite the heat, the animals were pretty active and it was a joy to see my kids spot, identify and appreciate them.
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#ZooInForestPark #SpringfieldMA #igers413 #WesternMass #WesternMassachusetts
Brian and I had lunch at the @firehousecafebistro Brian and I had lunch at the @firehousecafebistro in Adams today. We enjoyed falafel bites, cocktails, papas bravas, and a buttermilk chicken sandwich. All of the food was really delicious and the service was excellent, despite very limited staffing. The patio seating was fun for people watching and enjoying the sunshine. I highly recommend the Firehouse Cafe and Bistro if you're looking for a more upscale lunch or dinner in the northern Berkshires.
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #AdamsMA #FirehouseCafeAndBistro
It's blueberry season in the Berkshires! My favori It's blueberry season in the Berkshires! My favorite girl and I headed to @mountainviewfarm413 this week to pick ours, as is our tradition. We had a great morning resulting in 7 pounds of berries. Some blueberries will be frozen and others turned into muffins, but most of them will be eaten just the way they are. The season is short, enjoy it while you can. @whitneysfarmmarket and @seconddropfarm are doing picky-your-own as well. 🫐
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 #igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #blueberries #BlueberryPicking #MountainViewFarm #LanesboroughMA
We're back from vacation and back to picking up ou We're back from vacation and back to picking up our weekly share of @mightyfoodfarm produce. My latest menu plan using these vegetables is live on the blog, link in my profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
Tomato season is my favorite season. If there is t Tomato season is my favorite season. If there is the opportunity to eat something that features a combination of tomato, mozzarella and basil, chances are good that I'm ordering it. Yesterday I needed to make a dish to share for a church gathering so I put together this incredibly simple pasta salad. I hope it's useful to you during this time of summer heat and summer gatherings.

RECIPE:
1 lb pasta (I used bowties) 
7 oz fresh mozzarella
1 pint grape tomatoes 
30-50 fresh basil leaves 
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste 

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and place in a large bowl. 
2. Prep the other ingredients: cut the mozzarella cheese in bite size pieces if needed, quarter the grape tomatoes, finely cut the basil with scissors or a knife.
3. Add the quartered tomatoes, mozzarella and basil to the pasta. Drizzle the olive oil into the bowl and miX well.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Enjoy!

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#igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies #caprese #CapresePastaSalad #PotluckFood #SummerFood
I could watch birds on the beach all day long. We' I could watch birds on the beach all day long.
We're wrapping up our time in Wilmington, North Carolina with lots of time at Wrightsville Beach. The ocean never ceases to impress.
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#WilmingtonNC #WrightsvilleBeach #BeachBirds #Beach #Sandpiper #NorthCarolina
This @smittenkitchen Zucchini and Ricotta Galette This @smittenkitchen Zucchini and Ricotta Galette is one of my favorite summer recipes. The crust is perfectly flaky and the mix of squash and cheese is delicious. I always use summer squash and my husband, who does not typically like summer squash, loves this galette. Though it takes a bit of planning ahead - the crust dough needs to rest in the fridge for an hour and the squash needs to be salted for 30 minutes, the recipe is straightforward and the final produce always impresses. I expect it will make another appearance on my table before the fall.
Link in my stories.
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