I need a class in Time Management
Maybe you’ve noticed, maybe you haven’t, but I haven’t been as active on social media much in the last few weeks. I’ve slowed down a little on the blog posts. The answer is quite simple: I had to get a civilian job. I didn’t want to, but I’m just not making enough from all of this right now.
Luckily, I managed to snag a part-time job where I’m alone basically babysitting an office and the office isn’t very busy. In my two weeks so far, many days I had no customers coming in. So, once I get myself all set up (now that I’m past the training, and am finally left on my own) I should be able to do bloggy stuff while at work. After all, that’s how I started 6 years ago! 6 years ago I was working full-time in a boring government job, and I had plenty of downtime at work to be on social media, writing posts, etc. But the blog was very very different back then–more personal, more sexy. It might prove difficult for me to work on reviews someplace other than my home office.
For the past two weeks, though, I’ve basically sucked at time management. For 3 wonderful years I was able to stay home and have the blog be my full-time job. I had no restraints and restrictions on my time, I had no schedule. Now, though, I’m somewhere else for a firm 4.5 hours a day in the afternoon. By the time I come home at close to 5:30, it’s time for little miss Corrupt Donna Reed to think about putting dinner on the table. If I need to go to any stores, it has to be done in the mornings. So fitting in blog time has not been managed just yet, but I’m workin on it. I specifically took this part-time job so that I could have more time for the blog, because this IS the job of my dreams in many ways. I just wish the pay was better!
I’m notoriously bad at time management, I always have been. I’ve pretty much been the ADD poster child all my life. I don’t have routines, I don’t do schedules…..for better or worse. Now I have to learn, though. I have to learn to use the scheduled Tweet stuff on Hootsuite. I think I need to find a new “tweet old post” plugin and bring that back. I’ll be able to do Reddit stuff from my tablet at work (especially now that I’ve solved the main issue with tablet usage – I’ve found a way to hook up a real mouse, and have an external keyboard), and social media from there. But I really need your best tips on how to manage my non-work time. I’m a pretty low-key person, and some might call me lazy. I don’t “work hard”, I don’t run like the Energizer bunny. But I have to fit everything in now, and try for something that looks like “being productive”…..every day.
So tell me, how do you balance your worlds? How do you make sure you get it all done?
And yes….I’m one of those old-school weirdos who prefers a big desktop computer over anything else. I hate the shrunken keyboards and touchpads on laptops. In order to make my tablet piss me off less, and be able to really use it while I’m at work, I’ve found an adapter that allows me to plug in a mouse. I already have a keyboard that fits on the tablet. Now the only downside is that, since it’s a tablet, most web sites try to throw me to the mobile versions of sites no matter what settings I have. Once I work that out, I should be more able to use the tablet without wanting to throw it out the window.
I feel you on the “I have a “civvie” job, now I need to learn to manage my (abbreviated) time home” thing. I’m in a similar situation (and have been trying to find the time/motivation to write about it.) Unfortunately I haven’t figured it out either. :-
Oh, and writing on a tablet – yep! I get you there too. I was SO thrilled when I realized I could use a blue tooth keyboard with mine. Now I’m wondering about a blue tooth mouse…
This is how much this all has killed my brain lately…..bc bluetooth never even occurred to me.
I managed to find a keyboard that plugs into the tablet, it’s made to be paired with my specific tablet, so it holds it up like a laptop, at an angle. But regardless I have a Microsoft Arc Touch mouse on its way bc it looks cool since it folds flat, lol.
I find making a goal list for the week helpful. Not quite a to-do list. More like a “I hope in a perfect world I can get this done over the next seven days” kind of thing. I write really specific things like “Unpack two boxes of bedroom stuff.” instead of “Unpack boxes” and then I start tackling a few things a day. I have a chronic pain condition that makes it hard for me to function so being able to chip away at things really helps.
Yeah, this might help. I’m gonna have to just make tons of lists.
I’m a list person, so I write everything I want to get done that week. My week starts on a Sunday, and I just check it off as I go. If I don’t get it done I get pretty pissed at myself. I have to schedule taking pics of things when the kiddies aren’t around, and then I’m more of a night person so I tend to do writing then.
Good questions. My first summer off. I was looking forward to lots of masturbation time, blogging and major cleaning the house however instead of babysitting my 4 yr old grandson. It’s a full time job. Everything has fallen to the side. I can’t balance stuff out. I always put blogging first (not always a good idea) when house work needs to be done. I can’t wait to get back to work (part-time) and my empty nest. I wish you the best on time management and your new job.
Hi Lilly! I’m one of those Energizer Bunnies – working 3 jobs outside of my website/blog (2 part time, one freelance). Even though I give it my all til I fall, it doesn’t make it any easier! Like Krissy & Blissfully, I use lists to keep me organized: broken into Monthly Goals, Weekly Goals, and Daily Goals. Then, I prioritize which goals on my list are most important – and get those done first. Anything that doesn’t get accomplished gets put onto the next day’s list, at the very top. I also have a side list of smaller things I want to get done, if I ever have “free time” (which really doesn’t exist too often). Usually, I end up working through my weekends to get my website scheduled for the week.
My day usually goes:
7-8: Get ready for the day
8-9: Casually go through emails. Reply to any that are urgent. Write down things I need to reply to later. If I have any dr.’s appointments, they go here, and I push emails back til night time.
9-1: Part time job #1
1-2: Lunch
2-6: Part time job #2
6-7: Dinner
7-10: Freelancing / Replying to emails / Writing / Blogging / Reviewing / Anything else like errands
It’s a jam-packed day, and I wish I felt “bored” sometimes, and really, it’s very draining – but I’m glad that my 2+ jobs can help support my site (which is my passion!) In the end, it’s definitely worth it.
Hope this helps!
*blinks* WELL DON’T I FEEL LIKE A FUCKIN SLACKER NOW
Holy fuck lady. You’re impressive/insane! I guess part of my issue is that I’ve never really been “healthy”, what with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. That and my greatest skill is procrastination. I can come up with an excuse to procrastinate on pretty much anything.
I put blogging first, too, or I did. There would be days my husband came home from work and it was clear I’d not done ANYthing but sit at my computer, lol.
I totally understand! I also struggle with Fibromyalgia (and the dreaded Fibro Fog) – so I try to do most of my work from home. One of my part time jobs is from home, and so is my freelancing. I definitely have bad days where I just feel like curling up in bed. But, if I didn’t do it, I wouldn’t have food on the table and a roof over my head – so it’s a big motivator! I’m definitely a strong believer that we can overcome anything despite our limitations. Positivity and believe in yourself is the first step!
You’re definitely a lot smarter and capable than you give yourself credit for. Look at this wonderful small business you created from scratch! A 6-year and standing website with a huge following and fabulous reputation. That’s a big accomplishment in itself. A lot of small business owners would kill for your Lilly-army. Don’t sell yourself short! :)
I had hoped that figuring out the Celiac would tone down the brain fog, but between the untreated ADD and the fibro…..I’m this bizarre mix of homebody who needs adventures, introvert who needs someone to talk to, and I can’t commit to a “boring” task (i.e. work, housework) for hours on end because my brain gets overloaded and weirdly, a good cleanse is playing those 3-minute FB games.
That’s a great idea! Definitely, getting little breaks with mindless games can help. (We all need a rest from the daily stresses!) My favorite obsession is Candy Crush… bright colors, rewarding sounds – my brain goes haywire!
I could use a time management class too…so I’ll be watching the comments here. :)