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A Life Full of Laughter: How to Handle Time Management Issues

"All that I'm after is a life full of laughter...."

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Saturday, October 29, 2011

How to Handle Time Management Issues

Gosh, do you guys ever get tired of listening to me posting the same thing over and over?  I kinda get tired of writing the same thing over and over but I can't help it!  I'm struggling so much with time management issues.  I'll be honest, this has always been an issue in my life. 

But now that I'm having some success with blogging it is becoming an even bigger problem. I feel like there are specific things I should be doing every day in regards to my blog, but I'm not exactly sure what they are.  Checking email, of course, writing posts, checking a few sponsored post sites, answering comments......what else?  Any advice? 

Then there are all the items I have here to review. I've been very pleasantly surprised by all the positive response I've received from companies.  Lots of them are more than happy to send me items to review.  That is so fun!  It's awesome for them because of the advertising, awesome for me because I get to try out new stuff, and awesome for all of you because there will be giveaways with most of them too! 

I think I need to get myself on a schedule.  Or atleast a check list of some sort.  Maybe a list of goals I want to accomplish every day.  Through the week my husband is away from home for work about 10 hours a day.  Those hours just slip by because of the computer - I get on when he leaves and next thing I know it's been 4 hours and I haven't accomplished anything.  If I had specific tasks that needed to be done each day it might help me stay on task.  Maybe even something like this.....

1 hour - blogging chores
2 hours - blogging paperwork for reviews/giveaways (need to get them all documented before I proceed)
1 hour - housework
2 hours - crochet on granny stripe (trying to get it finished by Thanksgiving!)
1 hour - schoolwork (going to college online)

Gosh!  If I got all of that accomplished in a day I'd be thrilled!  Plus that still leaves me a few hours to just piddle around.  Of course, it really boils down to self discipline - which I have none of!!! That is what I need to work on more than anything else.

The thing is, if I could make myself follow the list above (or something similar to it) I know I'd be a lot less stressed.  I'd be happy because I was getting things done & I'd feel relief from that.  Especially the paperwork for the reviews/giveaways.  That is where I feel the bulk of my stress right now.  It's looming in the back of my mind all the time.  I can't imagine the relief I'd feel if I got all my paperwork caught up and stayed on top of it! Blogging is supposed to be fun after all!!!

What about you? What type of blogging time management ideas of you have? How about blogging chores?  Do you have any type of list you follow each day? I'd love for you to share with me!  I feel like I'm a sponge just begging to soak up all the knowledge that other bloggers will share!

Bye,
Lisa

17 comments:

Janet said...

I actually can't wait to see some of the comments on this!! I have a full time job outside the home, a very spoiled and demanding 3 year old, and a clingy husband who wants all my time (even ahead of my son). I find myself blogging at work, making my work get behind, then staying up until 2am trying to get it all done. I actually get caught up in the "fun" stuff about blogging and not the actual planning/reviewing/posting so that's where I need to be more disciplined!!

Christine @ Why we love green said...

I agree, it's so easy for me to get online and just get distracted by all the different blogs and giveaways. I think the biggest thing for me is to blog first. I also found this post on her daily blogging routine by Makobi Scribe, whose blog is hugely successful:

http://makobiscribe.com/daily-blogging-chores/

Tin said...

Oh wow, that is one of my biggest problems! My time on the internet is a mess. I don't have a list of chores. Even if I do, I don't follow through. First tab on my browser would always be my e-mail inbox. Let's say I'm working on a review post then something interesting comes up in the mail, then I'll check it, the I see another interesting stuff and click through. In the end I finish nothing.

I need an orderly life. LOL

BTW, Christine here from Life's Cheap Thrills. I'm following you on GFC and subscribed by e-mail. Will follow other social media accounts you have too. Good day!

Kathleen said...

Yeah I have trouble with this too. I also have three kids and I'm a Girl Guide Leader. My main problem is I sit down to write a post or so something specific and when a kid needs me and I need to get off the computer, I realize I checked my email, facebook and twitter and did some other things but never did what I was supposed to.

Unknown said...

I too need to get better at this! I find my time blogging just flies by! I have a similar pattern, I check email, keep up with comments and go through my FB page and networking groups. Sine I write one essay a week I usually start it on Wed, but I have not been that organized lately. I have three kids who are now all at school so the day is mine, but I also have cleaning and errands plus I should be going to the gym. I need to have a schedule so I know that everything is getting done! Thanks!

Rachel's Giveaways said...

Well since you read my daily to-do list for bloggers post, you know I sort of have a routine. I also struggle with keeping up with all the review/giveaway posts. Since stuff is continuously arriving at my doorstep, I feel like I'm always behind.

I've started keeping track of everything on a google doc spreadsheet. That way I can make sure I meet deadlines and post giveaways in the order they were received.

Gloria Haynes said...

Lots of great tips here. I work outside the home too and blog as often as I can, but I am making a conscious effort to blog more often.

I would love to get in on reviewing products, especially craft products, but just don't know where to start!( anyone have advice about that?)

Thanks for visiting my blog and following, here to do the same! Have a great day!

Glo at glosews

4Eighteen said...

My sister and I are only a few months into our blog and it really helps having two of us. We post every day other than Sunday, occasionally posting Sunday instead of Saturday and we split up the days. As far as the other giveaway and reviews we haven't started that, although I think it would be a lot of fun. I was given a tip by another blogger that said the same as someone else above and that is to put everything on a spreadsheet.

Good luck! Following back, thank you for visiting our blog, we hope you'll be visiting again!

4Eighteen said...

My sister and I are only a few months into our blog and it really helps having two of us. We post every day other than Sunday, occasionally posting Sunday instead of Saturday and we split up the days. As far as the other giveaway and reviews we haven't started that, although I think it would be a lot of fun. I was given a tip by another blogger that said the same as someone else above and that is to put everything on a spreadsheet.

Good luck! Following back, thank you for visiting our blog, we hope you'll be visiting again!

Kristin said...

How did you learn to crochet? I have been dying to learn, but the youtube videos I have seen and the book I got have not helped me! Ugh.

I know how annoying time management can be. Moving next month is messing up my days! So much to do and it feels like I hardly have the time.

Shawn said...

Hi,
Thanks for the follow, I am now following you and look forward to getting to know you better too!

Ellen said...

I think we all have "time-management" issues in life at one time or another. I lose track of time reading or watching NCIS. I found that if I discipline myself to do the mandatory work (ie: oversee home school, housework, dinner prepped, etc) then I pick up a book or blog.

Thanks for visiting me at A Season for All Things. I'm your newest follower. ~ Ellen

Yvonne said...

I'm afraid I have no advice on time management with blogging. Life's too short for me to strangle it with chore lists that never quite seem to get completed. I find these lists stressful in themselves. I more like make my blogging fit my life of full time job, pets with needy medical problems, house, gardens, etc. while husband is working in Afghanistan. You have a lot on your plate. Hope you find the magical combination of making it much easier. Thanks for your wonderful comment on my last post.

Cookie’s Mom said...

I wish I could help. I'm struggling too. The only difference for me is that I have a four-year-old at home with me all day. If I work on all of these things during the day, I feel guilty for not spending all my time with him. Tough to find balance.

Alan Chatfield said...

Hey Lisa,

first of all, nice blog - I like the 'feel' of it and the font is nice.

On the time management issues, there are a few things you can do but most of them boil down to being a little ruthless and prioritising, saying no to the right things at the right time and working more efficiently on those things that you do do.

If you still have too little time then it's time to re-evaluate what you're doing (i.e. how many things you're actually taking on).

There, that's my advice in brief on the topic though it's a big one and your particular situation is specific to you so might have plenty of other things you can try.

If you'd like more advice on it feel free to drop me a note via the 'Contact Alan' section on our site.

take care & best wishes,
Alan

Deb Chitwood said...

Time management is something I struggle with, too. There's so much great content online that I tend to get lost reading and commenting on blog posts. When I do make a list of goals for the day, that definitely helps.

I was already following you via GFC, and I'm now following your Facebook page as well. Deb @ RaisingFigureSkaters.com

Debbi said...

Wow, can I relate to this post! lol I do better when I make lists and cross things off as I finish them, and 'have a plan' (have a plan of action to help me stay on track, like read an inspirational verse or poem, etc.). I also typed up a list of reasons why I want to be more disciplined!
Thanks for your post!

 
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