Think Productivity--AND Enjoyment
One of the ways I get through my day and get tons of stuff
done is by doing little things I really enjoy in between my
tasks.
Let's take this past Monday, for example. I woke up at 7:00am, showered and dressed, and got my daughter, Amanda, ready for the day.
Instead of going right to work, I sat down at the kitchen table with my husband and my daughter and we all enjoyed breakfast together--scrambled eggs, toast and fruit. I even managed to do a crossword puzzle.
Then, I went to work, getting my newsletter and web site updated for this coming Sunday. My 3-year old played quietly at this time, right by my side.
That took me to around 11:00am, at which time I drove my daughter to her music class. While there, I was able to enjoy some great conversation with a few of the other moms while the kids were in class.
After class, I took my daughter out for a quick lunch, picked up a few items at the grocery store, and then back home to work at about 2:00P. Amanda's friend came over to play.
I went through all of my email messages, responding to each one that was in my inbox, deleting those I did not need and moving those I did need into email folders.
Afterwards, I enjoyed some sugar snap peas with bacon dip, while reading a chapter of the book I'm currently reading (Night by Elie Wiesel--it's an amazing book by the way!).
That took me to about 3:00PM, at which time I worked on a writing project I'm in the middle of. At 4:00P, I did a few media interviews, that ended at about 4:45P.
I turned off my computer, did a quick office clean up, and then started some laundry. Then, dinner. I made baked haddock, red potatoes and green beans. While dinner was cooking, I did some quick cleaning around the house. We started eating dinner around 5:45 or so and cleaned up directly afterwards.
Joe and I then took Amanda to the park for awhile. When we returned, we played some games with her. Then it was bathtime and bedtime.
Once Amanda was asleep, I did a little bit of scrapbooking and then watched some TV with Joe before going to bed.
In summary, I managed to:
WORK
1. Update next week's newsletter and web site
2. Respond to, file and/or delete all my email messages
3. Finish a nice chunk of my writing project
4. Do two media interviews
HOUSE
1. Get myself, and my daughter, ready for the day
2. Cook
3. Clean
4. Do Laundry
5. Get my daughter bathed and ready for bed
FUN
1. Eat 3 square meals, with a snack in between.
2. Spend quality time with my husband and Amanda.
3. Talk with my friends.
4. Do a crossword puzzle.
5. Read some of my book.
6. Scrapbook.
7. Watch TV.
And that's only one day of my 5 day workweek! I know once I look back at the end of the week, I will be looking back at a very productive week--but also one in which I managed to truly enjoy myself each day.
Don't forget about enjoying yourself each day. You can still get stuff done, but it will be so much better if you can also say you did a bunch of nice things for yourself and your family too!
Let's take this past Monday, for example. I woke up at 7:00am, showered and dressed, and got my daughter, Amanda, ready for the day.
Instead of going right to work, I sat down at the kitchen table with my husband and my daughter and we all enjoyed breakfast together--scrambled eggs, toast and fruit. I even managed to do a crossword puzzle.
Then, I went to work, getting my newsletter and web site updated for this coming Sunday. My 3-year old played quietly at this time, right by my side.
That took me to around 11:00am, at which time I drove my daughter to her music class. While there, I was able to enjoy some great conversation with a few of the other moms while the kids were in class.
After class, I took my daughter out for a quick lunch, picked up a few items at the grocery store, and then back home to work at about 2:00P. Amanda's friend came over to play.
I went through all of my email messages, responding to each one that was in my inbox, deleting those I did not need and moving those I did need into email folders.
Afterwards, I enjoyed some sugar snap peas with bacon dip, while reading a chapter of the book I'm currently reading (Night by Elie Wiesel--it's an amazing book by the way!).
That took me to about 3:00PM, at which time I worked on a writing project I'm in the middle of. At 4:00P, I did a few media interviews, that ended at about 4:45P.
I turned off my computer, did a quick office clean up, and then started some laundry. Then, dinner. I made baked haddock, red potatoes and green beans. While dinner was cooking, I did some quick cleaning around the house. We started eating dinner around 5:45 or so and cleaned up directly afterwards.
Joe and I then took Amanda to the park for awhile. When we returned, we played some games with her. Then it was bathtime and bedtime.
Once Amanda was asleep, I did a little bit of scrapbooking and then watched some TV with Joe before going to bed.
In summary, I managed to:
WORK
1. Update next week's newsletter and web site
2. Respond to, file and/or delete all my email messages
3. Finish a nice chunk of my writing project
4. Do two media interviews
HOUSE
1. Get myself, and my daughter, ready for the day
2. Cook
3. Clean
4. Do Laundry
5. Get my daughter bathed and ready for bed
FUN
1. Eat 3 square meals, with a snack in between.
2. Spend quality time with my husband and Amanda.
3. Talk with my friends.
4. Do a crossword puzzle.
5. Read some of my book.
6. Scrapbook.
7. Watch TV.
And that's only one day of my 5 day workweek! I know once I look back at the end of the week, I will be looking back at a very productive week--but also one in which I managed to truly enjoy myself each day.
Don't forget about enjoying yourself each day. You can still get stuff done, but it will be so much better if you can also say you did a bunch of nice things for yourself and your family too!
Very productive, indeed- do you have just your business email account or have just one? And do you have a set routine to do your housework or just do what is needed as you see it is needed?
__________________________
NOTE FROM MARIA GRACIA
Good question. I will address this in a future blog.
Posted by: Charity Wilt | October 01, 2007 at 08:40 PM
You must have a very "easy" child if you can do all that while caring for her! :) (And from some of your other posts I think you do.) My older son was not that low-maintenance at 3, and my younger son at 20 months definitely isn't! (But maybe he will be in another year or two.)
Just watch out if you have a second one; he/she may be the total opposite!
Posted by: Julinda | October 02, 2007 at 09:11 AM
Maria, thanks for your advice. I know how hard it could be to get the most of your day. I've got hundreds of things to do every day! It would be crazy without Wrike, my organizing tool. You'll find it here http://www.wrike.com/. With Wrike I keep record of all my stuff in one place and never forget anything.
Posted by: Clara | October 04, 2007 at 01:34 AM
Is there ever a day where things don't go as planned? Do you and Joe work your different businesses at the same time or do you take turns so one of you can spend time with Amanda.
Just curious how you deal with illnesses and any other unexpected thing...?
____________________
NOTE FROM MARIA GRACIA
Good question. I will address this in a future blog.
Posted by: Charity Wilt | October 04, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Thank you for this Maria - reading an account of such a productive and enjoyable day really cheered me up! It's also a great reminder that we should make time for pleasant tasks and we're more likely to achieve the less pleasant ones
Posted by: Harriet | October 04, 2007 at 01:27 PM
You accomplish much more than simply what you've stated. Thanks for all the hints you've shared with me. The book, Night, by Elie Wiesel must be read in small portions as one can take in the nature of the circumstances. I personally found The Hiding Place by Corrie Tenboom(sp?) much more uplifting and awe-inspiring for its effect on the after part of her life. Please edit misspellings as it's been a very long time since I read either book (over 20 yrs.). The latter book provided me with insight for slowing economic times.
Posted by: Rosemary | October 10, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Hi Maria,
I do all the things in my daily life as you do though my yonger son is not a mild kid and is prone to temper tantrums. But I never viewed it your way. Thanks for sharing your view with all of us as it has given me a new insight.
Posted by: Radhika | October 15, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Wow, is that what the life of an organized person is like? We're in the middle of remodeling/renovation, working on the third child with a 6 y/o and 1 y/o already and pets to boot and also homeschool. I can't imagine a day going by that smoothly. I'm trying to get organized, but without a computer room/office and the kitchen leaking into the front room (the fridge is currently in the wrong room and there aren't any cabinets) it's proving to be a challenge. Thanks for the tips though, the ones I can apply are great.
Posted by: Sheena | October 22, 2007 at 04:22 PM
I wish my days were that easy? I have four children, all in school full time. It can be overwhelming. The laundry alone each day is a chore, let alone keeping up with the housework (they all have daily chores). I enjoy your site and read it every week, but that blog was an unrealistic day in my life.
Posted by: ruth | November 04, 2007 at 07:59 AM