The Kat Files

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDO5ea8MwgY&feature=related

Lately, I’ve been feeling a little like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. School has started, as well as all the activities associated with school. Fortunately, I’m not teaching again this year. However, my schedule is still quite full, and I feel like I’m literally running from one activity to another. This has put a little bit of a kink in my own Happiness Project plans. I’m late! By now, I should have already designated my resolutions for September. I’ve been giving plenty of thought to my new monthly resolutions, mostly while working out. I’m determined not to give up.

I’ve decided I need to address two areas of my life that are lacking luster:  Time Management and Organization. Clearly tackling both areas at the same time is not feasible, especially with me starting a freelance job in the middle of this month. So, I am more inclined to begin with Time Management. Keep in mind that this resolution will be added to the August resolutions. To get started, I will revisit the book Time Management from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern. This book has some good advice. The key is making the time to reread the Quick- Start Program section.

I am famous for exclaiming, “I don’t have time!” I wish it was true, but it really is not. I don’t intentionally go out of my way to speak this untruth. However, the reality, truth be told, is I do have pockets of time. Time just escapes me or is hidden to where I don’t recognize it. The truth is I’ve become unconscious to how I really spend my time. I believe by becoming more efficient and a better time manager, I can accomplish my work-related tasks, as well as the things I want to do for leisure. Granted, there are days when I do not have a moment to spare; however, those days are not the norm for me. For example, yesterday evening I could have written this post; however, I chose to watch Animal Hoarders on Animal Planet. It was the first time I have ever watched it, and based on what I saw…probably the last. If I would have planned my day more efficiently, I could have done both. The first step is being more conscious of how I spend my time.

On a totally different subject, I think I may start carrying a small notebook with me. While driving, waiting or even running, I often have ideas or think about things I need to do or solutions to a situation, etc.; however, once I get to my destination, I forget. Now, I don’t know how cool I will look running down the street with my pen and notebook. I’ll have to think about that one, maybe on my next run.    

Happiness Project

September: Time Management

• Reread the Quick Start Program in Time Management from the Inside Out.
• Create my Resolutions Chart to track progress of success with resolutions. (left over from August)
• Track how I am actually spending my time.

September Goals: Weigh in at 140 on 9/26.

“Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”  ~Carl Sandburg