Productivity, Frugal Girl Style | Cut Schedule Clutter
(for those of you that are new: this is a continuation of a series we started back in November. It kind of got derailed over the holidays, so we're finishing it up this month. If you're interested in catching up, you can read the earlier posts, which are Get Thee to Bed!, Plan Ahead and 3 Ways to be Efficient.)
People who read my blog often wonder how I can find the time to blog or the time to bake or the time to read or the time to paint furniture, or the time to do any of the stuff I write about.
Part of the way that I find time for these things is that I plan ahead, I work efficiently, and I get enough sleep (which gives me energy to help me work efficiently!).
But another secret (well, it's not really a secret!) is that I try to cut clutter from my schedule.
Simply put, I try not to fill my life with things that don't matter to me or that don't mesh with the overarching beliefs and goals that shape me.
Maybe you're wanting to read more.
Maybe you're wanting to spend more time with your spouse/kids/family/friends.
Maybe you're wanting to have time to craft/play music/write/paint.
And maybe you're thinking, "I don't have time for any of that stuff!!".
And to that, I would gently suggest this:
If you're wanting to do something and "can't" find the time, you might be cluttering your life and schedule with things that are wasting your time.
(I don't know every person's life or schedule, of course. There are stages and phases of life that are just really, really busy, and nothing can be done to reduce the busy-ness. If you're in that sort of situation, my advice will not apply to you. Hang in there, and may your life calm down soon!).
The things that are cluttering your schedule will probably be really different than the things that are cluttering another person's schedule, but the point is that you need to take a good hard look at what you're really spending your time on and then consider whether those things are what you really want to be spending your time on.
The best way to do this is to keep a time diary for a few days (a week would be great).
You can keep this very low-tech...a pencil and a piece of paper will work fine. Every day, write down, in a list format, what you spent your time doing the whole day long. Including the actual time spent on each activity is optional, but can be helpful.
For instance, my morning so far would look like this:
4:40-woke up, made bed, ironed Mr. FG's clothes, packed his lunch
5:00-read email, checked Twitter and Facebook
5:15-read Bible and prayed
5:45-showered, dressed
6:15-read email, blogged
You can do in in less detail than that if you want. The point is just that you want to see where your time is going.
You may find that the simple act of writing it down will alert you to your time-wasting habits and will make you want to do something different (writing down that you spent an hour on the Internet doing mostly...nothing? That's painful!).
Once you've got several days' worth of time diaries finished, look them over and see if you are spending time doing things that don't really matter to you.
You might see a lot of TV-watching. You might see more texting/tweeting/Facebooking time than you'd like to see. You might observe an inordinate amount of phone time. You might notice that you're running around to an activity every night. You might see that you're spending more time on the internet than you are with your family.
Whatever it is, odds are good that you'll see some things on your schedule that aren't really in line with what your goals and desires are, and when you do, you should think long and hard about cutting some of those things out.
If you say your children are your number one priority, but you're spending most of your non-working hours online, you should change something.
If you say that you really want to keep your house cleaner but your time diary says you spent 3 hours watching TV over the course of a day, you should change something.
If you say that you really want to read your Bible every day but your time diary says you spent an hour on the phone every day, you should change something.
If you say family time at home is a high priority for you but your time diary says you are never at home with your family, something needs to change.
___________________________
So between now and next Thursday, could I encourage you to keep a time diary?
I'm going to do it myself because I am pretty sure that I am checking my email way more often than I'd officially say that I am, and I may be wasting time in other ways without even noticing it.
Schedule clutter can be as sneaky as household clutter, and so keeping it at bay requires the same kind of constant vigilance. Clutter of all kinds has a way of creeping in, and I want to keep an eye on the time clutter that might be worming its way into my days.
I realized recently that I waste a huge amount of time running around to stores for this and that.
1. I forget to take my list with me and have to go back.
2. I don't wait when I need things from non-grocery stores and go all at once. I usually go right when something is needed. For example, my bedside lamp broke (1 year old) and I need to replace it I also needed tights for one of my older girls. It equalled two trips that could have waited for one.
I am trying to work on this as my stores are not to close to home. Anyway,I felt compelled to share. 🙂
Oh yes..batching errands definitely helps. Jotting things down on a list on my fridge makes that easier.
Now, if only I always remembered to write stuff down! lol
I totally agree about the store trips thing-we used to go all the time because Wal-Mart is about 3 minutes from my house but it still takes at least 30 minutes to go and park, get in, check out, and get back home. We keep a list now and after I plan meals we go and get what is on the list and if we run out or need something before the next weekend it just has to wait. I find that I save money too because sometimes I find I don't really need the things I thought I did.
I take this even a step further. When I'm going to run several errands at once, I write them down as they occur to me. Before I head out I rewrite the list **in the order I want to do them** and also what I want there. So not just "hardware store" but "hardware store: kitchen bulbs, return screwdriver, nails." Then I use the list as a reminder of what to take with me. Really improves my efficiency by preventing Oops Errands.
I have come to realize that half of my time is wasted on my own schedule clutter! I've started blogging and it is very time consuming. I feel like I waste over half my day blogging and searching for deals. I really need to create a schedule and stick to it. I will definitely take heed the advice in this post. Thanks so much for posting this!
I find that the blogging itself isn't so bad, it's all the stuff that can go along with it...always checking email for comments, looking at stats, and then Twitter and Facebook.
Thanks for the convicting post, Kristen! This is something I've been thinking about recently too, and am hoping fix some of the time clutter (ie., wasting time on the computer) and spend my time on more profitable things!
I think I am spending too much time in the 'virtual world' and am dipping in and out rather than doing my digital stuff in one go. Diaries do work, and I will join in with this - it'll be interesting. However, there was BBC programme last week (it was very good) and they asked someone to keep a food diary who was struggling to lose weight. She under recorded by 50% as they were also monitoring her food intake. So diaries do work - but they need to be accurate. This doesn't mean that diarists lie, but rather than can miss some things and also unconsciously do some things.
fabulous idea. so right that our time should be spent on things we value, instead of us just frittering it away. I'll try this. thx
Oh, not this week - turns out we're moving (in a week and a half!) so all my "free" time is going to be spent packing.
Well, and cutting out to-scale graph paper furniture and new apartment models to figure out new arrangements. 😀
Oh but don't worry - getting out of my current apartment IS my top priority right now!
A great reminder to re-focus on what's important in this very short life.
You woke up, made the bed, ironed clothes, and packed a lunch all before 5 am!? Enough said. I am inspired to get my but outta bed by 5 am starting tomorrow. I won't be making the bed, ironing clothes or even packing a lunch....waking up will be a heavy task in it's own. 😉 And this is my official first comment after reading your blog for a year. Thanks for inspiring me! (Not just on waking up at 5am!)
Oh, don't be too impressed...I only get up then because that's when Mr. FG has to get up for work! lol Left to my own devices, I would refuse to set the alarm earlier than 5:00.
You should get up at an hour that works for you and your schedule...if 5:00 serves you well, then go for it. But don't feel like you have to get up at 5:00 because I'm up then. 🙂
Yay that you commented...I LOVE it when people de-lurk. 🙂
I used to wake up at 4:00 am when I had to be clocking into work at 6:00, but now my wake-up time is a bit more in tune with the sunrise!
I love that you get enough sleep. So many times people think "Oh, I'll just start getting up at 5:00, then I'll have more time for exercise/praying/packing lunches/whatever", but they don't follow that with an earlier bedtime. Sleep deprivation is cruel!
Great post! I've been wondering how you "do it all" and now I know how! Thanks for the idea on keeping a log on how I spend my time. I know that I'm wasting a lot of time on "nothing" which prevents me from doing the things I really want to do. Perfect timing for this post. Thanks!
Schedule clutter isn't my problem. My problem is collapsing on the couch around 8.30 every night and not getting up. My inertia is so great that I often dawdle about going to bed. One part of the problem is that it's the only time of the day I get to myself (for chores or fun stuff) so I'm reluctant to bring it to an end. But the bigger part is sheer inertia, my own particular sin (the Catholics calls it sloth; I prefer the, ahem, scientific term). I mean really - dawdling about going to be when I'm not doing anything in particular and I'm dozing off already? It's so frustrating that I know better and do it anyway!
I have the same problem! I work 8-5, so I leave the house at 7:20 and get home around 5:45ish. It takes up a HUGE chunk of the day. At night I don't want to go to sleep, because it's the only time I have for things that are important to me.
Oh ..... me too. I am so bad about staying on the couch nodding off when I should just go to bed. But it is so quiet and all to myself!
"At night I don't want to go to sleep, because it's the only time I have for things that are important to me."
Do you get these things done? If so, do share what motivates you. My day is somewhat like yours (12 hours out of the house) so all ideas are welcome.
Mostly I can't get myself to sleep because I don't much enjoy my job currently, so I don't want to fall asleep and go back into the rat race the next day. 🙁 Sad but true.
When I get home from work I usually pick up the house and cook dinner, and then when my boyfriend gets home we eat together. After that I do schoolwork, and then after ALL that is done, I get to relax on the couch, spend time with the BF, read, watch a little TV, hang out with my cat 🙂 All silly stuff, but it's me-time. School, relationship-building, cooking, and keeping the house neat are all things that I value, so it kind of works out. I have all these other things I really want to do with my free time, but they all seem like they'd be time consuming or tiring after a long day at work (meeting up with friends, taking yoga or dance classes, learning crafts/photography, etc). So I guess my answer to you is no, I don't really do all that I want, but I do some things that I want. Keeps me sane for now, I guess. When school's done I'll have a bit more time to get into those things, hopefully.
Question for you...do you value your work? My problem is that currently my work is not in line with my values, so it often feels like a big waste of my time, which is draining. I often feel like I have to cram my real "life" into the few hours I have after work... My Masters will be for a career change, and I'm really looking forward to the next step in my life 🙂
I find that I go to bed earlier if I don't have obligations the next day. Weird, eh? But obvious why: going to bed doesn't bring my "me" time to an end.
I do value my work - at least when I get to do the real work and not the rest of the usual nonsense that goes with any job. I also think what I does matters (usually - there are days...) and take distinct pleasure in my association with my employer. That said, I often point out how work gets in the way of my real life. My observation is that few earn our living doing something we'd do for free.
You, however, have identified a dissatisfaction have are taking steps to address that. Pretty darn big steps, in fact. You should be proud of this. You're working toward making your job in line with your values. Be patient and keep at it, you're on the path and you'll get there in good time.
I would blog for free. lol Though maybe not with QUITE the consistency that I currently do...
But it's not like I make a living from it. Even my frugal self couldn't keep my family of six going on my blogging income.
What time do you go to bed?
8:00 or 8:30. We go to bed before Joshua does, unfortunately! lol
My kid's are all at busy ages - 18 (Senior in High School), 15 (Freshman in High School), 11(Sixth grade),and 9(3rd grade). Some days I feel like I am running in circles. By the time I have coordinated everyone's schedules, made sure homework is done, squeezed in family meal time, errands, make sure everyone's chores are done, those who play have practiced instruments, and had family scripture and prayer time I am usually EXHAUSTED! 🙂 I've started combining activities and multi tasking to make more time. For example: we have scripture reading and family prayer at dinner time, because everyone is usually there. I run errand that are close to where the kid's have sports practice, music lessons, or debate study (15 yr. old DD's activity). Dear Hubby and I divide and conquer when it comes to running kids. We also only let our kid's pick one sport or activity to participate in during the school year. I do have to confess that I probably spend to much time blogging and blog hopping. 😉
My parents had the same one-activity rule! Only way to stay sane, I think. 🙂
I was just telling my youngest daughter yesterday that minutes add up like pennies do in the jar! (my response to dawdling children during school hours!) I need to look at my own day with this in mind too! 🙂
Ah yes...it's painful to apply that to ourselves, isn't it??
I started with this post and went out to read your whole productivity series. I love every bit of it, and I will start a time journal starting now 🙂 Tomorrow officially. Maybe if I'm brave I'll share mine, too! Scary!
I loved your "Get thee to sleep" post. It's the huge productivity booster I have the most problems with. I work 10 hours at the office. I get home by 6:40 or so, and should be in bed by 9:30 leaving me with only 3 hours free time. Temptation to stay up late to do things is high!
Loving your blog, I'll continue to come back for more.
Van,
After reading her post on going to bed on time, I made it one of my "unofficial" new year's goals to get my butt to bed at a decent hour. So far I'm doing... worse than average, but better than I was before. My goals is 10pm... Sheesh, I have less than 2 hrs--better get to it!
I really liked this blog because I am constantly getting onto people for the same thing. I always hear my friends complaining that they just don't have enough time. They don't have time to cook a healthy meal, so they pull through McDonald's. They don't have time to visit multiple stores in order to save money on groceries. They don't have time to clip coupons. There is always time for something that is important aside from, as you mentioned, those extremely busy periods. I was working full time, attending school full time, and taking care of a household and a child single-handedly and I still had time to cook meals and bargain shop!
Thanks for the reminder to go to bed.... Boy I am soooo struggling with this one!
Please pray for me!! 😉
Speaking of batching errands, I have another little trick. This one may be too obvious, so if it is, just skip it! But anyways, when I write out grocery lists or Target lists, I write them geographically, according to the store.
I designate sections of the list for different aisles of the store and then map it out accordingly.
Example: I've been to the grocery store enough times to know that if I walk through the door and go to the right, I 'll walk into the produce section. I also know how the produce is generally arranged, so I write my list accordingly: lettuce is the first thing I pick up, oranges next, carrots at the end of the list because they are at the back of the produce section.
So here are the benefits of geographical lists:
1.) Increases shopping efficiency. Majorly. No more going to the produce section once or twice because I failed to read my list correctly and forgot something. Also, it just helps you get in and out of the store faster. There really is no reason to stay in the grocery store for more than 30 minutes.
2.) Keeps me out of "baddie" aisles. These are the aisles where the potato chips, soda, and ice cream lurk. I never have those items on my list, so I just never need to even go there.
3.) Keeps my food fresh and refrigerated appropriately. I am not really strict about this, but if you are, this can help! Planning your list geographically ensures that you will get ALL of your produce and packaged goods first, before trekking over to the freezer section. Then, you can just throw your frozen food and dairy products into the cart right before you check out.
Hope this helps someone!