2. Evaluate your commitments. Look at everything you’ve got going on in your life. Everything, from work to home to civic to kids’ activities to hobbies to side businesses to other projects. Think about which of these really gives you value, which ones you love doing. Which of these are in line with the 4-5 most important things you listed above? Drop those that aren’t in line with those things. Article here.
(Thanks again to Leo from Zen Habits for his wonderful to-do list.)
This is a project I have been undertaking for a couple of years now. About three years ago I was trying to be super-mom. I worked part-time at a professional job, tried to do an at home party plan business (worst mistake I ever made but that’s another story), volunteered for several school committees, and raised two young school-aged children while my husband worked nights. Just writing it out now I’m shaking my head – What was I thinking? I enjoyed all of these things while I was doing them, but the short of it is that it took an awful toll on my family. The kids did not do well being ignored while I was on the computer or the phone. My husband did not like me being out of the house so much, leaving the kids with babysitters, and I can’t really blame him for that.
So, I have evaluated my commitments, and whittled them down to just a few. They revolve chiefly around my family, and my employment. I have promised myself to give my full attention to my family when I am with them, and to stop trying to multi-task 3 and 4 things at a time. The same goes for my work time. I do have some hobbies, many that I have gotten away from while I was busy with the outside pursuits listed above. So I’m going to get back to sewing a quilt for my daughter, that I started years ago. I’ve taken up needlepoint, and work on it a bit at a time. I love to read, and listen to books on tape in the car on the way to work, so I will enjoy that time as well. And I will get back to a routine of working out 2-3 times a week. I did that for years, and I guess I took for granted how good it made me feel. I haven’t worked out regularly in about a year, and at 43 I feel like an old lady (actually I know old ladies that have more energy than I do). Working out again will help me with that, and give me back some energy, and confidence in myself.
And I’ve started this blog. This might be seen as a time waster – but I find this is very important and helpful to me in getting away from my ‘consumerism’ self. My chief hobby as a 18-25 yr old was ‘shopping’. While pleasurable, it really wasn’t very rewarding in the long run. Reading other blogs on frugality, simple living, and financial responsibility (see list on the right) helps me stay focused and motivated. It’s nice to know I’m not alone on this quest!
Have you spend anytime recently evaluating your time commitments? Do you feel you spend your time wisely, in pursuit of the things that are important to you?
I’m pretty good about protecting my time. Everything scheduled is pretty much focused around the kids. We say no to a lot of other things so that we have time at home. I too have learned and been inspired so much from reading blogs. I have to be careful though because sometimes even blogging is a time zapper.
This is the time of year for our family when we really need to carefully evaluate our commitments because we are involved a bunch of things that started back up again this fall after a summer break. With the extra commitments on our plate, it’s important to ensure that what’s most important doesn’t get neglected. Right now we seem to have a pretty healthy balance, but when we have kids, I think we will have to cut back a bit. It’s a great practice to evaluate priorities regularly so thanks for the encouragement!
(by the way, in case you were wondering, I’m Sarah from Lifestyles of the Organized…I keep forgetting to log out and sign in the right way!)