Time-Management - What step have I taken

If you keep posted on my life, you know I am a goals-driven person. Yesterday, I highlighted my latest huge goal. I believe setting goals are essential to achieving something in life...but most of us don't take the time to achieve anything. Why not?

Lack of time-management maybe? (Lack of motivation is another...I could spend a season of time on that one, maybe soon I will).

But what is time-management? Managing your time. (No brainer, right?) But really, do you manage your time? We get on FB, 'to check something' right? And 15 min. later our kids are having meltdowns because we haven't left to the park yet...that's what was happening in my home too often recently.

In addition to my apparent lack of time-management, I went and set a huge goal for myself. This could easily become something that would rob further time from my family, if I wasn't careful & responsible. My family is my top priority. But to have a goal that is beyond my family...I've got to master this time-management thing!!!

How often do we say, "I need more time"? We all say it right? What if you were to get up an hour or 2 earlier to get more done. Not sit in front of FB, or maybe you do make that your one hour of social media for the day. But I'm talking about get up early to fold some laundry, declutter the kitchen, balance your checkbook, or workout.

In order for me to be more productive w/ my kids, I needed more time of the day to be w/ them. I have been working out around 9:30 a.m., but in order for us to get to the park or out of the house w/out the heat of summer cookin' us, I had to make a change. 

Solution: Wake up & GET UP to work out at 5:30 a.m.

My change does 2 things:

• Allows me to work out, which is a top priority.
• Allows me more time in the morning hours to spend w/ my kids...which are my top of the top priority!

What's also happened is, I get my work and blog done, usually by the time they wake up. Lucky for them, they do not have witness mom sitting in front of the computer too long or too much.

It's 8: 30 a.m. and so far today I've:

1. Folded 2 loads of laundry
2. Checked my email & FB
3. Followed up w/ current BB members
4. Completed my workout
5. Completed my blog

So with that said, the baby is now awake, and it's time to "start"our day! I am starting the day off w/ such sense of accomplishment. Most of "my work" is done.

Next stop: Breakfast, some Word & then a spray park!!!! Living life w/ ease as I fight to manage my time.

Managed TIME = Managed LIFE!

Found the cure for bad attitude & grumpiness

At the start of Thursday, I was adamant that I would exercise & burn some calories first thing, since I missed my workout the previous day. And when I missed it on Wednesday...wow, I was grumpy. It challenged me to ask myself 'is working out an idol in my life?' And it just dawned on me, I did miss my shake too - that may have been the straw that broke the camel's back Wednesday. Hmmmmmmm, that makes sense to me.

Anyways, I had to ask myself, 'what are MY priorities?' My priorities are not the same as most/other people, and I have different demands on my time too. And although working out and staying in shape is NOT an idol in my life, it is a top priority. But, I broke the negative talk about the missed workout and set my mind straight that 1 missed workout would NOT turn into 2 missed workouts...and it didn't.

I did my HIIT 20 and Ab Jam on Thursday morning and felt great. So great that I managed to get the house cleaned, laundry washed and dried, the oil changed in the car, kids out to lunch, slip & slide in the backyard before dinner...and everyone washed & cleaned and in bed by 9 p.m.

This may be why working out  is so important to me & for me. It's my opportunity to get the blood flowing, adrenaline pumping so that my mind can be focused on the tasks at hand throughout the rest of the day. Start the day with some killer-cardio and bam - energy to accomplish my day!

Sweat running down my neck,
hair drenched after some calorie-
burning Turbo!!!

When I finish a great workout, sweat is dripping off my nose into the floor as I stretch, I feel like I can accomplish anything. And I typically do that day.

I think this is something many of you need to experience. Some of you look at working out as a chore, something you HAVE to do. You dread it...you talk yourself out of it...But I'm at the point in my journey that working out is something I GET to do. It's a treat to myself that I benefit from in so many ways.

Here's a few benefits I can think of: I look better in the mirror - that's an obvious bonus, right? Which in turn makes me feel better about myself. I've become more positive and confident, which is a blessing to my husband. Any stress I had is now minimized, a better frame of mind for the sake of my kids.

Working out is a blessing. People would pay money for a pill that could do all that for them...but you gotta work out to experience it all first hand. It's an amazing rush to complete a workout that made you push so hard, you're out of breath, heart racing...blood pumping. It's absolutely amazing I tell ya!

Maybe that's why I get grumpy when I miss a workout. I'm really grumpy because I miss the blessing in it. I missed my dose of 'feel good medicine'. Hmmmmmm. That makes sense, right?

Wednesday, I was unorganized, felt like I was in a hurry, completely impatient, running behind. (Remember, I missed my workout cuz I had to 'run out the door'.) Thursday on the other hand, I was tackling my to-do list, handling naptime as it came, adapted my list to accomadate a sleeping baby...and still got the important stuff done - with some mommy & boys' time with the slip & slide in the backyard. Life was good Thursday. This all followed a great high intensity workout!

So you know what is on the agenda first thing today: TurboFire baby...(and then I'm getting my toes done.) I have a light day today since I worked so hard to get the house clean on Thursday. What a pay-off! Score for me, the boys, and daddy! I think I'll stick to working out daily. How 'bout you?

Day OFF with the KIDS!

As I reflect over my priorities, I see that my time is not always going to the ones who mean the most to me. Not sure if I can stick to every Friday...but I'm declaring on this Thursday night that Friday is my day off with my kids.

I will still do my workout Friday, Saturday and Sunday...that's a high priority (not lord over my life, just a priority). I will  run an errand to the store (because it will help my home function more comfortably, and that's a top priority).

But my day is going to include them, my time, energy and attention are their's! In the end, I may need them to take care of me, so I better do the best job I can now while I still have them to leave them with fond memories. I want them to be nice to me when I'm a geriatric, ya know...Remember, I only get one shot at this!

(In case of an emergency, dial 911, I am detained for the next 24-72 hours or so! :) Bless ya!)