Time Machine

One more call yesterday, one more project. It’s great, but I need to find a way to get more time in my day.

I bet you go through that too, don’t you? How can you possibly get it all done inside of 8 or 10 hours? Well guess what? You have plenty of time (so do I). You’re just not capitalizing on it.

Take this time right here, for instance. What time is it for you? If it’s before working hours or after, good for you. But if it’s say 10 am or 2 pm and you’re staring down a couple of immediate deadlines yet still surfing the blogs, tut tut. Honey, I’m guilty of it, too. I’ll get on a writing roll and get the excitement level up in my ADD brain, then I leap onto the Internet “just to check” the blogs. If you can find a way to disable IE during writing hours, do so. And tell me how because I’m suffering here, too.

Then there’s email. This one’s an easier fix. Just close the damn thing. Right now. Do it. Resolve to close it and not open it until you take a lunch break. Don’t worry about someone not being able to reach you instantly. Just because instant contact exists doesn’t mean we have to be slaves to it. Turn it off and pretend no one’s home.

Same for your cell phone. For some reason, this bug has never really infected me. Maybe it’s because I had the basic crappy plan phone for ages and only recently upgraded. Still, my cell phone is on, but it remains in my purse all day. Seriously. Turn it off or put it somewhere you won’t hear it. Check it at lunch time.

Then there’s the “land line” phone. This one’s the worst for me. Calls from family and friends sometimes get in the way. Do yourself a favor. Turn the ringer off if you can, inform everyone you’re going to screen calls during business hours, use caller ID and don’t answer unless it’s work-related.

Now, if you could just get the rest of the family to move out until your quitting time. Kids are the toughest, but if you live near a Y or any other organization with activities for kids, sign them up. Get them in the car in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. Use your mornings to write uninterrupted. When they’re back from day camp or Bible camp or whatever, you can have lunch with them or spend 30 minutes reconnecting and giving them your attention (that’s all they want, you know). Then you can let them know you’re off to work. Hug them. Make eye contact and tell them you’re glad they try to be quiet for you. Close the door if you have one. Work.

How do you find time in your day when time seems to be at a premium?