You know what they say, if you want to be a writer you should write every single day. I myself have said this. And facebooking, "Easter technique: Eat chocolate til you feel sick. Lie on floor playing board games til feel slightly better. Eat more chockie til feel sick again. Repeat indefinitely", does not count as quality writing, apparently.
The only sensible thing that I have to say is that I am the time-management queen of the universe. I give you my stellar time-management tips below.
Multitasking: I often ride to work, getting my exercise/commute multitasking mojo in gear. (Note cycling metaphor. Genius.) This gets my blood pumping first thing, and forces me to eat a healthy breakfast before I leave. I ride at a fairly easy pace so as not to arrive all sweaty. Cycling to work has to be the best thing ever. You may have to change into your work shoes when you arrive, if you need to wear impractical shoes for work. I'm allowed to wear practical shoes for work so I WIN!
Delegating: I have been delegating tasks to teenagers... actually, I left for work on Friday announcing "I am never coming home, this house is too messy. You and your friends go right ahead and burn the house down while I'm out." After work I bought two bottles of wine and went to a friend. I called home to say "Max and I are eating supper at Tracy's, and you have to STARVE because I bet there isn't a clean fork in the house." They laughed at me and said that they were enjoying a completely clean house, and dear readers, they had completely cleaned the house. Vacuumed, washed, put away, scubbed the stove top, made the beds. It was like a maid service had been. So if I need to delegate to teenagers I need to remember to suggest that burning the house down is a suitable activity.
 |
| Chas' Breakfast Documentation |
Organization: I recently got a new Filofax. I've always been a Filofax person, as I love the way you can compartmentalize your life into different sections. My new one is larger, an A5 size, and it's very helpful. I have a section for Blog Posts (with completely brilliant ideas that may never see the light of day), Article Ideas and Notes, Things To Do, Diary, Blank paper for drawing and doodling, pockets and sleeves for sticking stuff in. I carry it with me everywhere, so that everything is in one place. Previously, I had my smaller filofax but often made lists which got lost because they were on larger pieces of paper, or wrote article drafts in other notebooks... I noticed that I tended to use A5 notebooks and sketchpads for stuff, so wouldn't it make sense to store everything in one A5 organizer? It works for me. For some people, a smart phone might be a better option. I used to blog from my blackberry, so it is possible, but I am still seduced by stationery! Whatever you do, if you're a freelancer, you need a way to keep your life organized.
And if you're a working mother who also freelances and has kids and would like her life to be not just about drudgery and toil, you need to multitask, delegate and organize. Also, wine, chocolate and awesome friends are a must.
4 comments:
Indeed! I live for my friends and organisation! I made my husband buy a ladder so he could put all of the baby stuff we don't use anymore in the loft! I am looking for the ultimate in decluttering. One day it will happen! I will persevere!
Your kids cleaned!
How lovely!
And biking to work is even lovelier.
Easter candy is such a gut-buster. Struggling here, too.
The breakfast of a manly man! Hubby would be green eyed with envy if he saw that.
Surprising what kids do when left to it :) My 10 year old was in charge of breakfast and had them on rations when I had to leave them to go to work for 2 days over the holidays. I'm talking rapped knuckles here. She then took over the tea and dinner department because the officer in charge (13 year old) was being negligent in her eyes and was thus demoted by her to beverage duty. My husband of course was in deep despair and kissed my toes when I returned ;)
I used to cycle to work when 2 of my siblings and I rented a flat in St.Anns - through the botanical gardens and down the Savannah on to Maraval road. It was the bestest!
Before I got my own bike I used to hitch a ride to work on the handlebars of my brother's, YEEHAR!
The only downside of cycling in Trinidad was that if I was riding my bike on the road, men in cars used to reach out of their windows and try to push me off the bike!
Vicki
p.s. Bring on the wine!
Those are some good tips. Right now I have four notebooks! EEP! (Blog, Day Job, The Studio, Dream Notes). Oh and 5th , a mini notebook that is in my handbag for quotes I hear that I like. I will look into the Filofax option.
Luna
Post a Comment