Tag: time management

Overcoming Weekend Work-Week Blues

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A short while ago, I could feel the pressure of futuristic events that I knew I’d have to deal with. It was that Sunday feeling that 9-5ers have the day before going back to work – because it was the day before going back to work! Since I began working full-time again, I’ve noticed this pressure building on the weekends, that sigh of knowledge harking the end of short leisure time, and the beginning of a long work week ahead.

Because I normally can’t stand that way of being, I decided to try and let go of it, relinquish the thoughts and the ‘netflixing’ of projecting myself into the future and what I’d be doing.

Being Present

Pose a logical challenge to your mind while it ruminates over this. Ask yourself, is this useful? The quick obvious answer is no. Try following up by asking yourself why would I want to sacrifice my present moment, for thinking of what is going to happen? The true answer to your life is that the present moment is all you ever really have. You cannot experience the past again and the future hasn’t happened yet. Try to focus on your present moment wherever you are. It could be at the cinema, with your family or in your bedroom alone. Listen to the sounds, notice the fundamental details of your surroundings, whatever they might be, and accept it. You’ll find not only have you curtailed the ‘before work week’ blues, but can experience joy in the moment.

Surrender

Surrender. Accept whatever it is that is your life. I think we sometimes become transfixed to what we deem as ‘ideal’ and are so dissatisfied with what we have that we refuse to be happy until we get it. However, the goal posts never really stop moving back in life, when you finally get what you want, you’ll soon want something else. It’s the nature of the beast. Difficult at times to accept I know, but know that change is a constancy in our universe, and that the river of time pulls us all downstream. Everything is subject to change, no stone is left unturned. And since what you’re feeling is not of any use, surrendering it means it doesn’t have any more power over you.

Sense of control

You’re 100% responsible for what you choose in life, remembering that you chose to take on the job you’re at will give you a sense of control. Try to remember why you took on the role in the first place – more money to save, supporting your family, climbing the corporate ladder or something else, can help in your resolution of going back to work every Monday morning. Don’t forget your why. It’s what drives you beyond other things such as salary or benefits.

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Calendar – Organising and Committing to Tasks

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Calendar
noun
1. The bane of the disorganised people’s existence and yet the solution to a lot of their implementation problems. ‘Oh my god, I need a calendar’.

Do you like my definition? Not exactly Oxford’s standard but makes a lot of sense to me (someone who wishes the calendar fairy would come along and wave her magic wand and banish my procrastinating tendencies away!) Picture the fairy dust just waving it all away…Ahem.
Here we go.

calendar-post
Here’s a pic. Of a calendar. In case you didn’t know what it looked like…

I’ve struggled with not just creating an organised calendar but committing to each of the action items. Some tasks really only take a minute whilst others require more effort, brainpower etc.

What I’ve found it really boils down to is self discipline and accountability. You’re the only person responsible for implementing the tasks that you’ve appointed yourself to do, which is a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. Since I’m looking at setting up my own business as well, I’ve found you need to be very committed to what you set out to do which can be different to when you’re employed, as you may have a boss that will cast the odd look over your shoulder. Just, y’know, giving you the nudge.

For those of you who are like me and struggle to engage in organising and committing to tasks, here are some tips:

  • Think about how you will feel after you’ve done the task – you’ll feel good right? Right.
  • Each task brings you a little closer to something or somewhere you want to be. Remember it’s the little things you do everyday that will eventually add up to something bigger. Baby steps guys.
  • Treat yourself everytime you get a difficult task done. It doesn’t have to be major – it could be that new episode on Netflix you’re dying to watch. (Ahem, Marco Polo).
  • If you find that you did skip over particular task, and it’s not time sensitive, push it to another time so you don’t lose sight of it. Try not to repeat too much!
  • I spoke to a business owner recently and he told me to pick a day to go over your weekly calendar. My day is Sunday and I usually revise tasks that need to be done for the upcoming week. It gives you an overview of your schedule and how you see your week going (make you feel organised, even it though doesn’t go as planned).

Has anyone else had the issue of sticking to certain action items on a calendar and getting them done? Or even maintaining a calendar week in/week out? As I know from experience that time management is not my forte! Any more tips are welcome :).