The Time Management Payoff

Every since returning to work after being on holiday for Christmas, my schedule has been more than full.  Out of the past 12 days of the new year, 6 of those meant getting home from working with clients well after 8 pm.  And still there were emails to answer, invoices to write, marketing to handle, and household chores to be done.  Needless to say, it’s been a little hectic.

Catching up with friends, taking a break, or simple R&R has been hard to work in.  Last weekend, I was able to slip in a quick dinner with my baby cousin & his family who came in to see the Mizzou bowl game, my family’s alma matter,

But I needed a break, girl time, a release, time off, some brain mellow time.  So, I set my sights on this past Saturday.  There were no plans on my calendar.  No friends had said they were available.  I hadn’t asked anyone if they would be interested in, at the very least, having dinner.  What I did do was make the very most of each waking hour of the past 12 days, daily checking items off my To Do List, working towards Saturday night.

Sure I was tired by dinner each evening & ready to veg in front of the TV….and this is when all the new season episodes air!!   Okay, I did watch Downton Abbey while answering emails.  My disclaimer here is that I don’t have children, not even a dog.  But running your own business as a one woman show can be pretty time consuming.  I’m always thinking about my baby (my business) or my clients (my adopted children) & how I can solve their puzzles to make their lives better.

I had a goal.  A free Saturday night without To Dos hanging over my head making me feel guilty for taking some time to regenerate.  Yes, there were surprise To Dos each day.  But, when Saturday night arrived, I had 96% of everything completed. And I would have gotten one more done if traffic hadn’t been so bad headed into Dallas. I headed out the door.

What was the difference?  My attitude each day.  Instead of letting frustrations, lack of sleep, body weariness, brain fog, surprises, extra challenges or a To Do list that could be overwhelming get me down, I focused on one item at a time, felt blessed to be working, learned from each challenge & appreciated clients reaching out to me for advice.  My positive attitude kept me going.  I refused to give in to the tired before the day was done.  And kept my eye on my goal.

Saturday night, I went out with the girls for dinner at a nice restaurant.  Turns out, it’s the last chance for us to get together before one starts her heavy, international travel schedule where we never know what time zone she’ll be in & the others get heavily involved in their children’s school & sport schedules.   Because I had managed my time & taken advantage of each minute, I was fully present to enjoy the evening.  Nothing was nagging at me.

So you might ask me what Lache Seastrunk of Baylor University Football has to do with managing my time wisely.

At the table next to ours, a young gentlemen returned to his seat, & something about him caught my attention.  I had noticed his family as we were seated.  All generations were enjoying each other’s company & time together.

As they started to leave, Football on the young man’s shirt caught my eye, & I  just had a feeling.  Looking closer I finally saw Baylor in an outline.  As he passed by, I wrangled my nerve, & said, “Sic’em!”

“Yes Ma’am” was his response.  The family stopped.  My jet-setting friend saw me floundering & offered that I am a Baylor Alum.  Did I mention I’m the rebel in my family who didn’t go to Mizzou?  I quickly confirmed & spoke for Baylor Nation on how much we really enjoyed the past years of Baylor Football.  “I’ll miss it next year but might try to sneak back in a new player’s jersey.”

OMG it’s Seastrunk!!!  Give me a break here.  It’s sometimes hard to recognize athletes without their game day uniforms.  Besides the fact that Lache Seastrunk is usually running like a streak of lighting.  At that moment he was just standing….in front of me!

I played it cool, laughed & told him that would be just fine with all of Baylor if he did sneak back.  And, we would miss him because we will.  A fine, talented man representing my beloved alma matter & all it stands for right in front of me.  My positive attitude & hard work had been rewarded.  I just wish I had been a little goofy & asked for his autograph.  I’ll just have to settle for being a little starstruck.

Sic’em Bears!!

When have your time management efforts paid off?

I’m here to help you by disclosing my knowledge of how to organize & be prepared for any situation.  I will show you tips & tricks through posts on the Styled & Organized Living Facebook page, @StyledOrganized on Twitter & the Styled & Organized Living Pinterest page.  Some posts will be simple tools while others will be ideas to consider.   But all will show you how to gain a little more control over your life through organization because Life is Better Organized!