Scheduling for Success

I changed all our schedules around over the weekend and today was our trial run. Things actually ran very smoothly and I feet much less stressed  now at the end of today.

The main thing I did was look at the "pressure points" of the day, the times when things become really hectic and overwhelming - at least for me. I redid the schedules for Austin and Amanda so that their free time would correspond with less busy times of the day and they are on duty to help with some of the crazy times. For instance, dinner time was hard for me because I was trying to keep and eye on the little kids while finishing dinner and filling plates. So  now Amanda watches the younger kids. Austin fills plates and cups.And I help between the two as needed and help the younger kids with wash up before dinner. Things were so much smoother and relaxing this evening. That change is definitely a keeper


Austin asked me today why I'm always changing the schedule around. And I guess I do tweak it quite a bit. I explained to him that people and circumstances do not always stay the same and that I am always looking for ways to make things work better for everyone.As I learn more or see something change and need to be addressed I change things to work better. He was satisfied with that explanation and seemed to like the changes.

This new way of doing things allows things to flow better while providing the older kids with the chance to do some things they've been asking to do. I took into account their needs and wants as well when I made the changes. Austin has been asking to do more cooking and I definitely have him scheduled for more of it. Amanda is learning how to do some of daily logs and paperwork which she will enjoy when she gets the hang of it.

Life is a journey and I find if I try to stay in the same rut all the time I don't get very far on that journey.Sometimes I need to force myself to take a good look at where and how I'm traveling and make sure I'm still on the best route. If I'm not than I need to make the appropriate changes. I'm hoping to teach my children this as well.

The Challenge

If you remember in this post I was happy because I had gotten up early and spent some time on the exercise bike. And I said I would report back whether I had continued success on following mornings. Well, I didn't. Not once the rest of the week did I get up on time for a repeat performance.

I have made myself so many schedules, promised myself so many times that I would follow those schedules. I have read books about time management, motivation, etc, etc. I have improved with time and gotten better at sticking to a semi-routine. I have gotten better at getting those unpleasant tasks done that I really don't want to have to deal with. And in general I am more productive than I was even a year ago. But not to the point that I know I could and should be.

It's not that I plan a schedule so full that there's no room for the unexpected and no time for fun. I've gotten very good at making schedules that include rest times, time for fun, family time, and creative time. There are blocks of time when nothing is scheduled. They are very beautiful, inspiring schedules - on paper. And that's where they stay, on paper, not translating into daily life. Oh, parts of them would be followed, and I might even make it through a whole day now and then. And then the new plan would be deserted.

I know my biggest problem is self-control. It's too easy to decide I just don't feel like it this time, I'll try again tomorrow, or next week. Mornings are the hardest for me. I always say I wake up one brain cell at a time. Which, considering how few I feel like I have left, shouldn't take too long. But, anyway, it takes me a long time (and at least two cups of coffee) to feel like I'm awake in the morning. But if I get my mornings started right the rest of the day flows so much more smoothly.

So -that brings me to the challenge.

My kids have schedules for their school work and their chores and their work in our home business. And they have me looking over their shoulders to make sure they stay on track. So I asked them to help me stay on track. I made my schedule in a way that looks very similar to theirs (only much longer) so they would easily be able to understand it. Then, I explained to them what I was doing and why. I told them that if I didn't stick to my schedule this week that on Sunday I would do all their work plus mine.

I loved Austin's reaction. He laughed, stuck out his hand and said "Deal." Amanda's excited. I think she thinks I won't make it.

But I'm up for the challenge.