If time were a train and you were on it, you would cover a lot of ground as you reach your destination. If you jump off our metaphorical train to walk instead and allow it to leave you behind, your intended destination will never be reached. Such is my daily struggle. I have a plan to complete my self-assigned tasks, but often abandon it and just say “F’ that, let’s take this detour”. My day begins with the best of intentions. My plan consists of a schedule designed to keep me occupied and productive. I, inevitably, end up sidetracked by domestic chores, like watering my garden, and suddenly, I notice, one of my trees or cactus requires some cosmetic attention. Left unchecked, I will be gardening for the rest of the day. This is when my schedule gets me back on track. On my daily schedule, I will list the things that need to be done first and the things I want to do second. Then, I have to see how much time is left available to complete my list. What doesn’t get penciled in will be a carryover ’til tomorrow.
The things I want to do every day are as follows; shower, shave, and dressed for the day.; an hour of exercise; ride my bike on the beach; drawing in the studio; write for my blog. On days when they all get done, I feel like a superstar. On days when they are not, I feel like the day has escaped me and blame myself for not following my daily schedule. I actually have to add my medications, vitamins, water, and food. Otherwise, I will keep going until I no longer feel well. There is also my little American Eskimo dog, Pulu, and she requires four 10 minute walks a day. It is never convenient for me, but she insists on them.
As for the things that I need to do less of, those are my time vampires. For example, checking my emails are a big-time sucker. If I don’t have actual work, there is a daily avalanche of emails dumped in my inbox to keep me occupied. Sorting through them can be the biggest time-waster or the most amazing thing of the day. Also, there is YouTube where I could spend twenty lifetimes and not watch everything I want. Meal preparations take up way too much time, but since I am on a strict diet due to a life-saving lifestyle change, I keep it going. When I examine where my time goes, I am sometimes disgusted by my inefficiency, and other times I am surprised that I can keep up.
Here is my daily schedule sheet for your amusement.
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