Hi There! This blog will no longer have any new post or activities. Please click here to go to my NEW blog, as I've depleted all the memory on this one. I hope to see you there! I will, however, continue to keep this blog up, as there are tons of ideas and tutorials that you may want to search through. When you are done searching here, please head on over to my new blog and visit me there. Aloha, Teri

Friday, October 26, 2007

Candy in exchange for advice!

ETA: Wow! great advice here...after I try some of these suggestions, I'm gonna have to write a book! There's still time for more advice, so if you've read this and didn't post a comment and sign my guestbook, do it before Sunday! I'm thinking of ADDING MORE WINNERS to this candy...winners will receive a set of my Breast Cancer Awareness card/duck set!
BIG sigh...Why is the time slipping away from me?? Yikes! Sorry to disappoint all of my readers out there (I love you guys!), but lately, I just can't get a grip on all that I need to do. Anyone out there with some time management suggestions?? I'll take any advice!! I know what my island buddies will be advising me, don't take on so may projects! I think it's just the extra stuff that I've been doing lately. (another BIG sigh...) Okay, okay, moving on...I was finally able to gather some fun candy to give away. Here's what's up for grabs: 1 pack of SU's ribbon originals - Seaside; 3 KI memories Color Lab vials - one with bling, one with felt shapes and one with colored clips (cute!!); one dozen punched giga scalloped circles (assorted colors); one dozen stamped Holiday greetings from Hero Arts clear stamp set called "Laughter and Merriment" - love the birdie on this!; 1 yard of turquoise grosgrain 1/4" ribbon, 1 yard of cranberry stitched ribbon, 1 yard of twill tape with the words happy holidays on it (from Making Memories) and 1 yard of red grosgrain ribbon 1/4". Whew!
To win this fun candy, I'd like for you to post a comment with your best time management advice, cuz I really need some good advice :) Also, if you haven't signed my guest book, it's been pretty lonely lately and I'd love to see some of you new visitors on my guest book. Don't be shy!, post a picture so I can see your smiling faces!!
I will select a winner through random.org on Sunday, October 28th! Looking forward to some good advice so I can post regularly like some of you girls out there!!

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Teri,
I totally understand not having enough time to get everything done. All that shows is u have a good heart <3.
I agree with your island buddies. Taking on less projects is a start. Then you can focus your energy better. And for those you would like to help but unable 2, show them how it can be done. Be there 4 them but have them ultimately create the project. Since sharing what we love to do is so rewarding, they'll understand. :) Plus, its not where you're choosing one project over the other. It keeps things in perspective & creations fun and enjoyable! :D Why turn it into work?
So whatever you choose keep smiling and take on more only when you can. And if you choose to show them how to do a project they will be greatful for your guidance. ;)

~j

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

Time management...what is that? Ü I look forward to reading the comments! I'm one of those that needs more minutes in every hour...more hours in every day. I do think I need to do a "flylady" thing and do something fun for 15 minutes and then go do something necessary for 15 minutes!

Jacki Marie said...

to quote one of my best friends, "Sleep is overrated".

I hope that this doesn't come across like a cliché, but prioritizing is the only way to do to it. Reevaluating those priorities periodically is also smart. Don’t be afraid to say “NO” to other’s claims on your time. For me, the challenge is telling myself “NO”. Some things may be enjoyable for you, but now is not the time; they are for a different season of your life. There was a story going around the internet a while back about prioritizing using a jar of rocks. If I can find it, I send it to you. It is just the visual I need sometimes. Best Wishes in your quest.

Jacki Marie said...

actually the story is from Setven Covey from his First things First

heres a link to the story.

http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadtime.html

jodene said...

My only advice is to only take on what you can reasonabily handly. Learning to say NO is hard but your important too!

Scott Franson Photography said...

You have a great blog! I'd suggest learning to say no, sticking to it and not feeling guilty for doing it. Also make lots of lists.
Claudia

Rosella said...

WOW! This is a hard one for me as I really need to do this myself. We had something like this in school once and we had to write down what we did every hour of the day to see how we were managing our time. Sorry, I don't get around to it. I kind of like Denise's advice to add some fun to your schedule. Think I will try this as not to get overwhelmed with the boring responsibilities.

Ellie said...

Well this is something I fight w/EVERYDAY.. BUT somehow I have started to do some more improving on this topic.. I actually bought myself the K&Company Planner, it is awesome as it is a perfect planner for a scrapper as it spots for idea you get through out the day and of course space to write down what you have to do..and I made a promise to myself to check it daily and and the end of the day I check to see that I did what I needed to do, if I didn't I put it for the next days stuff. I also got me a blackboard where I write everyday what I have to do.. and I have my kids doing what they have to do throughout the day (well my oldest when he gets home from school) I seem to never have enough time in the day BUT I have managed to start getting into a grove and its allowing me to do what I want and need to do..(Its not easy as it sounds not going to lie you have to keep at it) Hope anything I wrote helped in a small way. I know how hard it can be when you have SOOO much in front of you and yet you feel like you just don't want to do anything.. Like this moment I'm suppose to be finishing a project and what I doing.. Reading blogs! LOL.. BUT I just do this and then keep going! So I send you a lil push and hug and tell you.. YOU CAN DO IT!!!


Ellie Augustin
e@scrapbookmama.com

Angel said...

I am not the best for advice so take it with a grain of salt. My life is slowed down right now cuz I am not working. But I always keep a list and mark things off. If you get up early and make your bed, shower right away it gives you more time in the day it seems. Flylady.com recommends putting on your shoes so you're ready for the day. Will be looking forward to the rest of your tips!

Rita said...

Teri, when your hobby becomes stressful, it's no longer a hobby & you need to take on less. When someone asks you to do something for them, tell them you will show them how to get started & let them do it. Life is too short, we need all need to put less stress in our lives. As we get older we learn that life lesson real fast & de-stress. Good luck girl! Thanks for a chance at some great candy.

Cindy Vernon said...

I am a list maker myself. I try to make lists that are reasonable, meaning I think I can accomplish what's on there. I can also tell if I've taken onto much if my list is crazy long!

Cathy M said...

Great blog and what a sweet giveaway you are sharing. I'm one of those people that want to do everything and of course in reality will not happen. My advise is to write a list on what you need to do and go by that. Make sure you add your FUN stuff on it also. My other advise is to forget reality and just do your FUN stuff.(tee hee) I guess that would be in the PERFECT world.
Hope this helps. Thanks for a chance at your sweet candy.
cmeyers@hughes.net

MelissaS said...

Ah, Time... I also struggle with it, too! Between work, my ds and dh, and housework all calling for attention, how do I find time to stamp? I make a list of things I would like to get done (challenges, birthdays, events coming up, etc). Then I prioritize by date. If something is a quick project, I'll squeeze it in. I do my blog reading while on dinner break at work and keep a list next to me as I work to jot down ideas, etc. Hope this helps!

Momsnack said...

Learn to say NO! I was serving as an officer for a couple of organizations, doing my usual 2 morning a week volunteer work, member of a couple of committees, and trying to do the normal stuff, house, craft, etc. I finally decided I had to say NO once in a while!
NancyS (momsnack)

Tricia T said...

Keeping up with everything is really hard. I have a Franklin Covey Dayplanner that I use. Every morning I write down everything I can think of that needs to be done... from dishes to stamping to blurfing to homeschooling. I write next to it approx how long it will take and then see if I've gone over my hours available in a day. Then I can prioritize, including some of the fun stuff as well as the "must do's".

Unknown said...

Surround yourself with things you love (saw this phrase in someone's blog). Life is too short and precious so take time to do things you love and enjoy and spend time with your friends too. Learn to prioritize and delegate if needed.

Anonymous said...

i also need to work on this but i do keep a list and that helps me focus. one thing i do for my kids is setting a timer. if something should take you 15 minutes then give yourself that much time and then stop....i use this on my kids for cleaning up...it works great with them. i haven't tried it on myself yet.

Jan Scholl said...

some things just arent important so dont worry about them. I pay the bills, feed the face etc. But if my floor doesnt get swept today-I dont care. I think I have less time for me with no kids at home than I did when they were still here 10 years ago. so I dont worry about what other people think as far as my house goes. I only have so many years left and I am gonna have some me time somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Honestly.. I don't have any great advice, except to stop being a 'people pleaser'. ;) LOL!! I'm the same way and always take on SO much.. i've cut myself off of swaps till after Christmas and am going to do what *I* want to do for a few months.. NO is ok. ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey Teri...cheer up...just remember that there is only one you and you need to do what makes you happy...so only pick and choose what you really want to do and what will give you the greatest pleasure. I know some times it becomes so overwhelming but in the end...it's always worth it. Remember life is to be enjoyed and that time is too short to be dwelling on the past or what you could of or should of done. just make sure you do it for the right reasons and you'll be okay. I know you are really great under pressure. I'm telling this as a friend to you...not to win the prize...I don't need it. I just want you to know you have support and that you always come out on top!

BlueBlueAmy said...

Hi Teri -
the best advice I can give you is to re-evaluate your time lines. It's OK to say yes to new projects, but be realistic with the due date (and add some extra time for the unexpected). All those small 5 minute tasks add up and they need to be accounted for.

Have you heard of 42 files? It's based on David Allen's books "Getting Things Done" and "Ready for Anything". He realy helped me get organized at work.

Good luck!! Amy

Heather Leech said...

Hi Teri,
I actually enjoyed reading all of the other comments as I too have a problem with time management. Learning to say 'no' without guilt was something that has really helped me. If you don't take care of YOU, you're not going to be much good for the things you really need to do.
Take care, and thanks for a chance to win a great prize!
Heather L.

Anonymous said...

I believe that all stampers are "givers" so all of us need a little tap on the head to remember to say "Sorry, I can't do it", in order to survive. Its difficult but gets easier each time.

Take it from one who learned the hard way that the wheel still spins without you. So, enjoy each moment! :D

Jodie said...

hey Teri-

this is what I do... in my franklin covey planner or pda I catogorize whats most important and needs to get done and i ATTACK from the top down...

Jenny said...

One of the hardest things to do is time management. Make a list of things you need to do, and cross off the things you have completed. Sometime writing stuff down makes me realize that I CAN'T possibly get all this stuff done in a reasonable time frame, and thats when you have to deciede what can and can not be done. It may be hard to say NO but sometimes you do have to put yourself first!

Alison said...

I'm a big fan of lists too. Just the act of crossing something off, no matter how small, is a big motivator to me. Also, I'm a big believer in Flylady's 15 minute blocks. You can do anything for 15 minutes. All the stuff that is stacking up that you've been avoiding doing, like laundry, ironing, cleaning... just set a timer for 15 minutes and do one of them. Then you can move on to something you really want to do. That's all I can offer today!

Gina Wrona said...

I would start off by prioritizing projects/items according to their deadlines. So basically if it's not due tommorrow then don't worry about it until you can get yourself ahead.

Allow yourself some "down" time when you can just relax, hence that's why they say Sunday is a day of rest.

Natalie said...

Hi Teri!
Thanks for the candy op! I love sharing ideas and reading other people's suggestions. I hope you find solutions that work for you.

My time management solutions are ridiculous, but I'd love to share them with you!

- multitask whenever possible (even if it's as simple as brushing your teeth in the shower)
- sacrifice sleep (I'm sure you're probably already doing this - but it's how I get it all done)
- lists... write it all down: your tasks, your brainstorming ideas, your resources and your priorities
- know your limits and say NO to anything you don't absolutely have to do yourself.
- take time for yourself.

I hope this helps. We all get overwhelmed. Just be sure to allow yourself some time to decompress. :) Best wishes!

Cheryl KVD said...

I always make a list of things that I want to get done. I then assign a date that it has to get done by. If it's not on the list, it doesn't get done. That's how I make sure that the top priorities get done. Thanks!
Cheryl KVD

Risa said...

Hi Teri!
I know that you work and that factor doesn't leave a lot of "me time". Try making a schedule, and put a "cap" on the time you will devote to what ever is on the list. (especially during the week) If you have the type of job where your weekends are free...then you might be able to take on a bit more. However, when you have a full-time job, it's almost impossible to do all the "fun" things you want to do.
malieta:)

Betty said...

Make a to do list and the time you need to have it done!

Candes said...

The best time management advice? Cut back on your duties! Enjoy life! See a great movie, or perhpas visit the library, get out for a great dinner.

You only live once! And if you reach the point of having to manage your time, you need some change! Just look over your daily tasks, and ask yourself, "would it be a catastrophe if I didn't do this anymore? " You are only one person, leave some tasks for the next person. ;)

Marcia G said...

I myself am a do it and get it done kind of person..so..I can't complain!! My dh on the other hand is a procrastinator. I think procrastination has to do with time management, so sit back and look at yourself and make sure your not a procrastinator, then go from there!!!

deelong said...

I make lists like most. There never seems to be enough time in a day. I also set my phone alarm often to remind me to get off the computer or even the tv so other things get done. I even set an alarm for naps, I get refreshed and dont oversleep. Lots of great sugestions here :)