neversremedy8 | Time Revelation

There are a number of goals I have, and I constantly wonder why I never get through all of them. So, I started by writing out a list of things I wanted to be doing each day, then a list of projects that need to be done around the house, and a list of things that explain what healthy means to me. (I started several sheets in a GDocs spreadsheet project, fyi.)

I took these priorities and went back to the first sheet in the group and wrote those things I'd like to do on a daily basis. I left the topics broad (e.g. learning time, help Ana with schoolwork, wash/groom time, etc.), and in the next column assigned a number (in hours) for how long I thought it should take me to do it, or how long I'd like to allot to that activity each day. I included the important things such as making/eating meals, sleeping, and writing. I began to add other important things that I usually have little or no time for or simply don't push myself to do: reading, playing games with the family, taking vitamins, exercising regularly, and so forth. I even added in things that I want to be doing but never get done like craft projects and house cleaning and reorganizing projects.

Then off to the side, I used the SUM function to add up all the time from my column. Know what I found? I think you can guess.

Even with my significantly conservative time allotments (rather minimal, reasonable times), my goals required 26 hours in a day. Worse than that, they allowed for no amount of down time or vegetation. I did put in time for meditation and time spent with family, but there's no room for projects or activities that go longer than expected, for time alone without a requirement to be active, nor a chance to read a favorite book.

What does this tell me? The expectations I have for myself and time use are unreasonable. If I want to honor my body by providing it with sleep, supplements, and good food, I can't compromise on those times. If I want to honor my personal development and potential income, I must put effort into writing, learning, and meditation. If I want to honor my family, I need to spend time with them.

It also makes clear the need to shift priorities from day to day, and decide which priorities are interchangeable. For example, I could either blog today or surf around. I could either work on a craft project or play a game with the family.

Also, some things don't need to be done daily like I believe they do. If I only give half an hour to the Eila books on nights when I've chatted with Sera for an hour and a half, that reduces my demands. If I use Ana's weekly day off on schoolwork for my own projects, then there's another few hours I could have flexible across the week.

But as it stands, I don't even have enough time to read my favorite web comics, let alone learn a new skill or language. Even my time allotted for writing is rather minimal.

Time to reevaluate, and take it easier on me when my to do list doesn't have check marks next to everything by bedtime.