My quest to simplify has begun.
One of the biggest things that has to go is stress.
I've been making a list {and checking it twice...} of some of the things that cause me the greatest stress.
{and are things I can actually do something about...}
I have started to realize that some of my troubles could be alleviated by participating less in the activity of procrastination.
{which I have honed to a science...}
Recently I came across a fabulous idea that I think will help a lot.
I wish I could give credit where credit is due, but I can't.
{Sorry!}
Back in Deadwood, while waiting for clothes to dry, I sifted through a stack of old magazines in the apartment building laundry room.
Something about clearing clutter/creating order caught my eye.
The idea is really very simple.
Brilliant, actually....
First, you gather all the supplies you need for your task, because you aren't allowed to go looking for them later.
This could be big garbage bags to clean out a closet, everything to write your Holiday thank-yous, or, in my case, all the stuff to fill in the new year's calendar{s}.
Get yourself something to drink {and maybe a treat...} and make a trip to the bathroom because your next 60 minutes will be interruption free...
Now set a timer for one hour and get busy!
No stopping to check emails...
No going out to the kitchen to see how much coffee is left in the cupboard...
No walking off to look for your lost _________...
This really helped me because my mind tends to wander and I am very, very, very easily sidetracked.
The idea here is, that one hour isn't that huge of a commitment.
But the hope is, after one hour, you might be:
A) Done
B) Far enough along that you want to keep going
C) At least have a good start
I always put off transferring all my dates and appointments to my brand new calendar.
It is like some strange ritual.
I can be flipping back and forth between the old and new year for months.
And now, not only do I have my calendar to keep track of, but my Mom's as well.
Even more stress.
So I tried the idea from the magazine article.
On New Year's Day, no less!
Stuff all together, I sat down, set the timer and began.
Some things on the calendar, I really look forward to!
Some, not so much.
{Actually, I'm hoping to do away with the need for this reminder before 2012 is over...}
I kept at it.
Highlighting and filling in the squares.
I never left the chair.
And 61 minutes later, I was done!
Try it!
It works!
I'm already planning my next One-Hour Activity....
I am impressed and think that is a great idea. I get distracted and then come back to a half finished job but i'm too tired to finish it. I will try this. I'm working so hard to clean out clutter!! It's my new hope for not only my home but my life as well. hugs, Linda
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | January 10, 2012 at 10:07 AM
That is a great idea. The "walking off to look for your lost _________" is one of my favorite distractions. I will suddenly think of something I haven't seen in awhile and I obsess about it until I find it or waste hours looking and not getting my to-dos done!
Posted by: Bobbi | January 10, 2012 at 02:45 PM
Thank you for this post, Pam. I read it and then put in an hour on de-cluttering my home. If I keep at it -- an hour a day, every day, I'll eventually get it done.
Posted by: Sharon | January 10, 2012 at 04:09 PM
How did I miss this post. This sounds like such a good idea. Now that you've tried it and it worked, I can do it too, right? We'll clear out all those nasty distractions in 2012!!
Posted by: Betsy | January 15, 2012 at 06:37 PM
I love this idea. I am somewhat prone to procrastination about boring old admin chores around the house. This would really help me get cracking, I think.
Thank you so much for sharing. Even if it wasn't your idea, you put it into your own lovely words! I love the warmth of your blog.
Sarahx
Posted by: Modern Country Style | January 25, 2012 at 06:45 AM