I used to be so efficient! A time management professional. I could squeeze a million things into a day and get everything crossed off my list! My house was in order and my day was a well executed plan. THEN I HAD KIDS.
The first child was a blur as we moved when she was 7 months old. Enough said. Second child born not long after and the crazy that is my new normal began. Staying home & having three babies in three years and I totally lost the ability to Focus. I began Managing . . .going from fire to fire . . diapers, bottles, dressing, feeding, story reading, driving, shopping, doctors, cleaning up puke - never actually completing anything. THEN I DISCOVERED the iPHONE.
Fast forward 5 years and now I have mostly self sufficient kids but I have fallen victim to the iPhone, and twitter, and Facebook, and my never ending email. I can't circle the grocery store without "checking" my iPhone for something, anything, from anyone, that must be responded to STAT. Can't finish making dinner without picking up stuff on the stairs, organizing the mail, recycling the paper, Tweeting something hilarious, putting in a load of laundry, checking Facebook again, helping a kid with homework, getting a snack, getting a drink, paying a bill, breaking up an argument, putting in a DVD. Dinner used to take 20 minutes . . now I start at 4pm and we eat at 7pm . . .and its Spaghetti!!
Where did my Focus go? I need it back. I am getting dizzy. I literally stand in my house sometimes and am overwhelmed by the 300 unfinished projects that face me and I don't know where to start. So how do I cope? I check Twitter. See my problem!!
How do you Focus and ignore tempting distraction? Looking for useful tools to get my groove back!
Oh Deb. You describe me to a T. I wish I had some advice to give, but I am right there with you, doing 6 things at once and never really getting on top of any of it. I miss my old organised self.
ReplyDeleteSo, you're not alone. I'm going to keep an eye on this for comments from helpful people who might have some advice I can latch onto as well!
Wow, and I thought I had difficulties maintaining focus ... (I only have 1 child, and a childlike husband!) My plan is to focus on ONE thing at a time. Turn of all the gadgets once in a while (yes, difficult but possible) and concentrate on what your doing right here and now, whether it's cooking, playing with the kids, grocery shopping etc.
ReplyDeleteGuess we have to learn to live with the mess, the unfolded laundry, the dust etc. I found that a timer is a great tool both for work and bed time, bath time etc. When you work, close all the distractions (email, FB, twitter, iPhone) set the timer to 45-60-90 min. or what ever you need and have, and concentrate on getting your project done. This works great with my son as well: instead of arguing about another story, finishing the dvd, getting out of the bath etc. I tell him that he got another 5 or 10 min. I set the timer, and when it rings, time's up - works like a charm.
Ups, it became a long post ... Sorry about that! Will move on to dinner ;)
Stopping by from Canadian Moms, and am your newest follower. I hope that 1 of my blogs interests you too.
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Thanks
Tawna
Deb . .I hear you!!! And the more time I have "to myself" as the kids get older, the more un organized I get !!! Ack!
ReplyDeleteEvaemilie . . . I love that you commented at 5:33 instead of getting your family dinner ! Lol!! I like your suggestions tho. I must turn this stuff OFF and actually concentrate on my task at hand without distraction . . .setting a timer is a good idea to help set & accomplish a goal. WIll try tomorrow.
Hi tawna6988 . .welcome - will check you out as well! Love Canadian Moms!!