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Do you ever feel like you’re living the same day over and over again? I’ve been at this ‘Keepin’ It Real Challenge’ for a month now and as I look back over my daily journals, I’ve noticed a word that keeps resurfacing: Aimless.
As I’m sure is the case with most people, my days have a certain routine to them. In many ways, it’s comforting. I like routine. I like knowing what’s ahead. On the flip side, since I am ‘self-employed’ I don’t have anyone telling me what I have to do on any particular day. I know I have a lot to do, but get bogged down in the swamp of ‘too many things, not enough direction’. By the end of most days I come to the incredibly frustrating realization that an entire day has gone by and I have accomplished nothing. An entire day has been wasted. Again.
Monday, February 10: “Another totally wasted day. I posted to the blog, but didn’t get anything done around the house. Something needs to change.”
I always have good intentions. I start each day planning to be ultra-productive. But I look around with only a vague idea of all the things that need to be done, and since I don’t know where to start, I end up getting none of them done. Add to that the fact that I seem to have Mommy ADD (you know what I’m talking about; I start to clean the kitchen which requires me to put something away upstairs. When I get upstairs, I remember the big pile of laundry that needs to be put away. On my way to the laundry pile, I find some toys on the floor. I grab those, turn around, and head for the bonus room. Once I’m there, the big pile of papers on the desk catches my eye. I consider sorting them, but have no idea what I’m supposed to keep and what’s safe to trash, so I throw them back on the desk in defeat. “Hmm,” I think, “I’m thirsty.” So I go back downstairs to get a drink of water. I glance at the clock. It’s 11:30 am. Time to get lunch ready. Ugh, the kitchen is such a disaster. Didn’t I clean up in here earlier??) and I’m in a constant battle with uselessness. Of course, the awful feeling of defeat does nothing to help me pull myself out of the quagmire.
Tuesday, February 11: “In an effort to combat my aimlessness and make better use of the ‘To Do’ board on my Home Command Center, I’ve decided to write down a few things each day that I want to accomplish that day. Today’s list: Pay Bills, Clean Hall Closet, Lifetime Licenses. It seems small and ridiculous… I should easily knock that out and a whole lot more. But since I basically get nothing done every day, even a little will help. And hopefully, if this works, I can build up to bigger and better things.”
Well, I did get the bills paid and the closet cleaned. I’m missing a paper I need for the licenses, so those are still in limbo. I like this new system; I just need to figure out how to decide what to do each day. I know lots of you must be more organized than I am. Give me some tips! How do you decide your goals for the day?
And now, the part of the post where I show you pictures of our real, everyday life.
Eric turned 40 this week. We celebrated with strawberry pie.
It is NOT going to be fun when it’s time to take these things away.
The kids were sick this week… these were my best friends.
Another day, another tantrum.
Annelise spilled toothpicks all over the floor. I waited for her to pull a Rain Man on me, but it didn’t happen.
Have a great week, and remember to keep it real!