tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post7977135408683554280..comments2024-03-09T04:17:11.014-04:00Comments on One can't get over the habit of being a little girl all at once...: Miller Time Friday: We Need a Schedule, People!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-27320389825810981402013-07-27T10:07:47.172-03:002013-07-27T10:07:47.172-03:00Yes, in the old days of many patients in hospital,...Yes, in the old days of many patients in hospital, we would have a card for each one in our lab coats. Now it's all on computer and easier to keep track of.Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13175229460841379583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-35226423550791867292013-07-26T18:57:32.051-03:002013-07-26T18:57:32.051-03:00Hey Gigi - I hear you - mine is set up in my compu...Hey Gigi - I hear you - mine is set up in my computer and rudely reminds me that I have things to do!!!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-64992592970779992122013-07-26T18:56:50.843-03:002013-07-26T18:56:50.843-03:00Hey Lane - I am just now getting to the lists - fo...Hey Lane - I am just now getting to the lists - for a long time I even shied away from list-making. But then I was worried i was going to wake up at 90 without having written my opus! I like the index card thing - did that start out as a medical thing?WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-89756383218413812122013-07-26T18:55:19.635-03:002013-07-26T18:55:19.635-03:00Rose - I think you are absolutely right - for me, ...Rose - I think you are absolutely right - for me, having some kind of a schedule forces me to do things. For others, it is a lodestone around their neck! I think we all have to find the best way to get things done that works for us!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-91994099122706331992013-07-26T15:01:51.275-03:002013-07-26T15:01:51.275-03:00I tried this approach pre-baby and it didn't w...I tried this approach pre-baby and it didn't work for me at all. I think if I had set an alarm on my phone, that might've helped. Otherwise, the time windows still get mangled when I get into the thick of a task. Have a good weekend, Wendy :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06119918515498248436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-14573677165632639232013-07-26T14:56:26.255-03:002013-07-26T14:56:26.255-03:00I don't have a particular schedule any more af...I don't have a particular schedule any more after years of to -the-minute life. And like you, I am enjoying it NO END! I always make lists, though, and manage to accomplish quite a lot. I wish I were a morning exerciser but too much morning stiffness. My 4x6 index card goes with me wherever with a column for market, one for short things ( like making appts, calls), house tasks, and a whole side for longer projects/ideas. I roll it over to a new card every weekLanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13175229460841379583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-379046970033761462013-07-26T13:07:56.487-03:002013-07-26T13:07:56.487-03:00WMM, thinking again about my writer friend, she is...WMM, thinking again about my writer friend, she is the most organized person I know. We used to be roommates in university. She was the one with the list of items to do that would get checked off as they were completed. Me, not so much. I am more of a pressure-prompted person (I used to call myself a procrastinator, but assessments call me the former, and I am not going to argue with those, since it sounds better). That means I work best with a deadline in mind. I 'percolate' the project in my mind until it's time to put it down on paper (computer) and then go at it. <br /><br />So I think it's best to find out what kind of personality you are and work with that, and not beat yourself up if you are not the 'checklist' type. <br /><br />Have a great weekend!<br />Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05184724930345348154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-45504511044460270892013-07-26T11:45:56.464-03:002013-07-26T11:45:56.464-03:00There is something about a tick mark. And a cockt...There is something about a tick mark. And a cocktail...WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-15691606757474574992013-07-26T11:45:11.484-03:002013-07-26T11:45:11.484-03:00HI AJC - I know what you mean - the structure give...HI AJC - I know what you mean - the structure gives us the backbone for the rest of our lives doesn't it? I am so happy that you have found this great new place to work - so exciting!!!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-31867766476157311382013-07-26T11:43:53.829-03:002013-07-26T11:43:53.829-03:00Oh Suzy! Please email me offline - sydforry@hotma...Oh Suzy! Please email me offline - sydforry@hotmail.com - would love to hear all about it!<br /><br />Funny - I just don't know how I used to get it all done! Of course, a lot of things we didn't get done. <br /><br />I have to say, apart from the marked lack of stress and the ability to finally have the time to write, my greatest joy has been reading! I am a reading fool now! All I really read for the last 8 years in particular were briefing notes, reports and emails. This is such a treat!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-15971560378166738602013-07-26T10:44:59.367-03:002013-07-26T10:44:59.367-03:00Oh, i can so relate... I had this time off the las...Oh, i can so relate... I had this time off the last few months and it has been great but i could not get anything done, never knew where the time went. I am back to work next week and although i dread not having time to just drift thru the day it will be good for me and i know i will het much more done. I just crave structure.ajchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15697200294387151584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-23022575374026344532013-07-26T10:13:37.677-03:002013-07-26T10:13:37.677-03:00Boy, can I relate to this!! I 'retired' a...Boy, can I relate to this!! I 'retired' almost 4 years ago. I'd have thought all those projects I wanted to get to around the house would be finished by now. Truth is, they are never ending! I had to do the same thing. I could waste the day away in no time. It is just the last several months that I had that wake up moment that told me to get ORGANIZED! And we are FINALLY getting our kitchen re-done! That's been on the burner for several years. PS Thank you for all the Paris/France info. We had a fabulous trip! Those 2 weeks are still living in me. Suzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708653277798146489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-91474543285711019282013-07-26T10:10:22.287-03:002013-07-26T10:10:22.287-03:00Oh let me know if you make them - I am too lazy - ...Oh let me know if you make them - I am too lazy - I always buy the parasols!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-38122147636416754472013-07-26T10:09:49.786-03:002013-07-26T10:09:49.786-03:00AB - I think you hit the nail on the head - I thin...AB - I think you hit the nail on the head - I think we need a bit of structure and purpose to be productive. For me, the pendulum was so far into "overwork" that when it swung back, it swung too far. Now I think it is slowly righting itself!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-28669013362311427472013-07-26T10:08:32.321-03:002013-07-26T10:08:32.321-03:00I am back into Life After Life - got sidetracked b...I am back into Life After Life - got sidetracked by a bunch of other books and for some reason, it didn't grab me quite as much as the others by her, but it might have been the mood I was in! I am still working my way through Hilary's first book - got to dig that out. I started it when I was still working 80 hours a week and realized I haven't finished it! Thanks for the recommendations!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-54255750867679496142013-07-26T10:06:27.086-03:002013-07-26T10:06:27.086-03:00Lily - I hear you! I felt the exact same way! I ...Lily - I hear you! I felt the exact same way! I think the key is to schedule, but not worry if you break the schedule! You only have to face yourself in the boardroom or classroom, so it is so much easier!WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-31678202578502434502013-07-26T09:51:04.547-03:002013-07-26T09:51:04.547-03:00 Good luck with you next venture WMM. I find that ... Good luck with you next venture WMM. I find that it is hard to ever stop working when you work from home. It is really never part time. Pattern for parasols,you say- off to find them!Pat Olskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122299121164106652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-45613641511926453192013-07-26T09:34:09.147-03:002013-07-26T09:34:09.147-03:00WMM, I hear you on the "just as busy as when ...WMM, I hear you on the "just as busy as when I had a 14 hr. a day job," how does that happen? Where does the time go? I also want to get back to working and responsibility, shaping the young minds of the world through my "brilliant" academic work may not suffice ;-) Oddly enough, the less I do, the more tired I am!<br /> Anthro Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923838563131831044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-65243009853759840362013-07-26T09:31:52.188-03:002013-07-26T09:31:52.188-03:00I am also quite regimented, fueled by lists and ha...I am also quite regimented, fueled by lists and happy when things get ticked. Your schedule looks very good and balanced. I imagine when you hit the big time and publishers are asking for a book or two a year, it will be writing 8 to 5. So enjoy it while you can. BTW, I downloaded the shortlist for the Women's Fiction Prize this year to read on vacation and let me say it is a very solid line-up if you are looking for things to read (AM Homes, Hilary Mantel, Maria Semple and Zadie Smith). Curious to see how May We Be Forgiven can win over Life After Life and Bring Up the Bodies but I quite liked it actually. Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02708265736473324024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-47055858957389393442013-07-26T09:10:58.992-03:002013-07-26T09:10:58.992-03:00I retired fairly early as well - I was a high scho...I retired fairly early as well - I was a high school teacher, so for 30 years my life was strictly scheduled and run by bells. One of the things I enjoyed the most in the early days of 'funemployment' was not paying any attention to time, being completely schedule-less, and revelling in the freedom of being outside to enjoy a beautiful sunny morning or afternoon 'playing in the garden' as one of my friends calls it. I really avoided anything that was a regular commitment - i.e. every Tuesday at 10 sort of thing. I signed up for lots of volunteer work, but all of the short-term variety. My philosophy instead was to try to do something fun, something useful, and something healthy every day, and that worked well for the first few years. Just recently, having accomplished a lot of the things I wanted to do when I first retired, I have once again started to feel the need for more structure and organization (and also for the same reasons you describe, Wendy) so have joined a gym which I now attend on a regular weekly schedule. I still like the idea that I am free to take advantage of any last minute opportunities which come up, though, and I do!Lilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-22731485687983966842013-07-26T08:17:08.933-03:002013-07-26T08:17:08.933-03:00Without work, I would reach my true potential!! Bu...Without work, I would reach my true potential!! But seriously, work is just so wrong. Nietzsche had it right. 4 hours a day is ample time for work. The rest of the day is much better spend in contemplation and self reflection!ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04081478322678615146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-40081906664998827672013-07-26T08:14:58.163-03:002013-07-26T08:14:58.163-03:00Me too, for the cocktails!!Me too, for the cocktails!!ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04081478322678615146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-40536244217815131992013-07-26T08:09:12.171-03:002013-07-26T08:09:12.171-03:00TIME OUT Well, I'm back on a schedule in a big...TIME OUT Well, I'm back on a schedule in a big way the last four and playing catch-up this morning. I am a bit like BBs weekdays, in that I make lists either on paper or Todoist and include a category for fun, or accomplishment that only matters to me. Use these checkboxes as "rewards," incentive once I have ploughed through the dread and dull items. And sometimes while it grits my teeth to have things time slotted outside the office, I do love the sense of accomplishment that comes from the tick marks.<br /><br />Cocktail par-tay, I'll be right over.GetFreshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15426579144685310371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-53034445526024710862013-07-26T08:02:04.505-03:002013-07-26T08:02:04.505-03:00Ruth - I hear you - work is a time sucker... :-)Ruth - I hear you - work is a time sucker... :-)WendyMcLeodMacKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04830981147524921562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8140814948262466589.post-18013733615954601932013-07-26T07:55:08.517-03:002013-07-26T07:55:08.517-03:00Oh god I am terrible at schedules, although very d...Oh god I am terrible at schedules, although very disciplined about getting up and yoga. I get up early, work, come home, process children then go to yoga or Pilates. Then repeat. It's a bit monotonous, but it's the only way no to descend into chaos. Perhaps with more of a schedule I'd achieve more, but at this stage I don't really want to do more.....<br />Work takes up far too much time. Without it I'd be far more productive.ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04081478322678615146noreply@blogger.com