Time Management

This week has been a very full week. My husband and I helped our daughter, son-in-law and baby granddaughter pack and load up to move to a new location. On Monday, I read, watched and listened to the various presentations on time management. Then on Tuesday began helping our kids pack for their move. I had planned to be to their home by 9 am, since my husband was to attend a seminar in their area (1 hr away from our home), and would be dropping me off on his way; no problem. Well, his plans changed, so my plans changed. I did not get there at the time I had hoped to. On Wednesday, we returned to their home to help load the truck. This time, we left at different times. My plan was to be there at 8 am. I arrived about 8:15 am. Not bad considering the long day previously. Fortunately on Thursday, I did not have an appointment until 10:45 am, 5 minutes from my home. I believe I was a minute or two late. I do not like being late. I think I tried to squeeze too much in before leaving. We were to attend a cookout our daughter and son-in-law were having at 3 pm Thursday afternoon. Again, we were a little late but because of taking care of different things before leaving, I believe having to do with the move. Hmmm...this is beginning to look like a pattern. Friday morning I had our 1 yr old granddaughter while her parents drove their U-haul 3 hrs away to unload at their new home. I took her to a music class, was a couple of minutes early. Working around a toddler's schedule can be challenging when you're not used to it.
This was not a normal week for us, our schedule was off. As I was on the road travelling to our kids' home, I spent time thinking about the lecture given by BJ Fogg on how to change behavior by making small changes, and connecting them to something already familiar that you do. I like this idea and hope to give it a try. Also, the information on the Covey Matrix was not new to me but was a good reminder. I think this week, with our kids moving, was filled with important and urgent activities. Things just had to get done and in a certain time frame. So, we did what we had to do.
We did have to deal with a major interruption on Wednesday evening. My husband and I needed to be back at a certain time for a commitment. We left when we planned, allowing plenty of time to get home. We both had goods in each of our vehicles belonging to our kids. I struck out first for home. A little past half way home, my husband called to say his truck was not working properly. To make a long story short, he ended up having it towed. So, since he couldn't make it to our commitment, I went, then picked him up later. This obviously changed our planned schedule, but we adapted, made some phone calls, and things worked out. This interruption became urgent and important, not much we could do about it.
Life sure becomes interesting at the most inconvenient times. Sometimes the best thing to do is to be flexible and adapt and make the best of it.
I do hope to put into practice the suggestions made by BJ Fogg, connecting small changes with something familiar. I also think I need to allow more time to accomplish whatever is on my list for the day or be more realistic about what can be done in the allotted time. I believe this would connect with the Covey Matrix.
Next week I'm back to work ( I work at a school). We'll see if I can incorporate some of these ideas into my schedule. I think that would be a very good idea.
For those who may struggle with trying to squeeze too much in to too little time, spend some time thinking realistically how long your tasks will take, add a little more time to what you think it should be, so that you can allow for interruptions. Prioritize your tasks, so that what is urgent and important get accomplished for the day.