Wasting Time

Pen to paper! List what you need and want to do...refer to it throughout the day.
That's what works best for me.

Setting a timer! Getting the most important things done early in the day and planning for "down time" to play with the kids, work on a hobby, that sort of stuff. Don't allow yourself to be lazy until you have accomplished something you want to do that day. So, make a list, I suppose. I'm working on this too!

#1 Setting time aside for fun stuff.

In my own life I can get a zillion more things done if I make sure that *I* have playtime, too! As mom I don't always get that (esp since I haven't had help at home for 6 years)... but making sure I have a little RileyStandardTime every day, and ideally 1 daytime slot for a few hours each week (I homeschool... so I don't have an awayschool break), and every few months I try and have my son in a camp for a week (not always possible).

Life comes up... there are days I don't get any time to myself, and months that go by without an afternoon off or a daycamp week... but in GENERAL... the better I look after myself the more I get done, so I look after myself. If I'M NOT looking after myself, it had better be an emergency... because that's no way to live. I've btdt, and learned that lesson!

During times when I CAN'T look out for me, stuff slips. I carve out a little sanity time when I can, but I never reup my energy, so it's treading water/surviving rather being really efficient. I find when I'm "wasting" time... it's because I haven't alloted enough "me" time.

#2 Prioritizing

Like most people, I have multiple layers of priorities. My husband HATES the way I prioritize, and that's helped me to get really secure in the way I do it (conversely? ironically?). One of the great benefits in having to fight for what I believe strongly in, is that I actually DO believe strongly in my priorities.

Just as an example: my son is my highest priority. As long as I've done right by him during the day... then I'm okay with the rest of it. This means that sometimes I'm late to (or have to skip) class (I'm also in school), or that my GPA is lower than it "could" be, or I might not be able to do x, y, or z. And there's no resentment there. Disappointment, sometimes, but no resentment. And when I look back on a week, even if there have been a lot of failure to complete something I WANTED to... I can feel pretty good about myself for having done right by my son. He's the one ball I always keep in the air.

Then my priority list unfolds downward. Some things are paralell, but most are pretty linear. As long as I'm hitting my highest priorities FIRST, then I'm taking care of business, and can feel secure in my choices.

Because, in my own life, there are always choices. I'm QUEEN of having my cake and eating it, too.... but I can't eat the whole cake at once!!! There are many things I'd LIKE to be able to do... and when it actually gets painful that I'm not... they move up the priority list... but they never make it to the top. #1 is my son. #2 is my sanity. #3 on down are all interchangeable.

My husband hates my priority list, because he wants things done that are about 50 line items down done before I take care of the first 10. Nope. Huh-uh. Not gonna happen. I've tried to explain he wants #52 done, fine, we can move it up to slot #4 or something and set time aside to do it... but I can't do #1 THROUGH #52. There's just not enough time in the day to do EVERYTHING. I have to actually plan and allot resources.

Make a list before you go to bed the night before, and look at it again first thing in the morning. Keep it handy throughout the day and refer to it often, marking off items as you go.

That's all I've got.

I'd say making a schedule and sticking to it. Yes, you can schedule the time you need to be in bed as well ; )

If you finish something and have time on your hands before you need to do something else you can always "waste" time then.

I know I could always use more tips like this. I find myself at the end of a day thinking I wished I had done xyz. But, I really did have time, I just wasted it. I think physical lists really help, not just the lists in my head. ;) And a timer. Maybe setting a 30 minute timer for the computer time would be helpful. Then, get up and get to work. After another task is completed, you will feel more motivated to get more done. Or, reward yourself with 15 more minutes on the computer and up again.

No tv. I gave up 98% of it last year. I also enjoy listening to audible books while cleaning.

I don't do New Years Resolutions...I just try to live right and honestly.

If you don't want to waste time - make a list of things to do and then start doing them. You will ensure things get done and your time is not wasted.

If you want to include hobbies in that list - do it!! That's NOT a time waster...taking care of ourselves in VERY important and hobbies are part of that.

Oh my gosh - I was just thinking about this today!! I definitely waste too much time, especially playing on the computer. This year I've decided the best thing I can do is make a list of what needs to be done and/or maybe even a schedule for daily tasks that I am determined to stick to. That's about the only way I'm going to accomplish anything!! Good Luck!! and Happy New Year!!!

Do NOT multitask. It's been proven that we get less done if we are doing anything more complex than walking and chewing gum at the same time. focus on one task and get it done. Make a list and find a routine. For example (and this may seem crazy) on Mon. I dust the house. Tues. we sweep the whole house (i do the living room every day since that is where baby plays) Wen. bathrooms, thurs. mop. that leaves friday, sat and sun with NO chores. Obviously with 4 kids and another on the way we do laundry (1-2 loads a day) and dishes daily. For me this means I really have only about an hour of housework a day and it's done in short periods of time. Nothing builds up, and there are 3 free days if something doesn't get done.

The best way to set goals is make them by changing your routine. For example, set up certain times for doing things through out the day. Don't take your self completely from something but reduce it a little at a time. Before you know it , it is a routine. SO decide what you want to do more of like exercising maybe and set a time for it and do that daily. That would be one change you make and hopefully stick to to make it your routine. Then start a new thing. DO not change too much at one time otherwise it won;t stick.

Wasting time = procrastination and not getting anything done that is important.

I think for any Mom with kids... it is real hard to "waste time."
And that, any time we get to ourselves, is spent relaxing or keeping up with chores, or just reading a newspaper and having quiet.
To me, that is not "wasting time."
It is "me time."

I really don't waste time. Even if I am on here.
I mean, I am CONSTANTLY doing things in the house and outside/running errands etc.
I do get done, a mountain of things everyday.
Then, I also sit here... doing Mamapedia.
It is not wasting time.... because, I DO get things done in tandem with this.

I really don't see how any Mom "wastes time."
We Moms are naturally always busy. And we can't be constantly on our feet 24 hours a day. We need to be human.

my mother use to carry a bag with her needle point, books, mail to go through etc so when she had to wait somewhere like the doctor she would go through her bag starting first with mail and ending with her hobby. It made her very happy.
when at home -- it is a choice - do you want to be on the computer? or do you want to complete a hobby project ?-- perhaps the computer is your hobby or relaxation? Best wishes

I don't make New Year's resolutions. I have a journal and I take stock about my life in it every August and September. Over time I have seen my character change for the better. I also have set goals for my life in it and met them.