| The art of balancing work and play is difficult in today's | | | | sleep! I try to cut myself some slack on the |
| society. If you are like me - a woman who has | | | | weekends.Or this => I can also get sidetracked while |
| dreams, passions and a creative side stifled during the | | | | cleaning by going through the magazine rack where I |
| day to earn a paycheck, you have to be extremely | | | | find pages from the newspaper that I'm saving to |
| organized and use time management, priorization, and | | | | write about.On this topic I'll conclude with "do as I say, |
| lists and planning to balance work, home and time for | | | | not as I do" since I'm still working on mastering |
| yourself.Time Management and MultitaskingThree | | | | it.WeekendsOn weekends I am often up until 2 AM |
| nights a week, there are TV shows that I can't miss. I | | | | writing, reading or blogging. I usually nap on the |
| use this time to iron, fold laundry, check my emails. If I | | | | weekends, giving myself permission to rejuvenate my |
| really need to get to use my creativity, I use the time | | | | body, mind and spirit. Frequently, in private or group |
| to make beaded jewelry, paint or make greeting | | | | meditations, I sing or chant, fulfilling my need to be |
| cards.Writing Lists and Making PrioritiesAs an avid | | | | connected to the Universe and unplugged from normal |
| notetaker from my past school days and as a writer, I | | | | weekday activities.One goal that I have is to take |
| already carry at least one "brillant idea notebook" in my | | | | spiritual time, even if it's 15 minutes to start, during the |
| purse and in my car. This enables me to write down | | | | week also. Spiritual TimeThis can be praying or |
| (Web) article ideas, words or license plates that make | | | | meditating individually or in a group, observing nature |
| me laugh. One example is a hearst bearing the license | | | | and the Universe around me. For me, it's important to |
| plate "RUNext".Seriously, lists serve as a reminder to | | | | belong to a community of like-minded people, so I |
| achieve tasks that need to be done on a daily | | | | attend weekly religious services and spiritual |
| (short-term) and when I get to it (long-term) basis. At | | | | meetings.Nutrition and ExerciseYoga and Pilates |
| times my lists are too optimistic with several items. I | | | | reduce my stress level and doing it with a friend results |
| ease up by crossing off what I've done and starting | | | | in laughter at attempting poses that experts |
| two new lists: one for short-term (today) and long-term | | | | have been doing for years.Recently, instead of eating |
| (this week) projects on separate pieces of | | | | ice cream or popcorn for lunch or dinner, I've been |
| paper.Prioritization involves decision making - "do we | | | | eating salads, vegetables and trying to eat more meat |
| have clean underwear for tomorrow?" and must-do | | | | than dairy.So, you might be thinking, "what's the plan for |
| items that pop up including "the cat threw up again". | | | | this weekend"? |
| These may not be on the list, and that's OK. The list is | | | | Working on our income tax returns and |
| a guideline, not set in stone.The key question I ask | | | | Playing with the cats and spending time with my |
| myself is, "how important is it"? I use short- and | | | | husband are the priorities. At least one nap |
| long-term lists to achieve my daily and weekly goals. | | | | I might even do some laundry and cleaning in |
| I've found that writing down "relax", "play" and | | | | between.It all depends on what my spirit guides me to |
| "exercise" remind me to take the time that I need for | | | | do.Linda Blatchford is an experienced editor |
| myself.Work and CommutingThe average person may | | | | proofreader an writer and Web designerchic at She |
| spend at least 60 hours per week working outside the | | | | has a Basic Web Design Certificate and is hungry for |
| home and commuting. I've begun listening to | | | | new Web knowledge. She is currently working on |
| audiobooks during my commute and doing errands | | | | three Websites; proofing her recently completed book, |
| during my lunch hour. This increases the time I have | | | | "Cats Are People Too"; learning to make beaded |
| during the week to do household chores or freelance | | | | jewelry and other craft projects and increasing her |
| work for clients or updating Web sites.FocusIf you are | | | | knowledge of spirituality.Linda loves chocolate, cats, ice |
| not doing a project that involves multitasking, focus on | | | | cream, laughing, crafting and shopping.Linda is a |
| the task at hand and see it through to completion. For | | | | member of the Society for Technical Communication, |
| example, while I read incoming newsletters/ ezines, it's | | | | the National Association of Women Writers and |
| very easy for me click on Web links that take me off | | | | listserves for Chicago Women in Technology, |
| into the adventures of Web Design and copywriting | | | | copywriters and writers and spiritual ideas.Linda |
| and other interests.Don't do this => I have learned that | | | | Blatchford |
| if I get on the computer after 9 PM, I won't get off until | | | | Etailer, Web Designerchic, Writer |
| after midnight, and this woman needs her beauty | | | | LinorStore. |