Stop Multitasking!

What? This woman is off her rocker. I can't get it all done now, so how the heck am I going to get anything at all done if I don't multitask?

Relax. I'm only suggesting you stop multitasking for a few minutes. Then you can go right back to doing a bunch of different things at once, I promise.

The problem is that we all have so many responsibilities and commitments to tackle. Without a clear view of the big picture and a good game plan, we spend our days burning all our time and energy on the wrong things, and in the end, we lose. Have you ever set aside a whole day to "finally clean up this mess", only to find yourself farther behind than ever the next morning? How many books have you started this year? How many have you actually finished? And how many years in a row have your New Year's Resolutions looked pretty much the same because you never have the time to take on the big goals?

In college we were all looking forward to making it to 27 so we could simply outlive Jim, Jimi and Janis. Now, though, with 27 long behind me, I really need a greater sense of purpose and accomplishment in my life to feel fulfilled. The transition into parenthood can be particularly hard on people who found a great deal of personal satisfaction in their work, and now find themselves home alone with someone who doesn't even sit up, let alone converse. I've personally been a SAHM, WAHM, and working mom myself at different times, so I know each situation affects the other aspects of my life in unique ways. How does it affect you? Why did you choose the life you're living at present? Do you enjoy your work, in or out of the home? How do you feel at the end of the day? How does your family feel?

Admittedly, those are some daunting introspective questions, probably not easily or honestly answered in just a few minutes. Baby steps, baby steps... Try sitting down somewhere quiet with your resolutions and your planner for just a few minutes. Turn off the phone, shut the door, stay up just fifteen extra minutes and compare your aspirations to actual days. If you don't have a planner or haven't written down your goals, just jot down two lists on a blank piece of paper: Someday, and Today. Now pick one thing, just one, from your goal/someday list that you really truly want to accomplish and could actually do so in a few months if you could find the time. What about that photography class you want to take? Or that IRA you've been meaning to set up for years? Now trade one thing on your daily/today list with that one thing from your goal/someday list. You've just made something important to you part of your real life.

You may also notice that there are a few other things you do every day that aren't really necessary, like taking out the trash every single day. Is it really full every single day? Probably not, especially if you recycle. How many hours a day do you spend online or watching tv? Both are enjoyable luxuries (especially now that you've found my blog), but treat yourself to only the best that each has to offer and limit your "mindless" time. Cross off one or two things for good and you've just bought yourself some breathing room each week.

There. In fifteen, maybe thirty minutes you just reorganized your priorities, eliminated several things that were wasting your precious time and started working toward meaningful personal goals. Who knew you were so powerful? I did. After all, you're a mom.