Time Management - A Skill I need to Develop

Having re-entered the workforce last week, and therefore not being able to keep my own hours, I have been forced to budget my time. 

Balance and moderation is everything.

I need to factor in all my time drivers such as gym, walking, preparing for my Saturday morning lectures, social events, blogging and everything in between. Last week (the first week) was an abomination. I actually felt like I was in a washing machine. The world continuing around me, but I didn't know which way was up. I was disorganized and unprepared for the major change that had just taken place. Disorganized. Unprepared. Two words not normally used to describe my character. As much as I hated it, I needed that wake up call to kick start my survival mode and figure out a plan of action.

I normally reply to any sort of communication immediately, but being new and under the watchful eye of my manager and colleagues, my phone remained securely in my handbag. Previously I was ever present on social media, constantly refreshing my news feeds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I felt compelled to stay up to date with every event happening in people's lives - from close friends to acquaintances, I had to know everything. Now I sneak in a few minutes on the above mentioned platforms (waiting for the kettle to boil or while dinner is in the microwave). Strangely enough, I don't miss it. Missing out on some status updates is of no consequence or effect in my life. Quite a powerful realization that was.

Many people all over the world juggle their time every day, some are even married and have children. Granted I don't have children so I skip the homework and extra mural taxi service gauntlets, but I still have to prepare dinner and make lunches for both William and I. Yes we have a domestic worker three days per week so cleaning the house isn't on my checklist, but I do still want to keep it tidy. Making the bed, packing the dishwasher, sorting laundry and the dreaded grocery shopping all take time out of my day. These items must be included.

My working hours are 7 - 3:30 Monday to Thursday, and I attend lectures every Saturday from 8am -  3pm. We are given homework to complete before the next lecture. I have worked and studied before, and somehow managed to get everything done then so this time will be no different. If I set aside one hour per day, four days per week I can complete the homework and will be in a better position come exam time in May. From June onward I have no intention of studying until January when I register for Honors. The break will do me good, I can regroup and enjoy not having to study -  the first time in 8 years.

In addition to all of the above, I want to see my friends, go to movies, catch up with my mom (yes, we live a few steps away from each other but still), and generally have fun. I realize I will have to choose between walking and the calisthenics class I attend for an hour Monday to Thursday. As walking has yielded the best results in terms of losing weight and fitness (a story for another post), it seems to be the most logical choice. I can always attend a class if the weather is unfavorable for walking, and other days when I can squeeze it in.

This week has gone a lot smoother as I am finding my groove (or keeping the balls airborne) and although I don't have a set timetable it may not be a bad idea to create one (this is a typical Virgo trait so please don't laugh).

Have a fantastic weekend all.

2013 - A Year in Review

2013. The year of the snake according to the Chinese zodiac.

An excerpt from Zodiac.com:

Ride the calmer waters of 2013 with ease!

Expect an exciting year, not necessarily for the faint of heart! The Year of the Water Snake begins February 10, 2013 and ends January 30, 2014. Be bolder and more open-minded as this year unfolds!

Do your best to get organized as the year begins. Setbacks, delays, and a need for some do-overs can challenge everyone's patience and resolve. In a Snake year, jealousy and keeping secrets works against everyone's best interests. A big lesson for all is to have the courage to face difficult emotional truths and still be true to what your heart tells you.

A snake of a year indeed. Personally, it hasn't been one of my best years, and come 31 December I will be very glad to see it go. In fact, I'll wave it goodbye with as much gusto as I can muster.

Things I've learnt in 2013:

1) Doing things for yourself is empowering. Those small niggly DIY tasks, or perhaps trying to do something new that you would normally ask someone else to do. You'll be surprised at the sense of accomplishment you'll feel when the task is completed. By the same token, if you try and don't succeed - ask for help. This was a big lesson I learnt in 2013, and remember there is no shame in it. 

2) Fix damaged friendships/relationships as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be to fix and although things may never be the same again, you will salvage a relationship that (at some point) meant a great deal to you. Try, and if the other party is not forthcoming, step back. There's only so much a person can do.

3) How to budget. Wow, now this one was educational. In today's tough economic times, a person has to budget. It is a necessity. The cost of living has skyrocketed. Between increased fuel prices and thus inflated food prices, higher electricity costs and fewer salary raises, citizens are forced to count their pennies and carefully calculate their spending. The latest gift the South African government has given us is E-tolls, right in time for Christmas, which only adds strain to the average man on the street's already fragile residual income. To combat this, I have taken out loyalty cards at most of SA's major retailers. True, my purse can barely close for the Dis Chem, Clicks, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, and Edgars loyalty cards that are in it, but every little bit helps. I may only get a tiny percentage of my spending back, but it's better than nothing right? Another trick is to rather take your own shopping bags when doing grocery shopping, and this alone saves you 27c per bag. It's all in the small things.

4) Happiness is a choice. Yes, I understand depressed people will argue that it's a chemical imbalance and they cannot control their happiness meter. I agree, but believe that these people can choose to be happy. Take that first step to seek help, and therefore choose to be happy. Go to a pychologist for counselling, and then if prescribed, take the anti-depressants. No-one can help you unless you want to help yourself.

5) Give back. Whether it be your time at an animal shelter or at a children's home, or if time is in short supply, a donation of either cash or goods. Many charities in our country do not receive government funding, and rely on the goodwill of residents to keep them going. I need not remind you of Karma, and what goes around comes around.

Right, onto highlights and lowlights:

Peaks of 2013

- Top of the list is our overseas holiday in June with my grandparents to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday. We did a cruise of the Greek Isles and Turkey, followed by a few days in Croatia. William and I then continued on to the UK for a week and caught up with some old friends - easily one of my favourite trips abroad.

- I lost a good deal of weight and became a fitter and healthier version of myself (blog post to follow in the new year).

Pitts of 2013

- Academically, it was a bad year. I was unsuccessful in passing the one undergraduate module in order to complete my Bachelor of Accounting Sciences degree. It is a subject I've always battled with, but have accepted that I need help in order to pass (see life lesson one)

- Some prominent people in my life really struggled this year, and the shockwaves from their battles impacted on me. Not going into detail with this one, but the problems have been rectified and going into 2014 I am hopeful that these issues will remain in the past where they belong.

Goals for 2014

* Pass that nasty subject (Group Financial Reporting) and graduate. 

* Find a fantastic job that enables me to travel (ha ha) and reignite my sense of self worth.

* Complete an Open Water Scuba Diving course and dive a ship wreck off the coast of Durban.

* Generally - spend time with those that mean the most to me. Quality time quality time quality time!

Thank you for taking the time out to read this blog, it means more to me than you know.

Wishing you and you families a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2014 (the year of the horse).