Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
Bil Keane
“Time is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our possessions.”
John Randolph (1773-1833)
How productive are you every day?
That is a question I asked myself recently. I am the first person to stand up and shout that I am way too busy and that there are never enough hours in a day. But is that really true? As I have mentioned several times on this blog and others, I work evenings five days a week. I am home during the day. It worked out really well when my children were little and not in school. Once my girls went off to school full time I had all day to myself. I have been a freelance writer for years, writing magazine articles and blog posts. I regularly contribute to my own blogs. If that wasn’t enough for me, a few years ago I started a part time gig as an instructor at a near by college. I teach introduction to news broadcast writing and radio broadcasting. So, I can honestly say I am busy BUT could I possibly be using my time more effectively?
Could I be doing more?
Could I be working toward writing more, creating more and even launching my own online business?
The more I thought about those questions, the more I realized the answer was yes. Yes because I really wasn’t using my time efficiently. I was busy but not being effective or productive. I fell victim to a lot of screen suckers, like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and email. I would open the computer and promise myself I would just check email and then get back to writing, reading or crafting but inevitably I would jump on twitter or Facebook and then find myself still there hours later. I was sitting in front of the computer but never really get much done and then before I knew it it was time to pack up and get the kids from school and head off to work. Not only did I not get any writing done but I also had not done anything around the house. The dishes were still in the sink and the laundry was still on the floor in the laundry room.
I have read the Four Hour Work Week. And frankly it inspires me. Not because I actually think I can get my work done in four hours a week but because it forces me to think about all the time I actually waste not being productive. When I say productive I mean doing things that further my goals, things that make me happy, things that make my life better, brighter and more fulfilling.
Does that mean I will never go on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest again? Nope.
What it does mean that I will be more conscious of what I am doing with my time. I will pay more attention to the things I am doing and the time I am spending on screen suckers so that I can actually spend the time on writing, working on meaningful projects and spending time with the people I love.
What kind of things distract you from being productive and efficient with your time?
What do you do to stay productive?
