avoiding by doing

Seems an oxymoron...but you can actually waste time by doing things!  I still need to study for that class next week and I'm avoiding it.  Yesterday was a day to study.  I was busy cleaning house and spent most of the afternoon running errands and grocery shopping.  I was finally done at 830 pm and exhausted.  Needless to say I did not study.  Today I made myself put in 5 minutes and I"m going right now to find my book and study another 15 minutes before I eat lunch and head off to work.  Yesterday I did a lot of things that needed to be done but still I SHOULD have made sure I set aside an hour to study.  I am sure I'll do like I did in college and wait til the day before and then cram it all in.  That is not the best way to remember anything.  But wait!  I have to work the day before so I guess Monday is the day to cram! 

make use of your calendar

I've figured out a way to at least not be late or forget to schedule things.  I've made good use of my calendar over the years, my work days are all circled or squared depending on where I work. Any activity is usually written in (or forgotten...like my birthday last year!)  now I'm using it as my to do list.  On my days off I've begun to write in thing....for instance, today I had: call vet, call Heartland and call Mrs. J (the high school counselor).   As a result, today I was able to accomplish a lot in the first few hours.  I called the vet and made an appointment for all the animals...especially the one that needs a rabies shot by the end of the month so I can renew his dog license!  I left a message at Heartland.  When I got the call back I discovered I needed to send in a note when the kids miss the tech class (not call some attendance hot line) and I was able to find out that I did indeed have to call Mrs. J to sign up for next years classes....and they promptly transferred me to Mrs. J.   Why do I call her Mrs. J?  Every time I say her name I massacre it!  I haven't a clue how to spell it but she is the nicest lady!  From her, I was able to give her the guys preferences for their tech classes next year and request they be scheduled at the same time periods if possible.  Next I was able to find out that at the end of April is when the decision will be made on classes (last year I didn't know and had to call a week before school started when people were back in the office!)  Now there is a little note on my first day off in May reminding me to call Mrs J to find out about the classes.  I also added a note to remind myself to ask what paperwork I have to turn in for N. since he's never been in public school. I'm thinking there were all kinds of papers including immunization records that I had to get for J when he started.  I feel so organized now!  Hmmmm now I need to just push myself to study for that ACLS class next week!  But hey!  At least I found my study book today! (only had 3 months to look for it and study but of course I start a week before!)

A free day

I awoke this morning at 4am....so much for sleeping in on a day "off".  "I'm going to accomplish a lot today,"  I thought.  I have managed to clean off my kitchen table and get bills into the mail.  I pushed myself to get "lots" done this morning so when my two teenagers trotted off to school (the younger one observing the diesel repair class with the older one) I figured I would deserve a nice break and read a book.   So, 15 minutes after they leave I get a caller ID with the public school number.   Hmmmmmmm....at least he's not in the ditch today.   Nope, today they have locked the keys in the vehicle.  Guess I'll be heading out soon to get some keys out of the vehicle (smart mom that I am I keep a spare to EVERY vehicle in my purse...not real handy when I'm 45 miles away but hey!).  So much for my not going anywhere today and getting lots done.  I guess that means I'll make a run to the bank while I'm at it.....turning that lemon into lemonade one lemon at a time!  And yes, dear reader, I did get that book read!  Off to shred more junk mail and fold some laundry....

Reasons for NOT procrastinating in taking a shower when you first get up in the morning on your day off.

So the blog started as a way to procrastinate and not clean house.  Motivational speakers are only as good as their words can motivate you to change.  Many people are only motivated to change when something adversely affects them.  I have been motivated today to change my morning habits.  Instead of getting up and wasting 3 hours on facebook and emails and then taking a shower I have decided to change my day off habits and shower first.  Why?   Here are my top 10 motivating reasons:
10.  If I go to shower first thing in the morning I will notice that the clean towels are still in the dryer from Saturday (4 days ago) and go get one before getting into the shower and noticing I have NO clean towels.  I swear there is a towel monster who steals all my towels.  I always hang mine up to dry after using them and the next day they are missing, they're not even in my dirty towel basket!
9.  I will notice that I am out of soap and be able to have time to redress and go get more (or yell at my honey to get some)
8.  I will not have to worry about anyone flushing the toilet and changing the temperature of my water.
7.  Ditto on someone using hot water in the kitchen and making my water colder!
6.  I can sing if I want to and no one will hear me.
5.  I would have plenty of time before I go out to let my hair dry instead of freezing into little rings of ice.
4.  I could clean the tub while I was in the shower.
3.  I could run the hot water long enough that my mirror would steam up and I could quickly clean it with a dry towel and not have to use glass cleaner (hee hee that once a year mirror cleaning?)
2.  I could enjoy my shower instead of someone pounding on the wall telling me I have a phone call.
1.   This is the biggest reason and my main motivating change factor:   I would have hot water since I would be the first one in the shower.....and not take a shower after the boys have used up every last bit of hot water.  I would not HAVE to take a cold shower because I need to leave shortly to go get a pedicure with a friend.  I would not be racing to shave my legs with minimal amount of soap left.....and other than #6 which I never care to do, most of the above happened to me today!   I think the next day I have off I will be dashing to the shower.....after checking to make sure I have clean towels, soap and shampoo!
I'm off to restock the soap and go fold and put away some towels!