Managing the Lush Days of Spring...

During these lush days of spring, I find myself pulled in so many directions. Gardening... work... writing... family times.... church... routine/ mundane errands.... what to do, what to do?

I am trying to new ways of managing all of my "I have tos" and "I want tos".
 
First, I am trying to plan ahead, scheduling days off, looking forward and scheduling when things can be done. I mean a month ahead - that much to be done! This includes buying seeds and flowers, cultivating beds, planting canna bulbs, buy baby and graduation gifts... all those things that, if not scheduled, seem not to get done.

Next, I am trying the "nibble" method of accomplishment. When my to do list gets overwhelming or discouraging, I try to do a bit of what I need to do at a time - for the projects I don't relish - and schedule large blocks of time for those I do enjoy doing. This includes cleaning, working on a paper that is due, and sending out invitations.

Lastly, I am trying to structure the items on my to do list. For those items I want to do - but find it difficult to carve out sufficient time (such as my Bible study, exercise, etc.), I am scheduling them in conjunction with other items. Now, my husband or I read our Bible study to the other while that person cooks dinner. I find ritualizing behaviors helps "cement" them. Next I plan to ritualize my treadmill time - but this is a bit harder task! 


Block, Nibble, Ritualize - techniques I am using this busy spring, wanting to get so much accomplished. Spring has sprung, and I feel it in my bones.... time to shake off the dormancy of winter and move ahead... but in a bit more structured manner.


How are you getting your spring frenzy under control?

 

Keeping Dreams Alive....

I think that one of the most challenging parts of making dreams a reality is keeping dreams alive. This is especially true during times when I am overwhelmed with work -or when I am in a down period and just find it plain hard to move my dreams forward.

During these times, I find my lists invaluable. If I can't make progress on my dreams, I can at least make progress organizing my space and my time to work on them. I can take my big dreams and break them down into bite-sized pieces and schedule them in. I can sit down over tea or a glass of wine with my husband and strategize on how to get back on track.

I admit - it isn't easy to keep trudging ahead -especially with dreams that years of planning. But, having achieved several of them - I can you that tell that they are worth the plodding.

As fall begins to settle over the prairie, and the fire grass is starting to blaze its brilliant orange and red hues, I am starting to shift gears and am thinking more of my indoor goals and dreams. As I am closing up my gardens for the year, picking the pumpkins and the last of this season's squash, I am dusting off writing projects and recipes, pulling out the knitting needles and planting indoor herbs.

The dreams that went dormant in summer are stirring with new life!

What are your dreams for the winter months?