TIME MANAGEMENT: THE ETERNAL STRUGGLE!

Since everyone is always asking me how I do everything, I thought I would post the best visual demonstration of time management that I saw once at a seminar.

Picture a BIG jar sitting on the table. First put in large stones that fill up the entire space. (these represent the activities that are most IMPORTANT to YOU! ) Next pour in gravel until the jar is filled. Looks full? Next pour in sand until the jar is full. Can't get another thing in? Take a pitcher of water and pour it in. Everything fits. Now, if you filled the jar in reverse order, YOU WOULD NEVER GET IN THE LARGE STONES (YOUR PERSONAL IMPORTANT THINGS). You don't need to schedule time to wash clothes, etc. because they will always get done in and around the other things. Maybe at midnight or a load in the washer while you are eating dinner etc.

The other visual I remember, (which I have acted upon ever since) is this: A large glass is on the table. If you try to pour anything more into the glass, it will overflow and nothing new gets in. There is no room. In order to add more to the glass, you have to empty part of it out! I evaluate all my activities at least once a year, sometimes more often. I sometimes have to let go of some activities to make the time for something else which is more important to me.

We are creative people. There is always a creative solution to life, including time management. I still manage to kill quite a bit of time but even that is important to me. I don't want to live a constant harried lifestyle. I have periods of hectic, frantic pace, but not constantly.

I did work on preparing a piece of watercolor paper for the drawing marathon on Sunday. It's not very interesting to look at right now, so here is the next Everyday Matters Drawing Subject: Draw your hand. This comes from my sketch book preparation for my "Reflections on Turning 65" painting. I will draw my hand again tomorrow but til then....