How do you manage your time?

[nduetime]

Sorry, if this has been talked about before. I sometimes feel as if I am moving in slow motion from one task to another just to start all over again. I really think I need to manage my time better and then will feel as though I have accomplished more. How do you guys do it? I know there is always so much to be done on the farm and much of it is the same chore every day, but I would really like to be able to get more done. I do not watch TV, and read mostly only in the evening when Dh is watching TV. I do get on here a couple times a day for short periods. What works for you in regards to time management?

[Cindy in NY]

We do not have a farm or animals but we do have a lot to do around here. We sat down last night and made a list of what needed to be done before the weather starts getting bad and then prioritized that list. We also made a list of things that can be done inside this winter. I think it helps to see what you need to get done so that you can decide what's the most important.

[Mutti]

A list....you gotta have a list. I often jot down how long that job should take. My DH will pick up a few tasks but he is bad to get side-tracked and never finish something. The best thing is to not over-schedule yourself as you know things always take longer than you expect. Like right now I am making applesauce, have 20# baked butternut squash ready to mash up to freeze and tomatoes calling my name on the counter. Figure it will take me several more hours to finish and clean up. So supper will be BLT's as I sure won't feel like cooking and cleaning up again! Having a daily list,wkly list and long term wishes/plans list really helps. Plus keeping a detailed list for trips to town so you don't have to break up your day. Regular meals/snacks help,too as often we don't realize we need to eat a little something and we think are just tired....then it is time to sit with a drink of something and a nice sandwich or something light like soup. DEE

[Rickstir]

I work 50 miles away from the farm, 5 days a week. My BW works in town, 2 1/2 days a week. We pretty much split the work up with the heavy stuff falling to me, but I do my share of dishes too! It is all about the list as Mutti says. We have white board and calendar, so we can prioritize for upcoming events. We get a lot of visitors from our families. Friday evenings are usually reserved for mowing. I love to mow and when I get half-way finished I am back close to the house and my lovely BW keeps me in cold beer. Tonight, I am going to surprise her. After supper I will bring out a couple of board games and perhaps a deck of cards. Together time is just as important as work time.

[MaineFarmMom]

Two years ago a farmer said something like this: Keep a notebook and pen in your back pocket. Write down everything you think of. You'll probably forget it by the time you get back to the house or the barn.

So, I keep a 3 x 5 notebook and pen in my back pocket and I keep a running list. When my mind isn't cluttered with all the things to be remembered my mind is clear for the task at hand. It's been two years and I haven't lost a notebook yet.

[rio002]

I fully agree with The List! I have one spiral notebook always on my desk with a Big Project list and a Spring/Summer list, plus for daily stuff that I notice Needs to be done but don't have time right then I have post-it notes, these are real handy for when it's after dark and I realize I forgot to do something or have extra running in town to do the next day. In the spiral I also mark the projects that will require money with a dollar sign, that way if I'm broke I know I don't need to read those lol. Along with my shopping list I note the small purchases to keep and eye out for that will complete a project if I come across it. I know it seems like a lot of lists, but I found when I don't have the lists I have problems getting things done too. It will feel like I've been busy all day yet I can't see a darn thing that got done--except for what I call maintenance housework and chores, you know the stuff you do to get by on days when you don't have time to do more lol. My sister is always making lists too--she is little more obsessive about it, but once her lists are made she never does the work anyway, I on the other hand really take delight in completing things to mark them off the list.

[nduetime]

Thanks guys, you have just confirmed what my DH has been saying to me all along. KEEP A LIST! He is very, oh what is the word...shall we say retentive about keeping lists. I make lists now and then but always put more on the list than I can humanly accomplish. Today's list included the following
Feed - done for am
Milk - done for am
Clean stalls and barn - done
chicken coop swept - done
goat fence put up
clean garden
run cream separator - done 4 gallons of milk = 1.5 pint of cream
can more peaches
vacume - doing in about 15 min
hang a load of laundry - done
take down lean to
clean bathrooms
make soap
make cheese
plan supper - fish and fries with spinach salad and fresh veggies
and the usual clean kitchen, make bed etc. then evening feed and chores

I have moved doing the goat fence and taking down the lean-to to the weekend. I will start the cheese tonightbefore bed. I can can the peaches while Dh is watching TV. Hey, this list thing might just work.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Lists.

I recommend the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I don't do all of them, but it has helped.

[whitewolf]

I got list on top of list.....but they are organized list as already stated. My problem is I feel like I am overloaded. We have the homestead...animals, etc. We have a small business AND hubby is a county supervisor. Alot of days it kinda goes like this...get hubby out the door and crew on the job...take care of the feeding and watering (animals and plants), check my list for business phone calls, billing, filing....stuff I need to take care of that morning, then start in on what needs to be done around here....that's when the SHTF...hubby needs me to take care of this or that.....needs me to run some paperwork to him in town......there is a problem on a job....or I have to run to the next town or worse to pick up some materials for an unexpected problem on the job.....the stud decides to hurt his leg or the mares decide that the grass is greener up on the highway....you get the idea. 3 hours later with half my hair pulled out I am back here with my head spinning. One day after the 3rd phone call in less than 30 minutes I just sit down with my head in my hands and tried to remember where I put that bottle of Jack Daniels someone gave me a few years back. Oh well what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Yes lists to me are the answer, at least that way when you do get side tracked or drug away from what you are doing, you can look and see what you were doing or needing to do.

Whitewolf

[PyroDon]

very poorly at the moment . Not getting anythig done outside as heat indexs are ner 110.
not to well inside as I have two darling little children constantly under foot .
BTW its not that children have boundless energy Its that a child can sap the energy from any adult withing 100 yards.

[nduetime]

Whitewolf, I know exactly what you mean. That is one of the things that I have tried over and over to explain to DH. When you are dealing with livestock, they do not follow the lists! It is very easy to get sidetracked and off course when the animals get hurt or are just plain being cute. I guess I always figure if I don't stop to smell the roses ( or cuddle a goat, or cat, or dog,etc) then what is the point of all the work anyway? Opps...I am late for the vacuming, see ya!

[michiganfarmer]

Imnot smart enough to manage time, Im am very disorganised, and every job is very diffcult because of this. THe only way I get anything done is by sheer will. It is very tireing.

I usually work 12-14 hours a day, well minus meal times etc,untill Im exhausted, mabey 2 or three weeks, then I sleep in, and take a break mabey only working 4-6 hours a day for a couple days, then back to the longer hours again. I have a lot of respect for the old farmers, well anyone for that matter, who can work all day, 7 days a week for years on end, and still have time and energy for family things. My dad is like that.

[Charleen]

Well, I agree with having a list but I also think people (myself included) need to know their limitations. If you're struggling to take care of (just an example here) the herd of 15 goats, maybe you need to cut that amount in half.

Regarding the list: Not just a honey-do list but make sure there's a large calendar in a busy area of the house so everyone can see what's happening, when & where.

Multi-tasking is essential. Throw a load of clothes in the wash machine and THEN head out to the barn for chores.

Remember Hi & Lois cartoon? - Hi has a "job jar" where he sticks his hand in and pulls out a job to do. This doesn't prioritize what needs to be done but it's cute!

[CatsPaw]

o.k. ... o.k. i'll tell you the secret. but, you have to keep it a secret. don't tell anybody else, otherwise everything will get done and there won't be anything else to do.

A list is the number one thing. BUT...that's not the secret.

The secret is to make a list of things you want to accomplish...whether it's for the day, week, whatever. It should be prioritized. Then start doing the things on the list. What you will find is that you WON"T get it all done. THAT'S FINE. At least you got some of the things done. that's the important thing. Then, don't worry about not getting the whole list done. Make a new one for the next day.

You'll find that even though you don't get everything done, you will get alot done, more than if you were just floating around wondering what to do next. You'll find that some of the things on the list will change in priority, some will simply resolve themselves, some will get started but can't be completed because you need materials or the store is closed or whatever, and some will get on the next list.

That's the secret....make a list, do what you can, don't worry if you don't complete it, start a new list, and repeat.

[MorrisonCorner]

*laugh* I use computer programs to keep everything organized and on track! From calendar programs to ones that make lists to ones that do mind maps. I have about $500 invested in software that basically... makes lists! Fortunately, one of the things I do for clients is generate lists to keep them organized. I'm very good at making lists!

You know my secret joy of all my computerized lists? Checking things off!