Category Archives: Lessons Learned

I have learned so much-mostly through other people. So many things I never want to forget.

Art, Creativity, Essential Oils, Faith, Friends, Lessons Learned, Life, Movies

OVERCOMER

August 31, 2019 debrafillingim 1 Comment

I have ah ha moments all the time. I find life incredibly interesting and exciting. Despite achievements I have made though, I am often taken over by self doubt. I know a lot of this comes from negative experiences I have had over the years-with people I loved and trusted. It took me till I was 36 years old to realize that just because someone could not love me-did not mean that I was not worthy of love. It does not mean I am unlovable.

I am sure that all people reading this can relate to this kind of pain, rejection, or exclusion.

Well I had a real big ah ha this weekend. God used a friend to put me where I needed to be. As an artist and entrepreneur (yes-in an MLM of all things), I often feel insecure and have doubts. Wanting to be the business woman and also not “bother” people. Knowing what is in my heart but not knowing if others do. And as for art, comparing, insecurities, trying to share my art but not be boastful…so many feelings.

I took my friend to breakfast for her birthday. She asked if we could see the movie Overcomer. I like those movies so I went-because it was her birthday.

Not only was the movie wonderful, but it was clear to me that while Sharon WANTED to see the movie, I needed to see it.

In a recent podcast (Deb Erickson), I leaned that we have 85,000 thoughts a day and 90% of them are negative. So during any given day-you can have 65,000 negative thoughts. This is why we must fill ourselves with POSITIVE thoughts to wipe out the negative ones. No wonder we feel down, give up, or doubt ourselves.

I believe in my God. I would not be here today if not for my faith and the people God put in my path. When I look at the things I have done and the things I have survived-it is clear I had His power behind me. It is clear that with HIM I can persevere and survive. Anything I have survived in the past-was so much harder than ANYTHING I face now.

These are the words I needed to hear from Ephesians:

I am blessed.

I am chosen.

I am adopted.

I am redeemed.

I am forgiven.

I am sealed.

I am loved.

I am saved.

I am God’s child.

With these promises-it makes me wonder why I have self doubt, etc. I know because I am human-this will happen. I will, however, be putting these words where I can see them daily. I included them on a recent vision board project.

I encourage everyone to see the movie-I plan to see it again.

I also encourage you to fill your environment and mind with positive thoughts. Share positive and kind thoughts with others-it may be the only one they hear that day.

Thank you for listening!

Fear, Friends, Lessons Learned, Life, Never Too Late, Uncategorized

I DID IT-with a little help from my friends!

May 9, 2017 debrafillingim 2 Comments

People find this hard to believe, but I am afraid of a lot of things. OK I looked up the definition just to make sure I am using the right word. Afraid: 1.filled with fear or apprehension 2. filled with regret or concern 3. feeling worry or concern or insecurity 4. having feelings of aversion or unwillingness.The only one that does NOT fit is number four.

I remember reading a book Love is Letting Go of Fear by Gerald Jampolsky.

“There are only two emotions: one is Love and the other is fear. Love is our true reality. Fear is something our mind has made up, and is therefore unreal.”

― Gerald G. Jampolsky, Love Is Letting Go of Fear

At first I found that ridiculous but as I thought about different things I did-I realized everything I did-I could tie to either love or fear. I started to think about over people’s behavior as well-the boss that hovers, the perfectionists, and the procrastinators. It helped me to see people differently. We have all run into people at work that seem grumpy and indifferent. Instead of being upset-I saw them differently. Certainly that type of behavior was not love-so they must be afraid of something. It really is a paradigm shift and I think it is easier to stop taking things personally and be compassionate because no one likes to be afraid.

“Fear and love can never be experienced at the same time. It is always our choice as to which of these emotions we want…”

― Gerald G. Jampolsky

Oh yeah-that is so true and I have gotten in trouble many times, with people I love, for choosing fear. Once it was too gone to get back-I realized my actions were fear based. I will make every effort from now on not to make decisions based on fear-when it comes to my relationships with people.

I am always afraid of trying something new. Like I have a new silhouette machine. Yes-I have been busy but I admit I may be procrastinating trying it the first time because it is new. I procrastinate on projects thinking I can’t do it, or I need hours of time-only to find out when I finally jump in…that I can do it just fine.

Sometimes if it is something I really want to do, I will do it anyway. It could be taking a class in a new technique, going to a party where I do not know anyone, joining a new group, or greeting someone at church (yes, this is scary for me). I won’t sleep and I ‘ll be anxious, but I do it.

But there are some things I would never do alone. I am pretty brave considering all the things I have made myself do over the years and all the hairy things I have survived but I doubt I will I know I will never be as brave as my friend Annette who traveled to Italy by herself! I know I will never jump out of a parachute like my friend Sharon.

Ok I did crochet the bracelet I thought I could not do. But when I did not understand the directions for the closure, it sat for months. Finally I decided I would finish it MY way so that I could wear this bracelet I loved.

Something that has been on my list for a while is a 5K. Now I am not a runner, I am a walker. I want to do the Disney one because I want that medal. But, this is one of those things I am NOT doing unless I have a buddy. Too far out of my comfort zone. I have asked friends here and there but never followed through-well…because I am afraid.

Then one day I am sitting with friend Jo Foringer and she said she has signed up for a 10K and that she will be walking. I was listening-I asked for details. I used to walk over three miles a day so I figured I could do this-I can walk. Knowing I would be with her-a confidence buddy or whatever you want to say…I signed up. I told myself I needed to get out walking again and wearing sneakers (hate them) to get ready. I had months. Well, life is busy and I probably only walked a few times, I was not giving up though-because as rigid as I can be when I am afraid, I am just as rigid if I have told someone I am going to be there.

So Jo and her husband Dave would meet me at the race. I got there first and then was freaking that she was not coming. Of course they did. I had only slept three hours the night before because-I was afraid. I knew I could finish in three hours because I know my walking pace. But what if I have to go to the bathroom What if I get a cramp? What if I get overheated? OK so I planned ahead. I have a fanny pack and I packed it for every disaster.

Two waters

Two kind bars

tissues (lack of such could be embarrassing)

Deep Blue roll on (for cramping-my friend had used it in a previous race)

Digestzen (a tummy issue would NOT be good-I used this three times!)

Peppermint Beadlets (to keep me alert, help me if I get stuffed up)

Motivate Essential Oil-enough said

Cell phone-got to document this moment

Our friend Tara was there and that was a great feeling to see her before we began and get a hug. Jo also had some other friends there as well.

When we started out, Dave & Jo were pacing a little faster than I expected. Dave has long legs and Jo was moving. They asked if they were going too fast and I said no because really-it did not feel bad to me. As I timed how we were doing, I felt the pace was a good one.

The walk started off with pelting rain and wind. I was soaked and hated water getting in my face. We had a headwind for sure but I would rather have it the first half and not the second. Overall I kept just a bit behind Dave & Jo. The turning point was exciting. I had no cramping, was not exhausted, and as water was provided, had plenty of water on me still. I was not overheated at all.

I was thrilled when we got to the end-I think in just over two hours. Would have been perfect if I had not fell in the sand. Just to my knees-not out of exhaustion or anything but walking up the hill in the soft sand was the hardest part! There was one woman that was carried across the line by her friends! I got my Octopus Medal and I was SO PROUD of myself. I was SO THANKFUL for the experience. I wondered, of course, what took me so long to do this. But we know the answer, fear.

There were many encouraging words along the way!

After getting up that hill-we grabbed some water and then went off to party a bit before I headed home. Yes I did drink that before 10am!

Dave & Jo-I cannot thank you enough. Thanks Dave for being the leader, even if you had to walk backwards sometimes. Thanks for your great pacing-all the encouragement helped me to do something that has been on my list for years. Actually-a 5K was on my list so this was even better. Just a little help from friends makes a difference.

Dave & Jo have already signed up for a 5K. As soon as I see that the date is not a conflict with our convention, I plan to join them.

Here’s hoping anyone that reads this will take a step towards doing something they really want to do that they are a bit afraid of. And if I can help you I will!

Books, Lessons Learned, Movies

To see or not to see…

March 28, 2017 debrafillingim Leave a comment

I just saw the movie The Shack and it has really impacted me… I’m really going to try not to have any spoilers. I’m not going to argue with you about how I feel about this movie so please don’t try to argue with me. There are people I admire on Facebook that have already stated that The Shack is not biblically correct and that you shouldn’t go to see it and that it is not scripture , etc. I respect your feelings on that.

I read the book The Shack years ago. Now if you know me at all you know I read many books-sometimes as many as four in a week. And I will tell you right now – I read books for entertainment. I read them to learn as well but for me-well learning is entertaining! I’ll read them, know if I loved it or had certain feelings about the book but don’t ask me about the details. I read the Chronicles of Narnia over twenty times, all seven volumes but there is still a lot I can’t tell you except that I loved every minute. But there is something I do remember about the book The Shack-I hated it. I don’t know why right now but I do remember I was angry. I think it’s because it did not give me a resolution that I wanted.

I do remember as I was reading it I was wondering when something was going to happen that would make me like this book because at the time there was a lot of hoopla about it. Everybody was saying it was life-changing you should read it. So I kept reading. I kept waiting for something miraculous to happen and for me it didn’t. I do remember though that there were a couple sentences that blew my mind and stopped me in my tracks. I don’t remember what they were-I probably wrote them in my journal or something. I do remember thinking that even though I was angry about the book and I didn’t like a lot of it-those few sentences were worth everything

When I started to see the previews it was weird but that little bit of anger started kicking back up again…I hated that book -I can’t believe they made a movie out of it! But as I watched the previews I admit I was drawn to it and a couple people I trusted and cared about and are similar to me in some ways had gone to see the movie and they liked it. I decided to give it a chance.

So how did I feel about it? I loved this movie. I didn’t like it a lot, I didn’t think it was pretty decent, I LOVED this movie. And for those people that think I shouldn’t have even gone to see it because of my beliefs-I am a big moviegoer and I don’t go depending on what my belief system is. I go to be entertained or to learn something. I am a thinker-no matter what movie I go to, it is going to make me think and there will be a lesson.

Anything that is discussing my God and belief systems-I’m interested. I enjoy learning about how other people think and feel. I will tell you that I love this movie because it touched me in many ways. I’m a believer yet something in this movie touched me and really helped open up things that maybe were closed off. My God is an awesome God and I have total belief that there are going to be people that will go to this movie that are not believers that may be touched in some way.

Please don’t write me notes about how I shouldn’t have gone or how I’m being silly thinking that it could touch people. I don’t know everything, but some things I know for sure.

GOD can take any thing you think is “bad” and make it work for good if He chooses.

GOD reaches people in different ways-some of which others may not understand.

GOD appears to people differently because people are different.

GOD is much more powerful than any movie.

If you feel it is in conflict with your Christian beliefs to see The Shack-I hope you will reconsider. Certainly you know that with your strong faith, a movie is not going to compromise your beliefs. Ask God to give you insight on what you could learn from the movie. I loved the movie so much-I’ve decided to read the book again.

As humans we are in different places emotionally day by day. I may have totally different feelings about the book if I read it now.

I was so filled with emotion as I left the movie-I just had to get these words down. I sat in my car using dragon dictation until I got everything out that was running in my brain. None of it seems really profound-but…that’s ok. If you saw The Shack…I would LOVE to hear what you thought about it. I would love to get some discussion going. [contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Art, Beading, Books, Creativity, Essential Oils, Family, Fear, Home, Lessons Learned, Life, Perfection, Time Management, Writing

Just Do It-Vision Boards, Habits and Making a Plan..

June 2, 2015 debrafillingim 2 Comments

The phrase “Just Do It” is famous. It is supposed to inspire us to get over all obstacles and get it done. Easy words to say-not so easy to put into practice.

I am a person of many interests and activities (those that know me will agree). To some, I have a lot of adventures and get a lot done. I do, but for me I am consistently frustrated with doing the things that I should do. Not the should dos like housework-the should dos that I WANT to do and are good for me but I am not consistent.

At the beginning of the year I took a great Vision Board Class at Decide Differently I had to choose one word for the year. I chose Deliberate. I chose that word because I wanted to be deliberate on how I chose to spend my time/money/resources. I did not want time to get away from me-wasted in front of the television or rescuing pets on Facebook. I wanted to be mindful of financial resources-using the library first instead of just buying the book. Tithe on a regular basis (God has blessed me with so much), and to think about my resources. If I have things I do not need/use-give them to someone who does need them or can use them.

I realized at vision board class that things will not get done unless there is a plan to get it done. Thank you Shakti Sutriasa for such a great class. At the bottom of my board I have dream it-plan it-do it. That made sense to me. I can say I want to walk weekly-but what’s the plan? I also realized that if I wanted to make more time for something, I had to take time from something else. So I made a more-less chart. It made so much sense. This list has helped me to see my time as something I CAN manipulate to some degree. Below are some things I struggled with and the plan I used to resolve it.

Writing: I love writing but was not getting it done. My excuse-my journal was too big and I never had it with me. So I switched to a Moleskin. Now it is with me all the time. I use it to write the plan for the day (rather than on scraps of paper) and as a diary. I saw a video called The Bullet Journal. While I have not adapted everything, some parts have been very useful to me-like the index. I now carry my journal everywhere and a lot is getting written-all because of a plan. The moleskin for Jan/Feb of this year has more than my whole journal last year. After I filled the moleskin I bought s set of three pretty little notebooks and am using them now. Thanks Mychele for telling me about the Bullet Journal Video!

Supplements: I love my doTERRA supplements. When I take them, I have more energy, my body systems are more efficient and I eat less (Slim & Sassy). I KNOW this, yet days would go by when I was not taking them. I would put them in a little carrier to take on my days out (to take at lunch) and then I would not do it. A couple days in I would wonder why I was dragging, all clogged up, and eating junk food. My husband is amazing taking them-morning, lunch, dinner, bedtime. My friend Sandie Bowen finally told me her trick. She never packs them to take out for the day-she puts them in a bowl on the counter. Then they are there every time she walks by. If she doesn’t see it and act-her husband reminds her. This has helped a lot-a pretty bowl by my coffee maker. Thanks to Sandie & Marty for helping me get a plan in place.

Art/Creativity: I was not getting anything artistic/creative done. It made me sad-especially since I had a room filled with paint, beads, paper, and cloth. I would see my friend Mychele (who has two young children) getting all artsy and I wanted to be there! This is very much who I am and not to do it is like slow death. Every day I would intend too. Then I would start reading email, catch up on Facebook, start some wash, do some business and before I knew it-time to make dinner. This went on for months. Then after talking to my friend Mychele (I was talking out loud-she was listening) I came up with a motto-Mornings are Mine. I was always going to do those other things…so put my things first. This simple thing was LIFE CHANGING! I found when I spent the morning writing, sewing, painting etc..that when it came time for the other things-I was a JOYFUL person. Not only joyful but I seemed to be in super speed. I was not dragging through-I was efficient and I was getting things done for myself and for the family/business. I told Marty and as always, he was okay with my choice. I didn’t realize how much until we both visited Sandie. I said to her, “I don’t think Marty gets the ‘mornings are mine’ concept but it really has changed everything for me! Marty’s response, “Oh no honey, I get it. I WANT you to do your art first”. Thankful for a supportive husband and artsy sister Mychele. Mychele inspires me by posting what she is up hopefully I do the same for her!

Walking: They say the simplest exercise is walking. When I retired, Marty wanted me to make a goal for myself to walk three miles a day. My friends though he was mean. I knew he was caring-he knew I loved being outside, he knew I wanted to be healthy, he knew I wanted to stretch myself. A month into retirement, I was still not walking. Then I met my neighbor Cindy. I told her I recently retired and asked her if she was the one I saw walking all the time. I told her I need a plan to get walking. Her response, “I walk three miles a day. Want to walk with me?. Just one of God’s little blessings. Having someone to be accountable to really helps. So thankful for Cindy and what she has brought to my life.

Time Slipping: Did you ever go on the computer-intending to spend 15 minutes there and suddenly an hour hour passed? No…never! A timer is my new best friend. I will set the timer to spend so much time in an area and then move to the next. I also think backwards. If I have to leave the house at one, then I shower at noon, pack the to go bag 11:30, stop what I am doing at 11…etc. This really helped. I would often work on something till the last minute and then rush out of the house without the things I needed. Sound too regimented? You make think so-until you have that day when you cry out of joy for feeling successful!

Television: Yes I like television and I have favorite shows. I do tape them, have not seen a commercial in forever. Also I use television as my down time. I have the computer set to go off at ten. Then I try and make myself sit on the couch. I put on some serenity oil to calm me down and move towards sleep. One thing I love though is where my desk/television are. My desk is behind the couch where my husband sits to watch television. I have a direct view. Why is this important? I can sit at my desk, answer emails, write notes, or complete a project and watch a show at the same time. I know, we are supposed to live in the moment but I am not willing to give up television completely nor am I willing to spend hours watching it while doing nothing. My next project is to set up a little writing box near my seat on the couch-so I can easily write notes during my TV time. Real notes..instead of email. It’s a plan.

Out and About-It is amazing how a trip to the library can eat hours of my day and cost me money. I have to get dressed etc, to go there. More than likely I will stop somewhere else. Then I’ll get hungry and grab lunch. Next-go home and put everything away. By then-I am shot and find it difficult to be productive. I now stack my days. I choose days to not leave the house. On the days I do leave, I pack several appointments/errands into the day. WOW-this was a game changer. Sure I ‘m exhausted when I get home-but I would have been anyway. This Wednesday I’ll make Thirty-One deliveries, meet two friends at different times at Barnes & Noble. Thursday I will go to a class, see a friend and her new baby, meet another friend at dinner. In between I will pick up dog food and do other errands!. This plan works and has given me more time!

Resources: Besides your friends and family, there are books and other resources that can help you. I already mentioned The Bullet Journal. I must now mention Gretchen Rubin. She is one of my favorite authors. I have preordered every book she has written. I own every book she has written in hardcopy and on audible (so I can listen again and again). After I started writing this months ago, I received my preordered book Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives. I ordered it not knowing much about it. Come to find out-it’s about habits. I LOVE this book and truly need to blog a review about it. This book reinforced thoughts I was already having. It also gives a lot of great ideas on developing and or/breaking habits. As I write this, I think I will plug it in again for a listen while I work in the kitchen. To me, a lot of what we struggle for to “Just do it” has to do with either making or breaking a habit. I think you will find this book a great resource.

I could go on and on. I do want to note a recurring theme. I did not develop all these plans on my own. It started with the vision board, then different people/things (Sandie, Marty, Mychele, Cindy, Bullet Journal, Gretchen Rubin) that really helped me. Being vulnerable about what you struggle with will often get you the support you need. The funny thing is-if you tell me your struggles…I can probably come up with a plan for you. If I tell you mine, you can probably help me. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

I will still struggle at times and get off course. I know one thing though, using Gretchen Rubin’s Words….I am Better Than Before!

Your turn:

What struggles have you solved with a plan? Please share-it may help someone else.

What do you still struggle with? Someone may be able to help you!

God Bless you all in your endeavors. I would love to help if I can! Feeling powerful makes me want to help others feel the same way.

Fear, Lessons Learned

Never too old to learn?

November 17, 2014 debrafillingim Leave a comment

If you had asked me yesterday how well I can navigate through technical computer issues I would have said, “pretty well”. I have used many programs, platforms, have done blogging, pinterest, and many other things on the computer requiring a bit of skill. I find myself challenged though as I start my new blog here. I have been fussing with headers and backgrounds, pixels, and formatting. It has humbled me and made me wonder if I am too old to learn.

I am persistent though and when I have something in mind, I usually drive myself crazy until I figure it out. Thank God for friends like Mychele Boardman that are there to help and encourage me along the way.

Once I figure it all out I will surely wonder why I was confused in the first place.

Fear, Healthy Living, Lessons Learned, Life, Writing

Why write?

June 9, 2012 debrafillingim Leave a comment

Originally published on blogger 6/9/12

I was reading a new book on my kindle today. One of my favorite bloggers did a compilation of her blogs. Her book, Willa’s Journal: A Box of Stars is delightful because it is really makes you think about everyday ordinary things. In one of her posts, she says she writes-because she can-realizing that other people may or may not be interested in what she has to say. I always was.

This made me wonder why I write. Actually, there are so many reasons I may not get them all down.

I started keeping a journal before I was a teenager and still keep one today. I am constantly jotting or recording stories I want to get done. I have several tiny notebooks with notes, scraps of sentences, and many journals. My writings are mostly about my life and other amazing things. I am a thinker and spend a lot of time thinking in my head about why things happened a certain way and how I could do it differently. I also am amazed at the not so accidental timing and connections of things that happen in my life. I learn from everything-good or bad and I am amazed at how intricate people and life are and how it all works together. There’s a lot going on in my head….who knew? I think these words are what keep me up at night.

I write to…

Dump: Life is hard and painful and most of the time people don’t have time for your hurts because they are nursing their own. I can dump every ugly piece and get it off my mind. I will not be judged or have to worry about my secret getting out. Many times I have written things on paper that are-well; they are just too painful to say. I will never be able to say them but at least I can write them. I am entitled to my feelings and they need a voice.

Tell Someone Off: I have never done this in real life, only on paper. It is not in my nature but some people need it! I do not like conflict but again, I am entitled to my feelings. Let’s face it-most of the time when you tell someone something they are not likely to listen. It is not worth stirring things up. Megan and I have been talking about things like this a lot lately. It is hard to find a balance between having respect for yourself and just walking away from it.

Try and understand: Often by mulling over something that has happened and how I feel about it puts everything in place. I get a clearer sense of it. In the midst of events we often can only see what is right in front of us.

To Remember: There are so many stories from my life I do not want to forget. There are people I don’t want to forget. I can see how people have been placed in my life at a specific time for a specific reason. I consider many things that have happened in my life to be near miracles-there is no reason why it should have miraculously worked out as it did. I do not want to forget the wonder of it all. I tell my students-you and your life are important. Write it down.

To be amazed and thankful: Have you ever listed the things you yearn for the most? Have you ever written your prayers? I have. Then years later I am looking at old writings and I amazed at the prayers that have been answered and the absolute perfect timing. Looking back it becomes so clear as to why things had to play out the way they did-pain and all.

To remember to pray: I care about people and so many people are hurting. I am also very busy. I like to write the names of people that have asked for prayer. I keep it on my desk near my computer. Usually in email or on Facebook people will ask for help. I say I will pray and I need to write it so I will. This also allows me to check back and see how people are doing.

To Heal: I tell anyone that will listen-writing saved my life more than once. It helped me process things that I had stuffed. It helped me dig out of things I was buried under and as much of a cliché as it is-I found myself and pulled myself out-one page at a time. Consider this-some of the most famous songs and poems were written when dealing with pain.

Last but not least, I write because practice makes perfect. Well, not really. For me writing is an extension of me and my mind as well as my emotions. As none of those are perfect, my writing is not either. However, when I write consistently, my voice is truer. I become braver and less critical. My vocabulary improves, becomes more embellished, and flows easily.

I wrote a book (the one that saved my life) and it is not yet published. My dear friend/editor Robin asked me how I would feel if I did all the work of compiling it and then it never got published. I told her I was ok with that because this was a huge part of my life and I liked having it put together. Maybe one day I can share it with my daughter.

April 16, 2014

Your turn: Do you write? Why? Why not? What do you write in? When do you write and what do you write in?

Family, Healthy Living, Lessons Learned, Life, Perfection, Time Management

Time…

June 8, 2012 debrafillingim Leave a comment

Originally posted on blogger 6/8/12

Who doesn’t struggle with time management? My friends always act like I am superwoman because I get so many things done. Obviously, I only share what I do get done-not what I don’t. They don’t know how many times I start one project switch to another and another. I plan to go to the computer for one minute and end up spending thirty. I’m very organized-that’s not the issue. I have so many interests and so many things I love doing it’s hard to find time to do them all. I’m never late for work, I always meet my deadlines or appointments but the things I want to do always come last.

I have to pull out all the stops in the summer to stay on track because I have a hard time staying on track with large open blocks of time-just my luck. There are a few tricks I do use that help me. Maybe they’ll help someone and I hope others will share some of their tricks.

Working Backwards: This sounds strange but I came up with this because of work. After students went home – I’d settle in to do my paperwork and such knowing that I have to leave at a particular time. Then I would get so involved in what I was doing, totally immersed, all of a sudden I am grabbing my purse and keys and running out the door. Then I find out I’ve left without my shopping list, my journal, or the project I had planned to take home. So I started working backwards. As soon as students leave, I put everything that is going home in one area. Then when I am ready to go, I have everything. I do this on my big errand days in the summer as well. I put all my lists, coupons, cooler, and other items together first-with a plan of attack, before I start doing anything else. Working backwards has saved me so many times because I am constantly trying to do just one more thing!

Outlook Calendar: I use Outlook email and calendar at work and home. I put as much as I can on there. When I add a doctor appointment, I put it on my work calendar (if within the school year), my home calendar, and my husband’s work calendar. I do the same for husband’s appointments. This way if one doesn’t look at their calendar, we can remind the other. We know what the other is doing on a given day in case we need to schedule something. I also sync this to my iPhone.

Yahoo Groups: Years ago I set up a yahoo groups for coffee club- my girlfriend group. I set it up because we were always planning activities together. When I sat down to e-mail everybody, I had to make sure I didn’t forget someone. I love the group because when I send an e-mail out saying I want to go see a movie -everybody sees it. When someone responds with the time they can meet, everybody sees it. Everybody knows what’s going on. There is also a calendar included. I can put birthday and other reminders on there for everyone.

I also have yahoo groups for my book club group. There are only seven of us and we rarely e-mail each other within the group (totally opposite of coffee club). The calendar feature for us is invaluable. We often choose our books six months in advance. I take that information home and put it all on the calendar. I can include the book title, the hostess, and hostess contact info. I set it up to remind people two weeks ahead of time and three days ahead of time. I can set up six months of info in just a few minutes and never have to think about it again. This has made my life easier. No more worries about forgetting to send a reminder.

Dragon Dictation: This is a free app on the iPhone. Right now I’m sitting in the parking lot waiting for my husband and I am speaking into my phone using the app ( I just had to close the window so a passerby didn’t think I was crazy). When I’m done I can e-mail it, send it as a text, post to FB, or twitter. You can also copy the text and paste into any application. I most always email it to myself at home. I put Dragon Dictation e-mails in one folder until I need them. This is a great app for me as I don’t write longhand because I’ve had carpal tunnel surgery. After a few sentences my handwriting is messy and my hand cramps. Even if I am sitting at home with other options, this is my best way to get a lot of writing down. Once on the way to school, I composed an email to teachers and sent it to myself. When I got to work, I pulled it up, did very little editing and sent it out. What a timesaver! The only downfall to the app is that it does not save your information. It only records for a short time. This blog was done in twelve sections. I just numbered each one as I sent it. Note: Sending an email while driving is as bad as texting. Obviously, I only do this if I am sitting in traffic.

Pampered Chef Timer: I know there are other timers out there but I like this one best. I can clip it on to go with me. If I set it for thirty minutes and it beeps-I press stop. The thirty is still there for me to press start again. I use this at home as I’m constantly getting off track-especially in the summer or when I have a huge block of time to manipulate. For all the people that say I’m amazing- if you spent one day with me I could burst your bubble quickly. I am fragmented as I go from one thing to the other. At the end of the day, a lot of great things get done but I often feel like I’ve failed because they weren’t the things I had planned on. I may get ten things started but none of them got finished. I use the timer a couple ways.

To keep from being overwhelmed: I have always found that I put things off because I think I can’t do it or it will take too long or because I don’t know where to start. When I came home from vacation I dumped everything on the dining room table-brochures, maps, my activity totes. Every time I saw the pile I put it off but it bothered me. I set the timer for 30 minutes and it was done! Sometimes a daunting task is completely finished because I’m trying to beat the clock. If it’s not completely finished it is a lot less intimidating. This is a great thingsto do with kids when cleaning their room or dividing the day into work and fun.

To Stay On Task: In one day, as all women know, there are too many tasks. You could spend all day on the computer doing different things and they would all be important but there are other things that need to be done. I set the timer and switch tasks: cleaning a room, answering email, cooking, doing work for my business.

To have Fun: I am a workaholic in many ways. I love organizing , cleaning, and purging. It may take me a while to get to it but when I do I am relentless and I get so involved I do not stop. I actually schedule fun time to break away. I may take the dog for a walk, play on the computer or read (other than walking the dog I have done nothing else yet).

To eat: I admit I set the timer today so I would eat breakfast and after that set it for lunch. I get so immersed in what I am doing I could go from 6am to 5pm on nothing but a cup of coffee. This is not good for me. I should be having small meals and drinking water all day.

Monday I was home all day and I did not use the timer. I spent all day on the computer-no games. I was cleaning emails, cleaning files, doing work related to many jobs that I do-all important things but there was so much more that needed done. I knew I worked hard all day but it did not look like it and in many ways I felt like I failed. Thursday I was home all day and did use the timer and accomplished more than I thought I could. I was excited and felt like I had accomplished something and it looked like I had as well.

NOTE: I believe I first heard about using a timer through Flylady.

These tricks that work for me. I’d love to hear your comments and any tricks that you use.

Another thing I have always wanted to do is to schedule a block of time for myself that I would use differently every day-Monday writing, Tuesday beading, etc. But I have not gotten that far yet. Has anyone done this?

April 16, 2015

Your Turn: What are the favorite things you use to help with time management? Please share-as I know many struggle with this!