Multitasking

Recently, I have been struggling with something (besides the sickies)....that something is...are you ready.....multitasking. No, I do not want to hone my multitasking skills instead I want to try to eliminate them. Basically, I am trying to ween myself from it.

Multitasking has been causing me to get less done. Sure I can get dinner ready while chatting on the phone or play with Mia while at the same time trying to make my grocery list, but in reality it isn't bringing me the results that I'm looking for.

I find myself not focusing on the task at hand and not doing it to the best of my ability. Also, things take a lot more time to get done when you are doing 20 things at once. Not to mention that when you have a million things on your list and your are trying to race through checking each off....you can definitely get demotivated.

So, these past few days I have been doing one thing at a time. I'm not watching TV while cooking. I'm not grabbing the smartphone at all times of the day, and I think that the next step will be to remove Facebook from my phone all together. It will just be one less thing that I will be tempted to check.

Yesterday my boycott on multitasking allowed me to snuggle up and take a two hour nap with my baby, and you should have seen the smile on her face when she woke up and there I was! 

This morning...I cleaned the apartment, went grocery shopping, worked on Mia's first year photo book, baked homemade cinnamon rolls, read her 5 books, played zoo with her, as well as did things like make breakfast for us and get both of us dressed....oh and blogging...all before 11:00! 

So, to me this is proof that taking things one at a time is the key to keeping me focused and productive....not to mention that I feel much less overwhelmed with all of the tasks that I need to get done.

The Right Moments

Monday brought with it a whole lot of negative. I woke up, and I was completely and utterly exhausted. I was burnt out on work, on fundraising, on Mia's activities, on household management, and had even started to feel disappointed in several people. On top of all of that, my phone completely died on me. Black clouds people...seriously stormy weather. I even typed up a hugely long blog post on how tired I was.  

However, all of those tired thoughts and negativity completely disappeared when I sat Mia down for breakfast. I looked over and saw this...

...well not really. I actually took a picture of her eating a strawberry, but that is still on my camera...but she was so happy sitting there...eating the strawberries that we had provided for her. I also thought about Ten who was hard at work, and something clicked in my mind. I had to refocus on what my purpose is in this life, and it is definitely not to sit around and be in a bad mood. I was concentrating on all of the small, negative things. I wasn't focused on the right moments.

So, I went downstairs and got some pain au chocolat and sipped on some hot chocolate. I took a nice, long shower. I chatted with some friends. I played and loved on my little baby. I started to tackle that never ending list of things that need to be done. I also read some encouraging words.

I almost immediately started to feel better about my situation. I realized that I am here to provide a happy, safe, and comfortable life for my baby. I am here to be a partner to Ten. I am here to be a friend. I am here to give a helping hand or even simply a smile to someone who needs it. I am here to make everything that I touch better and never worse. That is my goal. Having the same problem? Maybe this video will help.

My New Love....

I have found something that I absolutely love...now not more than the Duggars, but definitely more than let's say...meatloaf...and I really love me some meatloaf.

I have fallen completely in love with...wait for it...the...DICTIONARY. Seriously...who knew there was so much information in it. I'm only half joking. We all know what the dictionary is...but have you ever took the time to look up words in it. I'm not talking about when you have to because you are filling out a form or because someone uses a big word that you don't understand and want to look it up in case they drop that word bomb again....but just to really understand the meaning of a word. Well this is something that I have been doing lately. Whenever I read a book and come across a word that is common and used very frequently because of its positive connotations...then I go ahead and look it up and write down what it means...crazy you may say...but to me it has been really entertaining...and a great learning experience.

So, here are some of my favorite words and definitions:

Discipline: Now I looked up this word because it is Ten's favorite word to use...I mean like ever...he is always talking about discipline and how everyone needs it...sounds scary....but let's look at what it means....training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character....hmm...yeah...maybe everyone could use some more discipline in their lives.

Family: two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place....I kind of like this definition of family...I in fact love the part about shared goals and values...because that is what makes a successful family!

Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty....I think using this definition...we may no far more courageous people than we believe.

Diligent: characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort. Hard work isn't just about doing the work...but it is also about doing it energetically...hmmm...maybe there aren't enough diligent people today.

Anyway, the next time you write a greeting card or send out an email like this...

Bill you are such a hard worker and we are happy to have you with us.

Wouldn't it sound better to say this...

Bill you are a steady, earnest, and even better...an energetic worker. We are happy to have you....etc...

So, let's all bust our dictionaries and put words to good use.

Have-tos and Want-tos

I was listening to the radio the other day, and a program came on about organization. It said there are two types of things that we are required to do in life, and they can be divided in to "have-tos" and "want-tos." There are things that we have to do in order to get to the things that we want to do. It is a really simple and logical explanation.


As I was washing dishes, I was thinking about how I need to manage my have-tos better to get to the want-tos. So, I was mentally making a list of my have-tos and want-tos. I soon realized that I had about a million have-tos and only a tiny amount of want-tos. In fact, I had turned a good amount of my want-tos into have-tos. This is a really sad thing in my opinion. How have I turned fun things into obligations?


I mean sometimes I feel like I have to finish the book that I'm reading. I have to watch these movies that I've gotten. I have to go to this or that event. I have to upload these pictures or make this photo album. All of these things I should be enjoying doing....but instead I feel like I have to! How did I do this? I think that I have become so obsessed with getting things done that I have forgotten how to actually enjoy the things that I am doing.


So, now I have decided that I am going to try to keep my want-tos as want-tos and try to turn more of my have-tos into want-tos.


I am going to enjoy my time reading books and watching movies. I will enjoy going out and visiting with people. I am going to look forward to organizing and preparing for a new baby. I will also try to enjoy the time I spend planning menus and cooking meals. I will put on a smile when I clean and do laundry because it will make a less stressful environment for us. The list continues. 


As I have been practicing keeping these thoughts in mind I have found that my days are less stressful. I actually get more accomplished, and I am overall happier. So, I am going to continue to work on eliminating have-to from my vocabulary.

Guilty Pleasure

Okay...I'm completely addicted...to something kind of embarrassing. I am totally addicted to....The Duggars. Yes, the Duggar Family is my slight obsession. I love watching any show about them, and I check their blog religiously.

I've admitted this obsession to my grandma, mother, and sister...and they have all had the same reaction. WHY? They are religious freaks with a zillion children....and yes, I do see why they could possibly creep some people out....but I love them.

Now, I would like to say that having a million kids is not something that I would personally do, but hey it is their choice.

I love the Duggars because of their infectious enthusiasm and positive outlook on everything that they go through. Here are some of the things that keep me hooked on this family:

• Their commitment to live debt free. Amazing. This may not be practical 100% of the time, but it is definitely something to strive for. Ten and I are completely debt free, but then again...we don't really own anything...haha
•  Their commitment to having a servant's heart. This family helps each other and also dedicates a lot of time to helping others outside of their family. Wouldn't it be great if everyone acted selflessly?
• Many hands make light work. This is something that Michelle is always reinforcing in her household. I like to keep this in mind when I have to help with something that I don't necessarily want to do. The more people that help, the sooner it gets done.
• Giving positive encouragement. One thing that Michelle Duggar does is to give praise to people when they deserve it and to let people know when they are being helpful, thoughtful, etc. Many times we find it so easy to criticize and complain. However, it is so much nicer to find positive words to help shape people.
• Quality Family Time. I love the fact that the Duggars don't watch TV (though they have their own TV show??). They only watch things that are positive, and they try to find better ways to spend time with each other. When our little baby is born, this is something Ten and I definitely want to emphasize.

My list could go on and on. There are so many positive things to take away from this family. I personally fall extremely short in many of these areas, but I try to make a daily effort to  do little things that will turn these into habits. 

....and as soon as I clear out some of my old books...I am so getting both of the books by the Duggar family...crazy?....maybe