User Comments

1. 

   3/08/08

   MadameX

   That was the story of my life for the past two years. In January, I changed jobs and made some huge changes, introducing radical things like the 7-hour night of sleep on a regular basis and civilized dinners at a civilized hour. I definitely recommend it.

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   1. 

      3/08/08

      CreativeFossil

      I am in bed for at least 7 hrs though last night not in bed till 2.20am, kids woke me around 7am. But I generally only get 4hrs sleep anyway.
      
      I'd like to watch Frasier without having to type in the background.
      
      Fortunately kids ensure civilised dinner times
      
      Glad you got your routine sorted. I need to focus on one thing though they are kinda tied together. Anyway off to deal with that washing pile.....bleuhhhhh
2. 

   3/08/08

   gosmelltheflowers

   Seconded Madame X - gotta have a ruthless focus,
   
   Determine what counts, what gives and where your 80:20 in life and business is!
   
   A great life coaching tool is the wheel of life - you grade out of 10 where you think each aspect of your life - 10 being great, 1 being poor:
   
   Draw this out in a wheel like circle:
   
   money
   career
   health
   fun / leisure
   Family and friends
   Significant other / romance
   Physical environment
   Personal growth
   
   Now grade each on where you'd like to be!
   
   The idea is the smoother the wheel the more equal the scores so 7's all the way may be better than a 1 in an area and a 10 next to it.
   
   I truly hope this helps!
   
   It works for us flower smellers in the midst of the Dubai madness!

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   1. 

      3/08/08

      CreativeFossil

      Thank you flowers, it does help
      
      I think I'm even in all areas, except leisure.
      
      Although when with friends that is leisure and I try to meet up with them during the day couple of times a week at least.
      
      I just don't seem to sit still doing nothing....ever, maybe I'll make that bath time!
   2. 

      3/08/08

      MadameX

      This is a great list Emma/Jim. A few months ago my numbers would have gone something like:
      
      8
      9
      2
      2
      3
      0
      1
      5
      
      It's pretty easy to see that something is out of kilter when you put it that way!
3. 

   3/08/08

   atimetodance

   I can totally relate even though I don't have kids. I work a full time office job that takes 11 hours of my day incl. commute and takes me out of town on travel 2 week a month on average, I go to dance class or practice 4-5 days a week, spend time with my husband, write in my blog, and sometime in there I also have to keep up with the other blogs, sleep, do laundry, eat, and exercise. Still, I feel blessed to have the life that I have. I just wouldn't know how to do it with kids!

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4. 

   3/08/08

   picstoenjoy

   I have a pretty calm life ... my 2 cents is to eliminate what you don't like and/or don't need and then just take your time with the rest. It all evens out in the end.

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   1. 

      3/08/08

      MadameX

      That sounds good in theory, but the problem most people run into, I think, is that with a full-time job and children, 18 or so hours a day are taken up before you even get to think about things you don't want or need.
   2. 

      3/08/08

      picstoenjoy

      ture - everyone's life is different. But there comes a time where you have to stop doing things that really don't add anything to you life ... especially when they are things that are unnecessary. Obviously you can't just quit your job or not take care of your kids ... but if you look there's probably things you can eliminate if you want. It's if you want that's the tricky part.
   3. 

      3/08/08

      MadameX

      That's what we always hear, but until I was able to change jobs just a couple of months ago, I was putting in 12 hours a day between work and the commute, doing freelance work a lot of weekends, and doing my best to try to be an adequate parent around all that. I can honestly say that there literally wasn't anything else--I realized when I finally changed jobs and schedules a couple of months ago that I had seen friends exactly three times in two years. I think that the world is full of single parents in similar circumstances.
5. 

   3/08/08

   Anok

   I used to. Now I just don't care anymore
   
   In all seriousness though, I take time and cut out stuff in spurts, or rotate so I can focus on priorities. There have been times when I wouldn't post for weeks because I had to much stuff to take care of at home or in real life.
   
   You'll get through it though, promise!

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6. 

   3/08/08

   CreativeFossil

   I think the problem for me is I'm working towards a deadline when the world caves in
   
   That for me is December
   
   Things change greatly financially at that time, so need to make something happen between now and then to replace lost income and it has to be something that fits around the kids (they always come first).
   
   I have a plan A and a backup Plan B and working the two is making it damn hard to do a good job of either!
   
   Meanwhile this totally random thing has popped up in the middle of it all.
   We'll call that plan C!

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   1. 

      3/08/08

      Anok

      Sometimes, when you think it's all about to hit the fan...another option will present itself.
      
      Just remember to keep your eyes peeled for all the opportunities that pop up....
7. 

   3/08/08

   gosmelltheflowers

   Plan C is where the fun starts!
   
   Be bold, dive in and watch what happens....
   
   When you've taken one bold step contact me through the PMB and I'll try something I've not done here before - coach (for free) using private in PMB!
   
   THAT rhymes but I'd like to help - no hidden just here if it helps.

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   1. 

      3/08/08

      CreativeFossil

      Thanks just one question...whats PMB?
      
      brain on a go slow today....think I'll allow myself a night off!
8. 

   3/08/08

   kaybday

   Always. Too many balls bouncing, not enough air. I think I'm going to retire and get a job at a fast food restaurant one of these days. Seriously.best, Kay

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   1. 

      3/08/08

      CreativeFossil

      fast food restaurant doesn't sound like an easy life. How about deck chair hirer at a lovely hot beach. Uniform = flipflops and a cap
9. 

   3/08/08

   fliprent

   There just not enough time in a day, week, month... Trying to balance, real estate investing business, IT consulting business (which requires travel), 3 kids, huneyduelist, online marketing, webdesign company, church activites, where does it end....!!! I dont know what happenned to social life. I feel your pain. :-)

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   1. 

      3/08/08

      CreativeFossil

      we'll collapse in heap together.....
10. 

    3/08/08

    gosmelltheflowers

    PMB is personal message board / shoutbox here at blog catalog - kinda a corner is a bar we can go and talk in..........
    
    Flower don't stalk by the way :-)

    [reply]
    1. 

       3/08/08

       CreativeFossil

       Oh the shout box!
       
       I know flowers don't stalk...my stalkers more like a miserable little weed
11. 

    3/08/08

    dotartdude

    Any of your items fall under "take care of it before it takes care of you?"

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    1. 

       3/08/08

       CreativeFossil

       Well, if I don't take care of washing (still haven't done it) then yes it will take care of me. I'll drown under it, naked too, as will have nothing left to wear!