Since my husband resigned from his teaching job, we have a new schedule in our house. With it comes more time for me to devote to blogging. Yay!
When I get on the computer, I usually plow through my normal daily tasks pretty quickly and productively. However, there are times when I can feel myself dragging.
The best way to get myself back on track is to step away from the computer for about 15 minutes or so. There's just too much vying for my attention when I'm staring at the screen: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Reader, email, comments (and now Google+)! The list goes on and sometimes I find myself jumping from one thing to the next and before I know it, an hour (or more) is gone. Just like that.
3 things I do to regroup
So what do I do during that 15 minute break? Three things:
- I review my daily to-do list. Did I complete everything on there?
- I look ahead. What's coming up? What can I get ahead on?
- I choose the most profitable thing. There is always something good to do online. Always. It never ends. But just because it's good, doesn't mean it's the best. The best is not always clearly apparent, but I want to develop the skill of being able to choose that which is most profitable.
"Profitable" needs to be determined by each person separately. It may or may not mean financially profitable. What is your goal? Why are you blogging? What are you trying to accomplish through your blog? Write it down and post it in front of you if necessary, but always know what you are trying to accomplish. Is it earning income? Connecting with others? Promoting something you believe in? Highlighting a worth cause? A combination?
The best way to spend your time is to define your goal (blogging or otherwise) and work backwards from there. What tasks today "fit" with that goal? Concentrate on those things.
What about you? Any tips that help you get back on track?
(By the way, shameless plug…Tell Your Time is on sale!)
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Excellent article. I do have the issue of losing time on the computer. I will go to do one thing and an hour will go by and I will have forgotten what the one thing is.
Thank you for being so genourous with advice.
I am terrible about letting myself get sucked in to a distraction. It usually happens when I sit down to write a post without knowing exactly what it is I want to write about. I go off looking for inspiration and then–what do you know–I've totally forgotten the whole reason I jumped onto the computer to begin with.
Great post; very helpful.
#3 is such a smart thing to do, and I don't know if I've ever thought of it that way. I usually get some fresh air (stepping away, like you do), and prioritize what has to be done in my mind, and then go back and do that. Usually this is what's coming up on deadline first. But you just made me realize that what's on deadline isn't necessarily what will be most profitable, so thank you for that.
This was so on point for me, you never think (well I never think) that asking for direction would come in the form of a tweet! Have a great rest of the weekend!
You must have known how my life has been lately.
I've had so much trouble getting everything done that I have needed to. I'm going to try this method starting first thing tomorrow morning.
Hopefully all will go well!
I just found Amy's blog yesterday, purchased the Time Your Time ebook and have just started reading it. I found this article of hers today and it spoke to me, inspired me to blog about it (robinbarrbuzz.com). I have issues regarding time and distraction, and I mentioned that when I realize another hour or two has disappeared (busy pinning animal and wedding pictures), I feel some shame. These are simple and very good ideas I've already started with. Thank you Amy and I look forward to getting to know you better and enhance my life through reading your blog.
So glad you stopped by, Robin!
Great post- always nice to know what others do to get back on track. I also work offline at times, to limit compulsive link hopping. If I am working online, I use my Read It Later folder in my bookmarks, and I put everything that threatens to derail my train of thought there. When I have some extra time, I sort through those bookmarks, have a few "What was I thinking?" moments, and sometimes end up with some great new resources.
Occasionally I do have to walk away to refocus, and for me, cleaning is the best way to get my groove back. A 15 minute whirlwind of sweeping/dusting/mopping, or weeding the garden, or clearing the kitchen counters perks me up and gives my brain a rest. THEN I look at my to do list again and prioritize.
Coffee is also an essential part of this process.
I love Read it Later too (although now it's called Pocket)!