It seems like I'm always juggling my time - trying to figure out when to do what.  So far my 'system' involves two calendars - one for this year, one for the coming year.    They are erasable so when one year is over, I wipe that one clean and begin the following year leap-frogging the two calendars.

The current calendar is next to my desk, the other hung on the door to my office.

On the calendars I enter all major events for which I need to be prepared - workshops, shows, conferences, etc. blocking out the days of the event.  This way I don't double-book myself. 

Once a workshop is tentatively booked, I mark it on the calendar until the cancel/go-ahead date.  If it cancels, it's easily erased.

Then I make job lists.  I've just fine tuned my approach to job lists (post on my blog yesterday). 

Other suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Laura

Comments

KokoSam (not verified)

Hi Laura,

I always seem to be like a dog chasing my tail. So i would really like more ideas and suggestions on this.  I usually make lists and that is reasonable, except I usually list to many things for a given time/day!  I like your idea of the calendars.

Cheers Judy

hlf (not verified)

I keep my organizational skills focused on my day job.  For my fun stuff, I have just the roughest of plans and avoid due dates whenever possible.  I have enough of that at work!

But if this _is_ work for you, hierarchical lists like you are doing are good.  I like the idea of starting with the year of events and then working that in to smaller and smaller chunks until you know what you need to do next.  I also encourage you to celebrate when you meet those targets!  That's at least as important as creating the list in the first place.  :-)

 

-heather f.

laurafry

Yes, weaving is my work.  :) 

I'm finding crossing things off in smaller chunks is keeping me more motivated than trying to wait until the entire task is done.  For instance, just two more cones of yarn (one of the yarns anyway) to wind into skeins to be dyed.  Next is to  check the calendar to set up a dye day.  With three boxes of yarn ready to be dyed, it would be nice to move on to the next step.  :)

Cheers,

Laura

Alaire Rieffel (not verified)

 

Alas, there is never enough time to weave, at least for those of us for whom it is a hobby!  

What works for me is to try to hold sacred the period from 4 to 6:30 pm for weaving on the days I don't go to work.  (I work 3 days a week; the times are dictated by NPR programming of All Things Considered, etc.)  Usually I can get my household chores done by then.  Even though I don't weave to sell, I try to have respect for the craft and consider it meaningful and worthwhile work and not frivolous play.  (Yes, this reflects an excess of Calvinist influence!)  Over time, this has become more of a habit and it's easier to set the time aside.

This is one approach....of many.

KokoSam (not verified)

Hi Laura,

I always seem to be like a dog chasing my tail. So i would really like more ideas and suggestions on this.  I usually make lists and that is reasonable, except I usually list to many things for a given time/day!  I like your idea of the calendars.

Cheers Judy

hlf (not verified)

I keep my organizational skills focused on my day job.  For my fun stuff, I have just the roughest of plans and avoid due dates whenever possible.  I have enough of that at work!

But if this _is_ work for you, hierarchical lists like you are doing are good.  I like the idea of starting with the year of events and then working that in to smaller and smaller chunks until you know what you need to do next.  I also encourage you to celebrate when you meet those targets!  That's at least as important as creating the list in the first place.  :-)

 

-heather f.

laurafry

Yes, weaving is my work.  :) 

I'm finding crossing things off in smaller chunks is keeping me more motivated than trying to wait until the entire task is done.  For instance, just two more cones of yarn (one of the yarns anyway) to wind into skeins to be dyed.  Next is to  check the calendar to set up a dye day.  With three boxes of yarn ready to be dyed, it would be nice to move on to the next step.  :)

Cheers,

Laura

Alaire Rieffel (not verified)

 

Alas, there is never enough time to weave, at least for those of us for whom it is a hobby!  

What works for me is to try to hold sacred the period from 4 to 6:30 pm for weaving on the days I don't go to work.  (I work 3 days a week; the times are dictated by NPR programming of All Things Considered, etc.)  Usually I can get my household chores done by then.  Even though I don't weave to sell, I try to have respect for the craft and consider it meaningful and worthwhile work and not frivolous play.  (Yes, this reflects an excess of Calvinist influence!)  Over time, this has become more of a habit and it's easier to set the time aside.

This is one approach....of many.