28-Day Pit Stop (October)

On the 28th day of each month (in honor of PMS and that whole menstrual cycle thing), we make a Pit-Stop to rally support for each other during a particular moment of PSM.

This month's little adventure is entitled "Time". I don't know about you, but even though there is much more of it as a PSMer than there was as a single mom, there is also never enough. It's why there was only one post on this blog in the month of October. (I can't believe that October is almost over. What the hell happened to September? Or August, for that matter?)

My Paralysis Stage, spent lost and immobilized, felt like the sand in the hourglass was flowing in slow motion. But now, almost two years later, not only has it sped up, I swear it's moving in fast forward. Believe me, this has nothing to do with a jam-packed work and social calendar. I mean, I do okay, but I'm not turning down offers for get-togethers because I'm too busy.

I think this dilemma might be the result of rusty time management skills. We single moms are bloody experts at kicking time's butt, but take away our little subordinates and there's really not much to manage, comparatively speaking. And in keeping with that old adage, "If you want something done right, give it to a busy person," sometimes, not much gets done at all.

This is when I'm supposed to offer suggestions and solutions for this month's topic, but I'm at a loss. What to do? Of course, I turn to the Google. And wouldn't you know that there's a www.timemanagement.com that promises to save us an hour a day while increasing our productivity and income!! One item on their Techniques page is "How a 2-Month Vacation Can Boost Your Productivity". I didn't click on it, because it's always tuition season here, but I wish someone would and report back!!

I did click on "The Single Most Powerful Productivity Secret", which suggests making a "top priority list" of no more than six things to do the next day and prioritizing each item with a number. In the "Top Mistakes" section, they also suggest not multi-tasking, not checking email more than twice a day, and not working in an office that involves interruptions. Now, I ask you. Is any of that helpful? I didn't think so.

They do sell software that will recover 11 weeks of wasted time each year. I couldn't find the price without spending some of that 11 weeks, and I couldn't help but think that if I did decide to purchase it, I'd have to take time to find my credit card info and then there would be download time and then I'd have to figure out how to use the software and, well, I got enough troubles.

Anybody?? If you have newly found time-related issues and/or solutions, I'd love it if you would submit a comment with your experience. Yours may be just the inspiration or the support or the laugh a PSM sister needs!!