Becoming Who You Want To Be

Today the world works at lightning speeds. Everyone is on the go all the time. We rush to and fro without taking time out to reflect on what matters. This means it’s awfully hard to squeeze in some good quality time with the family. Modern families seem to operate at the speed of light. There are so many things to attend to-band practice, doctor’s appointments, pizza nights, homework, chores and errands. Time has become a very precious commodity.

The key to sorting all of this out is to get accustomed to making schedules and to get organized. You and your family need to maintain a set time table and stick to it. If not, you’ll become overwhelmed. Develop the habit of organization. If you don’t, you’ll most likely feel drained at the end of each day without having accomplished anything you set out to do. Realize that there are ways to work around this delicate balancing act.

Simply by going along with a few easy guidelines you’ll be able to manage your family time like a charm. You won’t need to feel overwhelmed anymore.

All you really need is to sit down and do some planning.

The very first step you should take is to get yourself organized. This means purchasing a calendar, preferably a large paper one which allows you to write in activities. Hang it on a wall in the kitchen or living room where everyone can see it. There are also a large variety of free online apps that you can use to help schedule everything. Keep in mind that all managers and CEOs keep their busy schedules on track by using planners and organizers. Emulate them.

A good idea is to purchase a calendar or you can use online apps or even your cell phone or PDA. Gather important dates such as recitals, soccer practices, PTA meetings, doctor’s appointments, dental check ups and the like. Write them all done. Consider organizing your calendar with colors for each name. Remember to record the who, what, when and where of each task.

Always be thinking ahead. Sometimes your schedule can become overly hectic. Compensate for those especially harried days by scheduling in activities and important dates well before hand. Check your calendar each morning so you don’t forget anything. Use online apps to remind you.

Try to use your weekends to plan ahead too. Organize your schedule as soon as you can. Look and see where you might need to move things in order to compensate for emergencies or heavy workloads.

Dole out duties. If one parent is in charge of transportation, maybe you could switch things up to better accommodate your schedules. Remember that if need be, you can always look to others; ask family members and friends to lend a helping hand; they’ll be glad to help.

Don’t forget to consider what’s important and what’s not. That’s called prioritizing. Learn to do that.

Take time out and remember to smell the roses from time to time.

Damian Papworth enjoys the challenges of being the father in his young family. Not too long ago he went shopping for baby high chairs. He decided he liked wooden high chairs most of all.