Thank you for this - we think of him a lot and we asked him SO many questions about how he did things around here. He always would answer but added that we needed to really pursue our own vision and our own way of doing things on the farm. I love that about him. I'm planning to catch up with him here soon so I'll let you all know how he's been!
Funny you say that because he'd make a phenomenal consultant and could help companies save lots of money with process improvement. Maybe I'll have him gen up a template that y'all could download and turn into something that works for you!
Keeping a daily routine can be very important for your mental health especially when it involves sleep hygiene. I don't write everything down that needs to be finished in the day but I always try to complete the essential chores and if there is extra time I may start working on a project. I always make sure that about a half hour before bedtime i allow myself to relax and try to get to sleep around the same time every night and wake up around the same time in the morning. I explain to my patients the importance of sleep hygiene in the treatment of their depression and anxiety. For instance if you are tired then you will not be motivated to do things. As a result you will start to feel guilty and lose interest. This then spirals into depression and anxiety.
Yes! This is so key - glad you brought it up! People ask us a lot when we rest but we get about 8-9 hours of sleep every night- we've had a very steady sleep routine for years and we really don't mess with that - it's what keeps us sane!!
I’m like Chris - for my job which is pretty complex I do a quarterly word document list, tasks get crossed out when completed. I also keep my official goals on a word document & use my quarterly lists to add where I am at with my official goals & it makes it so much easier to do my quarterly self evaluation as well as my final annual self assessment. Not pretty or fancy but gets the job done without taking too much extra time to keep current. I track my bills weekly on a word document too.
My grocery shopping is list coordinated too and menu planning is not but meals workout because I always have everything I need
I still need to start on my workout & exercise goals!
Every Sunday hubby and I go over our weekly calendar. We have found the app, “To Do” to be very helpful. We share our grocery list, freezer inventory, gift cards, and eBay items to list on it. He’s VERY organized and I am a fly by the seat of my pants type. Sound familiar? We complement each other.
I’m a very scheduled person. There are numerous lists on my iPad for each holiday or party we host (guests, menu, seating, timing of food preparation). Travel/ vacation list itemize every single item we need to pack & what type of container they will be in. I know...ridiculous.
I do laundry & clean house every Monday & Friday, rarely changing that schedule. Shopping & picking up groceries is on Wednesday. I try to schedule all appointments for Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Spontaneity stresses me out!
I could tell you other things I do everyday but I won’t bore you...ha! Since becoming a mom 45 years ago, I needed this structure in my home. My mom was the same way. I’m also fortunate to have a husband that appreciates my need for structure. Our motto is “A clean camp is a happy camp”! Our eight grandchildren know how we are & they still love us!
We have a much easier life style. We don’t have nearly the long list of responsibilities that you and Chris do. We make a To Do list also, just on a piece of paper. When we both worked full time, our days were more structured. We used the weekend to grocery shop and cook. We had a cleaning lady for about 10 years which was awesome. We had to schedule time to have fun which was kind of a drag because we weren’t very spontaneous the older we got. However, we had our fun as we took multiple vacations every year and went places like San Francisco, Hawaii, Key West, Belize, Acadia National Park, San Diego, South Padre, Boulder, Seattle Portland, Vancouver, Glacier National Park, Amsterdam, Paris, Corsica, Tulum. All our travels took lots of planning and research and saving money. My husband is now retired from a government job, and I work part time for benefits. So our schedule now is more carefree and we just kind of wing it now. We have evolved.
You've had quite the adventures!! And I know what you mean about having to schedule fun - we typically plan that out too just so we can make sure we're making the time to do it!!
I am a big list maker. I have tons of reminders and lists in my phone. At work I use lots of lists and spreadsheets to keep track of tasks. Checking things off is a great feeling of accomplishment.
Glad to know we're not the only ones! I was thinking we'd have a bunch of people saying, "Whoa you guys are too rigid!" Haha we've found that it really helps to just keep the stuff we do every single day on a steady drumbeat and then frees up our headspace for everything else!
I am a creature of habit and love routines and lists! Do I ever wing it? Sometimes, and it’s liberating! Lol. But I get lots of satisfaction from checking off things I’ve done as it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something that day even if it’s a small thing. Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Sarah!
Haha I laughed at this - it does feel so good to wing it! We do that a lot more now with things like adventure dates off the farm. We used to structure our day out when we traveled somewhere so we could make the most of it. Now we have so much structure in our days when we get off the farm we like to just let the good times roll!
This is a wonderful suggestion. I too don't like routine either, but I know it is a necessary in life. I have started to get myself in a routine of making a list of my to do for house repairs. For daily chores, I set the timer on my phone to complete a task (folding laundry putting it away, vacuuming, organizing paperwork, organizing items in my home, stacking wood, playing with my dog, etc.) This way I feel like I have accomplished a lot, I stay focused on my tasks and don't get off track and do something that can be put off.
Thanks again. The above gave me some ideas and of course inspiration.
I agree with you that the mental concept of "routine" seems like drudgery. However, when you are working toward something you enjoy it is not drudgery.
I am not a planner in that I don't have a documented system ( planner, calendar,etc. ). I have a plan in my head, though. Tasks are assigned to a given day or time. That is, I exercise at a certain time or I do certain tasks on given days.
I have to leave space for a spontaneous hubby, " I want to go do something fun! " . This throws me into a tailspin because now Sunday's task gets moved to Monday, for example. My brain spends what is supposed to be fun time grinding on the fact that I haven't accomplished my task for the day. The struggle is real 😂😂
Haha I know what you mean by this! Even just yesterday Chris said, "Are you sure you're good with leaving for a date day and you don't have other stuff to do?" Well yes, there's always other stuff to do but there's nothing like a good date day!!
I definitely keep a to do list for work and a separate one for my personal tasks. I also have a project list that has a “completed” section at the bottom of the list and “not started yet” section at the top. I also have daily timer reminders for routine activities. Thank goodness for my cell and laptop. These are the tools that help keep me organized. I also agree with you that completing one task each day alleviates having a marathon weekend of all-days chores.
I love this - these are all such great tools. The Clean Plan was a necessity because I would do just that- leave it all for one day and then have to spend hours doing it all instead of just doing a little often!
Planner over here! I still keep a paper calendar with all the things for the month. Embedded in that is the weekly to do list from which I get extreme satisfaction in checking things off! Throwing away a fully completed list is the pinnacle of joy 😂
Haha love this! I also keep a paper planner that has my own schedule, work, client calls, etc. I can't seem to take that digital - love being able to write it down and have the act of writing it help me commit it to memory!
I'd like David to read this! He would be so proud of you, I guess!! At the same time, I wonder what his system was...
I make handwritten lists only for complicated busy days and really enjoy crossing out when is done..
Thank you for this - we think of him a lot and we asked him SO many questions about how he did things around here. He always would answer but added that we needed to really pursue our own vision and our own way of doing things on the farm. I love that about him. I'm planning to catch up with him here soon so I'll let you all know how he's been!
Maybe Chris should teach a class on organizing.
It’s an art that makes the world go round.
I have to do lists that help keep me on task but nothing like what you have. I think I need to review my strategy. 😀
Funny you say that because he'd make a phenomenal consultant and could help companies save lots of money with process improvement. Maybe I'll have him gen up a template that y'all could download and turn into something that works for you!
Keeping a daily routine can be very important for your mental health especially when it involves sleep hygiene. I don't write everything down that needs to be finished in the day but I always try to complete the essential chores and if there is extra time I may start working on a project. I always make sure that about a half hour before bedtime i allow myself to relax and try to get to sleep around the same time every night and wake up around the same time in the morning. I explain to my patients the importance of sleep hygiene in the treatment of their depression and anxiety. For instance if you are tired then you will not be motivated to do things. As a result you will start to feel guilty and lose interest. This then spirals into depression and anxiety.
Yes! This is so key - glad you brought it up! People ask us a lot when we rest but we get about 8-9 hours of sleep every night- we've had a very steady sleep routine for years and we really don't mess with that - it's what keeps us sane!!
Defo have a to do list at work on the family fridge helps me to have a plan and my phone is my
Bible all tasks are out in my calendar and I have an alarm to remind me before they are due to be done
Glad to know we're in good company haha!
I’m like Chris - for my job which is pretty complex I do a quarterly word document list, tasks get crossed out when completed. I also keep my official goals on a word document & use my quarterly lists to add where I am at with my official goals & it makes it so much easier to do my quarterly self evaluation as well as my final annual self assessment. Not pretty or fancy but gets the job done without taking too much extra time to keep current. I track my bills weekly on a word document too.
My grocery shopping is list coordinated too and menu planning is not but meals workout because I always have everything I need
I still need to start on my workout & exercise goals!
Every Sunday hubby and I go over our weekly calendar. We have found the app, “To Do” to be very helpful. We share our grocery list, freezer inventory, gift cards, and eBay items to list on it. He’s VERY organized and I am a fly by the seat of my pants type. Sound familiar? We complement each other.
I’m a very scheduled person. There are numerous lists on my iPad for each holiday or party we host (guests, menu, seating, timing of food preparation). Travel/ vacation list itemize every single item we need to pack & what type of container they will be in. I know...ridiculous.
I do laundry & clean house every Monday & Friday, rarely changing that schedule. Shopping & picking up groceries is on Wednesday. I try to schedule all appointments for Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Spontaneity stresses me out!
I could tell you other things I do everyday but I won’t bore you...ha! Since becoming a mom 45 years ago, I needed this structure in my home. My mom was the same way. I’m also fortunate to have a husband that appreciates my need for structure. Our motto is “A clean camp is a happy camp”! Our eight grandchildren know how we are & they still love us!
We have a much easier life style. We don’t have nearly the long list of responsibilities that you and Chris do. We make a To Do list also, just on a piece of paper. When we both worked full time, our days were more structured. We used the weekend to grocery shop and cook. We had a cleaning lady for about 10 years which was awesome. We had to schedule time to have fun which was kind of a drag because we weren’t very spontaneous the older we got. However, we had our fun as we took multiple vacations every year and went places like San Francisco, Hawaii, Key West, Belize, Acadia National Park, San Diego, South Padre, Boulder, Seattle Portland, Vancouver, Glacier National Park, Amsterdam, Paris, Corsica, Tulum. All our travels took lots of planning and research and saving money. My husband is now retired from a government job, and I work part time for benefits. So our schedule now is more carefree and we just kind of wing it now. We have evolved.
You've had quite the adventures!! And I know what you mean about having to schedule fun - we typically plan that out too just so we can make sure we're making the time to do it!!
Yes we’ve had some incredible travels! You do have to schedule time for fun when you have a lot going on. It’s very important.
I am a big list maker. I have tons of reminders and lists in my phone. At work I use lots of lists and spreadsheets to keep track of tasks. Checking things off is a great feeling of accomplishment.
Glad to know we're not the only ones! I was thinking we'd have a bunch of people saying, "Whoa you guys are too rigid!" Haha we've found that it really helps to just keep the stuff we do every single day on a steady drumbeat and then frees up our headspace for everything else!
I am a creature of habit and love routines and lists! Do I ever wing it? Sometimes, and it’s liberating! Lol. But I get lots of satisfaction from checking off things I’ve done as it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something that day even if it’s a small thing. Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Sarah!
Haha I laughed at this - it does feel so good to wing it! We do that a lot more now with things like adventure dates off the farm. We used to structure our day out when we traveled somewhere so we could make the most of it. Now we have so much structure in our days when we get off the farm we like to just let the good times roll!
This is a wonderful suggestion. I too don't like routine either, but I know it is a necessary in life. I have started to get myself in a routine of making a list of my to do for house repairs. For daily chores, I set the timer on my phone to complete a task (folding laundry putting it away, vacuuming, organizing paperwork, organizing items in my home, stacking wood, playing with my dog, etc.) This way I feel like I have accomplished a lot, I stay focused on my tasks and don't get off track and do something that can be put off.
Thanks again. The above gave me some ideas and of course inspiration.
Love the idea of setting a timer- that's a fun way to allot some time and go after it!
I agree with you that the mental concept of "routine" seems like drudgery. However, when you are working toward something you enjoy it is not drudgery.
I am not a planner in that I don't have a documented system ( planner, calendar,etc. ). I have a plan in my head, though. Tasks are assigned to a given day or time. That is, I exercise at a certain time or I do certain tasks on given days.
I have to leave space for a spontaneous hubby, " I want to go do something fun! " . This throws me into a tailspin because now Sunday's task gets moved to Monday, for example. My brain spends what is supposed to be fun time grinding on the fact that I haven't accomplished my task for the day. The struggle is real 😂😂
Haha I know what you mean by this! Even just yesterday Chris said, "Are you sure you're good with leaving for a date day and you don't have other stuff to do?" Well yes, there's always other stuff to do but there's nothing like a good date day!!
I definitely keep a to do list for work and a separate one for my personal tasks. I also have a project list that has a “completed” section at the bottom of the list and “not started yet” section at the top. I also have daily timer reminders for routine activities. Thank goodness for my cell and laptop. These are the tools that help keep me organized. I also agree with you that completing one task each day alleviates having a marathon weekend of all-days chores.
I love this - these are all such great tools. The Clean Plan was a necessity because I would do just that- leave it all for one day and then have to spend hours doing it all instead of just doing a little often!
Planner over here! I still keep a paper calendar with all the things for the month. Embedded in that is the weekly to do list from which I get extreme satisfaction in checking things off! Throwing away a fully completed list is the pinnacle of joy 😂
Haha love this! I also keep a paper planner that has my own schedule, work, client calls, etc. I can't seem to take that digital - love being able to write it down and have the act of writing it help me commit it to memory!