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Thursday, April 23, 2009

Mommying and Writing: The Nitty Gritty - The Calendar

For the next two weeks I'll be running a 'Mommying and Writing' series. Just a few things I've learned along the way as both a Mommy and a Writer!

The Calendar.

One of the first things I did to make more time for writing was to gain control of my calendar. I started by looking at my month and filling in all the necessary appointments: doctor appointments, homeschool field trips, church events. The next thing I did was to pick “town” days. Since town was a 30-minute drive, I’d try to plan one day for errands such as the library and post-office. This not only saved fuel, it save time. When something needed to be done, I didn’t run into town then. I put it on the list for the next time.


I also organized my daily schedule.

6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Quiet time

7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast and get kids dressed

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Devotions with kids and Bible reading

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Chores.

No, I didn’t not always stick to that schedule. In fact, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I even got close. Yet, it did help me plan. It gave me guidelines for my day and helped me become disciplined. I didn’t turn on Regis and Kelly and watch it for an hour, because once I figured out my goals I knew that adding that in would mean cutting something else out.

6 comments:

Wendy Paine Miller said...

This was helpful and something I need to be more intentional about...I think cutting out TV has really given me back valuable writing time. I'm enjoying these posts!!!
~ Wendy

Anonymous said...

This is really one of my goals this year. I planned to create a schedule and stick with it. But, Lord knows I have very unpredictable days. Honestly, spending quality "building time" with little Kellus is so important to me. I have to read to him, color with him and sing/dance with him every day. If not, I feel like I have spent too much time with other things and not teaching with my son. On the other hand, I also blog daily, write for my newsletter and work on my book(s). By the time husband is home... I'm pooped because I still have to keep a clean house or I'd grow insane. Scheduling is certainly needed- I'm going to take your advice and try to work something out! I do know that come June, when little Kerissa is here, if I don't have a schedule I'll lose my mind!

Thanks Tricia!

Blessings,
Kennisha

ebussey said...

This is one of my favorite series you have done and Happy 2nd Birthday to My Writing Mentor!

Tricia Goyer said...

My 2nd birthday? Really! I had no idea!

Lynn Squire said...

I've even evaluated whether appointments are necessary. Of late, I have found doctors and dentists consume more of my time then I have concluded are really necessary. But that's me - might not work for everyone else.

The Book Whisperer said...

Thanks for sharing these tips, I will have to implemented some of these myself, thank you for sharing!