This may or may not be a relatable topic for you guys, but personally time seems to just fly by me! Oh, and lets not forget how FAST time passes when one has a full agenda of chores before a big event. Being stuck on what I consider the 'rat wheel' of life can be frustrating. No matter how many tasks I knock out 10 more seem to quickly pop up to fill in the gaps.
I tend to classify tasks into a few different categories; tasks that never end, maintenance tasks and tasks that life throws at me. Below I broke down these categories and gave a few examples of each. This way you can see a little bit more into my reasoning and madness.
Tasks that never end. These tasks are the ones that can easily frustrate me, despite me logically knowing that the emotions these tasks bring up are irrational. Now I’m not saying my emotions aren’t valid, they are, but if we are being realistic, it doesn’t make sense for my anger towards my dishes to color my entire day. That being said, I would be lying to you if I said my anger towards never ending tasks didn’t bleed into my life on occasion. After all, I am human and I make mistakes.
Doing dishes, laundry, cleaning my house, and picking up after myself are all tasks I consider never ending. By this I mean until I die, I will always have these tasks to complete. There just is no actual end to these tasks. On top of that, these tasks are super hard to motivate myself to complete because there is really is no reward for the task other than it being temporarily complete. Yes, I am aware of the old faithful statement of “that is life.” While I can’t really argue that point, I also don’t want to because these tasks are a part of life. However, we don’t have to let these tasks dictate how we live life.
Many times, I encounter individuals who are worried about doing the dishes and having the laundry completed. The reason? It was how these tasks had been role modeled to them. Or it’s the famous statement of ‘that’s the minimal expectation of being a ‘functional adult’. It doesn’t have to be that way though. I know different skills work for different individuals. At the end of this entry, I have listed some skills that I use but also skills that people in my life actively use as well to help them tackle never ending and other types of tasks.
Maintenance tasks. These tasks tend to require us to pay a little bit more attention to, even if we don’t want to do them. These tasks still cause some irritation as they tend to occur at inconvenient times. However, since the time between completing some of these tasks is lengthy it can be easier to motivate myself to complete them.
Doctor appointments, random house maintenance tasks that pop up such as window repairs, yearly taxes and taking care of those pesky car lights when they pop on. I label these tasks as maintenance because they tend to aid in the prevention of things getting worse or going unnoticed. For example, going to the doctor on my yearly visit can help me understand the overall picture of my physical health. It also allows me to make adjusts if my health screen shows anything concerning. If I never completed this task then I could encounter many hidden health concerns later in life that could have been avoided. Even though I know these tasks do have rewards in terms of preventing potential problems, I still find myself procrastinating on them at times. Perhaps it's the fear of discovering something unpleasant or the inconvenience of having to take time out of my already busy schedule. However, I'm learning to reframe my perspective and remind myself that taking care of these maintenance tasks is an investment in my future well-being and peace of mind.
Tasks that life throws at me. Ah, the unexpected curveballs that life loves to toss our way! These are the events or obligations that pop up unexpectedly and demand our immediate attention. Whether it's a sudden work assignment, a family emergency, or an invitation to a last-minute social event, these tasks can disrupt even the most well-planned schedules.
Dealing with the unpredictability of life can be overwhelming, especially when we're already struggling to manage our time effectively. It's essential to be adaptable and embrace the fact that life will throw us challenges that require us to adjust our plans. While we can't control every aspect of our lives, we can control how we respond to these unexpected tasks.
One approach is to prioritize and assess the urgency of each new task that arises. Not everything may be of equal importance, and it's okay to delegate or postpone some tasks if necessary. Additionally, consider setting aside a designated "buffer" time in your schedule to handle unexpected tasks that might come up during the day. This way, you won't feel as overwhelmed when life throws you a curveball.
Time management techniques. Managing our time effectively is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. There are various time management techniques that can help us regain control over our busy schedules and reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Prioritize tasks: Divide your to-do list into "must-do" tasks and "nice-to-do" tasks. Focus on the most critical tasks first and tackle the less urgent ones later.
Set realistic goals: Be mindful of how much you can realistically accomplish in a day. Overloading yourself with tasks can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.
Use time-blocking: Allocate specific time blocks for different tasks and activities. This method helps you stay focused and avoid multitasking, which can be counterproductive.
Minimize distractions: Identify common distractions in your environment and find ways to minimize them. Consider turning off social media notifications or setting specific times for checking emails.
Take breaks: Incorporate short breaks throughout your day to recharge and refocus. Stepping away from tasks for a few minutes can improve your overall productivity.
Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate certain tasks to others to free up time and energy for more important responsibilities.
Practice self-compassion: Be understanding and forgiving of yourself when you don't accomplish everything as planned. Remember that nobody is perfect, and it's okay to make adjustments along the way.
Use tools and apps: Utilize productivity tools and apps to help you stay organized and track your tasks. There are various time management apps available that can assist you in staying on top of your schedule.
In conclusion, managing time effectively is a constant challenge that many of us face. It's essential to recognize that time is a finite resource, and we must use it wisely to accomplish our goals and prioritize what truly matters to us. By categorizing tasks, acknowledging our emotions, and utilizing time management techniques, we can regain control over our time and reduce feelings of overwhelm. Remember that it's okay to seek support or guidance in developing time management skills, as finding a strategy that works for you is a personal and evolving journey. So let's continue to conquer "adulting" one task at a time and make the most of our precious time!
#Life #struggles are real #therapist #just living life #Therapist are human too