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October
2008
Feature Article: "Do You Have Downtime Everyday?"
October is a good month to gauge how
well you manage time. Why is that? Because you are either running a balanced
pace or over committed now that September is over. I know. My girlfriend
complains every October about her schedule. Read below to see how to keep a
balanced life with some downtime in your life.
This fall has been exciting with the
most useful and practical book I've ever written, Simplify Your Holidays. It's
been purchased by my readers at Sam's Club in Huntsville, AL: Atlanta, GA; and R.G. Mitchell store in Ontario, Canada!
To make it easier for you to get it
so you can start the eight-week calendar the last day of October I'm offering it
to you today. I'll even autograph it if you order it before the weekend!
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Important News . . . * Sam's Club ordered 15,000 copies of Simplify Your Holidays. You can help me by purchasing copies there right away! Let me know what city and where you got your copy to add to my "Book Sighting" list. * Business Name Change! After 23
years I've changed my business name to "The Organizing Pro
and Co." It's good to start fresh and October 1 was a good
date to begin anew. |
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Today's Time Tip . . .
"When flying from New York to San
Francisco, we don't allow only three minutes to change planes in Denver.
A much greater margin of error is needed. But if we make such allowances
in our travels, why don't we do it in our living? Life is a journey, but
it is not a race. Do yourself a favor and slow down."
–Richard Swenson, MD
FEATURE ARTICLE: "Do
You Have Downtime Everyday?"
by Marcia Ramsland, The Organizing Pro
One fall my close friend, Brenda,
complained about her schedule over a cup of coffee. “I’m feeling
overwhelmed and it’s just October. I have something every night of this
week. There’s just too much to do. Why does all this come at once?”
I put down my tea and said what only a friend can say,
“Are you surprised? This happens to you every October.”
“What do you mean?” she replied.
“I don’t mean to meddle, but every fall you sign up for all kinds of new things
in September and by October you’re overwhelmed. It happens every year. The
problem is, there’s no downtime in your life with a schedule like that. You’ve
exceeded the normal limit of four nights out in a week.”
What Is
Downtime Each Day?
Downtime is a pendulum swing from stress to rest. Downtime is getting away from
the source of the stress to a place of emotional comfort. Downtime is the way to
regroup to restore your focus and perspective. The less you have of it, the more
likely you are to burn out.
Our lives need balance, not a task to fill in every minute of the day. We have
hearts and emotions that cooperate when we are rested and rebel when we're under
stress. After intense work and activities, we need a break. We need time away
from routine to counterbalance the stresses of our day.
Where Can I Possibly Fit In Downtime?
Fitting downtime into your daily schedule is easier than you might guess. Insert a few minutes of downtime during the day doing whatever you like to do to relax physically and mentally, such as the following:
1. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea as a common daily "downtime" experience.
2. Watch your favorite TV show (but don't linger to become a couch potato).
3. Call your mom or friend to chat after a long day with the kids or at work.
4. Use your bread maker to wake up to the aroma of fresh bread each morning.
5. Start each day with a walk and chat with a friend.
6. Work out routinely to relieve your daily tension.
7. Take a power nap before dinner.
8. Smile with only eleven muscles to relax the forty-seven tense ones that it takes to frown.
9. Take a walking break at lunch or after work
10. End
your day with a good book to unwind.
How do You Know if You Need Downtime?
Ask a close friend if he or she thinks you work too much. And recognize your
own personal red flags of not falling asleep, staying up late to catch up, or
working on weekends to catch up.
Take Time Out Before You Burn Out
In life you have two choices to keep from burn out. You can either work yourself into a frazzle and burn out sooner than you should, or you can take time out each day. If you can’t think of what you enjoy for downtime in your day, then start a new trend = mark the initials “D.T.” in your daily calendar. That stands for “Down Time,” your new best Friend for making it through the fall season with stamina for the holidays ahead.
This excerpt is from
Simplify Your Time - a Thirty Day Time Makeover available at
www.OrganizingPro.com
or Office Depot.
Events to Save You Time and Get Organized!
1) October 9, 2009 San Diego, CA. Dinner
Launch meeting and program for women in media on the West Coast/San
Diego. Visit
http://www.womeninchristianmedia.org
2) November 15, 2008 San Diego, CA. The
Smart Woman's Lifestyle Conference all day Saturday with national
experts to focus on health and wealth, home and work.
http://www.smartwomanslifestyle.com
3) January 23-25, 2009 Miami, FL. The You Can Do It! Organizing Conference for personal training and consultation with Professional Organizers Sandra Felton, Marcia Ramsland, and Marsha Simms. Visit http://www.sortitout.net/Class/
Don't
forget to be the FIRST to get my newest book,
Simplify Your Holidays! Let
me know if you spot it in Sam's Club and what city. I'm keeping track of
"Book Sightings!" Thanks... and let me know how you like it.
Warmly,
Marcia Ramsland,
The
Organizing Pro
Simplify Your Holidays PRESEASON SALE today!