PLAYING TETRIS WITH TIME MANAGEMENT

There I was, running around trying to juggle umpteen items nand doing only a fair job of it at best. There was my ntherapy business, and I have been putting big pieces into nplace to add coaching to my business along with having to nprepare a presentation for an annual convention. Then nthere's family, kids' needs, marital needs... You know nwhat I mean.

Suddenly I thought about my wife. I began to notice how nsmoothly she manages tasks in her life. It would have been nreally easy to miss because she really does make it look neffortless, but when you add up the sheer number of things nshe does... WHOA! Absolutely amazing!

So, about two weeks ago I asked her if she would teach me nhow she juggles so much so well. She asked for a few days nto think about it. She said, "Honestly, I just do it, so
I'll have to think more about how it is that I do all I do.
" Here is what she came up with.

Her first comments came a few hours later. She said, "Do nyou remember my favorite game, Tetris? Well, I work with ntime like I play the game Tetris." Pieces are always nfalling, it never stops. Sometimes you get an indication nof what's coming, because at the right of the screen there's na picture of the next falling piece, but when the pieces npick up speed you often have no time even to look over to nsee what's coming. You simply have to fit them all into nplace as they are falling at a frenzied pace. "This," she nsaid, "is how I manage time."

What a great analogy and then she added these jewels to nround it out for me. I'm passing them along to you.
They've already made a difference in how I deal with time nmanagement. I know they will for you too.

GUIDING "TETRIS" TIME MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

1. Expect interruptions!

2. Tolerate interruptions!

3. THINK SMALL! Fit small activities into small bits ofn timenn * Make that quick phone calln * Start a load of laundryn * Sort through the mailn * Unload the dishwashe
* Answer a quick emailn * Mow part of the yardn * . . . the list is endless

4. Remember that few things these days have a true deadlinen -mostly, they are things we just want to do or accomplish

5. Do not start big or long projects unless time is blockedn off

6. Guard your time & learn how to say "NO" when big or longn projects near a deadlinenn * Make a "crunch time" listn * Say, "I'm sorry I can't do that, I promised myself
I'd get this done"n * Enlist the help of friends/spouse to guard your timen * Prep your children in advancen * Close a door, and display a "Do not disturb" signn * Plan breaks & connect with the family - knowing thatn you will spend time with them in 2 or 4 hours, theyn won't feel neglected and won't interrupt as much

7. Mentally adopt the belief that there will always ben things to do and get done - the tasks will never be gone!nn * If you die today, someone else will do what isn necessary!
* If you die today, some stuff won't get done becausen it wasn't important to anyone but you!

Best wishes towards your wise use of time!

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A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
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Title: PLAYING TETRIS WITH TIME MANAGEMENT
Author: Dave & Christine Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.comncopyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.comnWord Count: 549
Category: Success