Looking at things differently

So many of us get into a routine, and it doesn’t matter what happens, the routine is something that we stick to. Lately, I have been looking at my routine and trying to see if I can start to change things up a bit and do things a little differently. Sure, there are the things that I need to do and then there are the things that I would like to do and enjoy doing. So perhaps I can do better.

In some cases, a routine can result in your getting stuck in a rut and no matter what you try and do, things just don't seem to change. Of course, realizing that you are stuck in a rut, isn’t something that is going to be easy to realize. The rut can be a result of things happening around you that you don’t have any control over, but there are times that the things that are happening are because of something that you do.

Something that we all need to do from time to time is look at how we are doing things and why we are doing things and see if we can change it up. The other thing to look at is what we are doing. Yes, what we are doing and how long are we doing a specific thing can help shed light on a lot of things. If a task is taking you forever to complete, maybe, it’s time to look at the task and see why it seems so hard. Being able to look at the various tasks and figure them out is always a good idea because then you might be able to change up how you are doing that specific task.

Another way to look at things differently is to take a bit of a break and then look at the things you have been doing in the past. Yes, a break can be a day or two away from the standard routine and then when you get back to it, you may see things that you have been doing and don’t know why you have been doing them. Sometimes those things are tasks that have just become habit without any meaning behind them.

The idea of looking at things differently can seem like such a difficult thing to do, but it can help you regain a focus that has gone missing. Instead of just doing things because you have been doing them and figuring out the importance of those tasks can help a lot. Recently, I was looking at my list of things that I wanted to do and couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t moving things forward. Well, what I realized was I wasn’t moving things forward because I didn’t have some goals for these items.

So, looking at things differently can make a difference, and just giving yourself time to look at things can make a difference. For me, I have started to give myself small goals that I want to achieve, and I am feeling better about things now. Yes, I had to take that break away from my standard routine before I realized that I was just doing things a specific way and got myself into a rote that I didn’t see.

I am now looking at things differently, and I am happier with what I am working on and how I am working on things. Things seem a little clearer now, and I can focus on things that for a while, I couldn’t, and it is making me happy with the progress that I am seeing on things. So, remember it’s important to look at what you are doing and why you are doing things and maybe a bit of a change can make a big difference.

Stepping back and rethinking

There comes a time when you need to step back and rethink all your different priorities. This has happened to me, and I have had to rethink some of my goals as well as my priorities. I was one of those people that had to please everyone in the past, and I didn't care if I was happy or not. Doing this causes a lot of problems because you don't really feel happy when you are doing some of the things you have agreed to do.

Being able to rethink your goals is a project because you have to think of why you are aiming for that specific goal, was it to please someone else or to please yourself. It does take some time because it can also mean redoing the goal so that it is more for pleasing yourself. Some goals just get deleted because when you realize you aren't going to achieve it and be even a bit happy, there is no point in doing it.

I was one of those people that had to please everyone, and I would forget about pleasing me. I came to realize that there are some people that no matter what you do you will never please them, so why try. This step was a huge thing for me to realize, and since doing that I have felt better and have given up trying to please these people.

I now have goals that are for me and help me be happy. I am not saying that you put yourself first all the time, I am saying you need to remember to do things that please you as part of your life. How you feel is very important because if you aren't happy, you can't really make others happy, or at least the people that count.

Busy time of year

For most people, this is a busy time of year.  Besides balancing the normal daily routine, there are so many other demands on our time.  Besides the extra demands on our time, there are all the different family commitments that go along with this time of year.

How do we juggle all the extra demands on our time when we are busy enough normally?  Well, it comes down to setting priorities and sticking to these priorities.  I know that I have lots of demands on my time at this time of year, but I figure out what needs to get done and what can wait until after New Years.  I may not always be able to keep the items that can wait off my mind, but at least I am able to remember they aren't urgent right now.

Over the last few days, I have figured out what I can set aside and what still needs to get done.  It's amazing when you realize that there are tons of things on your to-do-list, but so many of these items can be put on hold for a couple of weeks.  Of course, putting the items on hold means that they are going to be there in the new year, but at least for now they become a little less important.

Of course, there are still the family and friend commitments that are on the list for the next couple of weeks, but at least knowing what needs to be done and what can wait is a start.

So remember, go over that to-do-list and see what can wait and what needs to get done.  The goal over the next couple of weeks to try and relax a bit and not be stressed out about the items that remain on the to-do-list.  Now take some time to relax and enjoy being with the people you care about.

Setting Priorities

Lately, things seem to have been a little busier than they have been for me, but I am getting so much better at setting priorities and then working through things.  Knowing how to set the priorities and focusing on one thing at a time does really help.

Some of my goals for this year have been getting worked on, while some of the other goals have been ignored as I try and get work done first.  I am learning to ensure that I do take some time for myself because I have realized that if I don't take time for myself, I am not able to focus on the tasks at hand.

Everyone needs to take time for themselves from time to time to ensure that they can recharge their personal battery.  Sometimes a break away from the many projects on your plate can really help you refocus on the multiple projects and get the work done on all of them.  A break can be a day to yourself where you do something for yourself, or it can be as simple as just curling up and doing nothing.

Remember, set priorities and ensure you focus on what is important first to ensure that everything gets done, and you don't end up just spinning your wheels and accomplishing nothing.

Setting priorities

This last weekend, I thought that I was going to recharge my brain, but must admit that it didn't happen as planned.  I know part of that is my own fault because I didn't set the recharge as a priority for myself.

I am one of those that tries to make sure that everything is done that involves others, but I forget that I need to focus on myself sometimes to get that recharge that everyone needs.  It's been a challenge for me to remember that I need to put myself first sometimes, and I am slowing learning that if I want to have the energy to do everything else I need to put myself first, so I can recharge.

The goal over the next few days is to try and focus some time on things that I want to do for myself and make sure that I take those times as I know it will help me in the long run.  I am putting this in writing so that I make sure that I do it and over the next three days which includes today I am setting aside 3 hours each day to do things for me.  Now, to make sure that I really do this, I am going to set appointments with myself to ensure that I remember to take this time.

The me time is going to be set aside to try and write a bit more than I have done lately, or even to read or to do anything that is just for me. Appointments have been set until Friday of this week, so will see how it goes and will post an update after this week is up.