Getting it all done

"With all the projects you manage, besides being a mom, how do you control the traffic of demands on your time? How do you get it all done?"

I do get that question a lot. Truth is, I take it a day at a time and prioritize based on the needs of my focus audiences. I have good runs where I’m early to bed, early to rise, proactive and productive. I’m responsive to my team, I’m smiling, sharp and in complete control of my schedule. I meet the kids off the bus, serve a home-cooked meal to my family and surprise my husband with unscheduled date nights.

Then, there are those other runs where my schedule starts to control me and I consume comfort food, stop sleeping, get weeks behind on email, forget to turn off the bath water, mow over the phone, feed the kids cereal and sleep through date nights. One time I was in so over my head, pulled so many different directions that I actually left the house without my shirt on. I’m not lying. I did that. Left for work and completely forgot to put my shirt on. I remembered my coat. I just didn’t have a shirt on under it. I was at the office before I realized it.

So it’s all about moving back and forth between the two extremes for me and spending time on both sides to appreciate the place I’m supposed to be. When I start to have journal entries that look like this “Dear God. What does a nervous breakdown feel like? Because I’m sure I’m in one.” I know it’s time to make a change. My husband, my boss and my team jump in when they see the signs. They lift me up, extend me grace and focus me on the main thing during those crazy times to get me back to less clutter, less noise in my own life. And, during my controlled seasons, I try to do the same for them.

So, how do I get it all done? I don't.

Comments

[Joan Troyer]

Best idea ever for Moms in the workforce: Write only 6 most important things to get done at work each day! If you only get 3 done, the next day has 3 on the list ready - just add 3 more. I was about to say "just add water"! It's tea time!

[Lauren Hunter]

Kem, I often find myself in the same place you describe in your blog entry, "God, what does a nervouse breakdown feel like?" I just got off the phone with Kelley Hartnett, the communications gal at Morning Star Church (you're her idol). We were talking about "how to get it all done" and she told me about this post.

Whew! Good to know I'm not alone in that I don't get it all done. Fortunately, I work from home, so if I forget an integral piece of clothing, my kids and sitter are the only ones who would notice!

Blessings to you for admitting that you can't get it all done . . . neither can I!

[Abby Duffy]

Kem,
What always kills me is that I KNOW what throws me off, and I still choose to do it. Those are days when I try to make it out that I am a little like Paul in the Bible.. But let's face it, my best is sometimes significantly less than I would hope to have. Somedays this means closing the door on the overflowing bathtub and pretending not to see it.

[Heidi]

I thought I was the only one that had a wardrobe disaster, I left the house dressed up top in business suit and pajamas on the bottom. I blamed it on two things my teens, and these stupid grey little hairs on my blonde head :)!! But agree with you it's craziness.

[cynthia]

Kem,
I never come to your blog site because I read you on a feed - but this post was too good not to stop by and comment on. Hysterical.

One time I spoke through an entire church service in a denim dress that had all the hanging price tags still on it - dangling from the underarm.

I bet if you threw an invitation out to everyone you could probably compile a small book. Just an idea :-)

[Gina Witcher]

That is hysterical! What a great blog. I am a mother of 4 all between the ages of 2 & 6. My days usually feel like your description when every thing gets out of control I have just never left the house without my shirt on. When my life gets like that since I don't work out of the home, I can just take a nap with the kids and wake up and try again.

[Michelle Pratt]

Kem. I love this entry. I relate completely. The crazy days keep me humble. Too many of those fabulous, productive days in a row and I start to feel like I'm in control. That's less pretty than me on the chaotic days!