Comments on: Being mindful of the minutes https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/ Writer, Author, Speaker Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:15:53 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23280 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:15:53 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23280 In reply to Mario Gomez.

@Mario- Thanks for your comment! Yes, it really does make you mindful of how you’re spending your time, and just as logging my food makes me ashamed of eating 6 (six!) cookies, logging my time makes me want to spend it better. For what it’s worth, it is very easy to watch too much TV. It happens to a lot of us, so while it’s a problem, it’s a common one.

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23279 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:11:31 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23279 In reply to nicoleandmaggie.

@N&M- I’ve really got to work on this with my son (who I don’t think is much younger than yours). The 3-year-old actually likes doing chores and “helping” with stuff, though this is sometimes a mixed blessing if you’re trying to get something done quickly.

]]> By: nicoleandmaggie https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23278 Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:00:39 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23278 In reply to Laura.

@Cloud: My son does a lot with the laundry– he can fold it (not well, but who cares) and put it away and since we have front loaders he can even load or change loads (but only because we have front-loaders). He’s also in charge of the silverware (except knives) with the dishes.

]]> By: Mario Gomez https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23277 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:49:54 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23277 I actually enjoyed keeping track of my 168 hours, until I realized even though I thought I cut down on TV watching time, I still spent a lot more time watching TV than exercising, hanging with my son, entertainnig my passions (writing, sports). I only went through about 1/2 of my week because I started noticing certain patterns (eat dinner in front of tv, spend way too much time driving/running errands etc) and it really makes you think twice about how you spend your time. I am currently in between jobs and what your book is really making me think twice about is career choices, personal interests and how these can go coexist. I will continue to read and finish the 168 hours book and look forward to reading more. I have 100 ideas as to what to do with my life next, but how do you choose or at least cut the selection down? Hmm…time to start thinking.

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23276 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:08:59 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23276 In reply to Cloud.

@Cloud – curious on the laundry and the dishes. Maybe the cleaning service and can do some loads of laundry? I guess we just don’t cook much…cuts down on dishes!

]]> By: Cloud https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23275 Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:36:01 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23275 In reply to Carrie.

The thing is, I thought I was outsourcing/minimizing a lot of chores. And then I saw the hours I spent on chores each week and was shocked. I’ve been thinking about how to outsource more chores ever since…. And these are non-kid chores, like laundry and dishes and the like.

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23274 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:35:15 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23274 In reply to Carrie.

@Carrie- I hate emptying the dishwasher. Fortunately, I have timed it, and I know it takes 5-7 minutes. Somehow knowing it’s only a 5 minute task makes me dread it a lot less.

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23273 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:34:30 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23273 In reply to Carrie.

@Carrie- blogs are definitely a good break, and a good motivator. I should try to use them more explicitly as such. I’m actually pretty good at setting aside 8-11 or 9-11 as focused time for work on a project that requires focus. If I’m good about matching one such project with each day, it’s a good week. And then there are lots of holes for blog reading in the afternoon. But yes, the days I start with the blogs, it can be trouble.

]]> By: Carrie https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23272 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:30:35 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23272 In reply to Carrie.

ugh… Achilles’ heel.

]]> By: Carrie https://lauravanderkam.com/2013/02/mindful-minutes/#comment-23271 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:29:18 +0000 http://localhost:8888/?p=3181#comment-23271 In reply to Marcia Francois.

My Google RSS feed reader is also my Achille’s heel!! I have to set limits with myself. For instance, I only let myself read blogs when I’ve done most of the schoolwork with the kids (I homeschool), during quiet/nap time when I really need a break. I can NOT start my day with my RSS reader or I’ll get nothing done.

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