Time Management

Since starting back with teaching this fall, and the kids in two new schools, I’ve had to get used to a few new schedules.  I teach at the high school every day in the mornings and then also Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Temple University.  After 4pm I like to block off for kid-stuff – shuttling them around and generally being with them.  Sometimes I have that time for myself  if the kids are busy, but generally my days are pretty scheduled.

I start each day around 5:30 with a run or a yoga session, so I’m in bed by 10:30 at the latest.

Here’s the interesting part: my writing efficiency has improved markedly.

Last year I used to regularly have three or four hours at a stretch in which I could write some fiction or other things.  Those long blocks of uninterrupted time are a thing of the past.  Now, if I find myself with a spare ninety minutes, I feel grateful.  And whereas in the past I would fritter away half the spare time on email, or facebook or some useless game, I can now be productive for almost all of those gifted ninety minutes.  My thought process is that I can never tell when I’ll get that time again – I had better use it while I have it.

Am I working hard? Absolutely.  But I’m happier than I’ve been in quite a while, and I also feel so much more productive in almost every area of my life than I used to when I didn’t work outside the home.

Please don’t get me wrong: working is not the be-all and end-all for every woman out there, and I have my share of crappy days, but it really is good for me – the whole thing is improving my outlook on life.

And now, if you’ll pardon me, I have to go make the most of my evening time – a small girl on my couch would like a snuggle.  I’m almost never to busy for that request.