Jacqueline Wolven

5 Ways To Really Get Things Done

I see people struggling with to do overwhelm everyday online. The feeling of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. There is help, but you have to try these things to stop feeling that way.

Believe You Have Enough Time: This seems counter-intuitive, but the truth is we have enough time to do what we really want/need to do. If you spend all of your time whining about not having enough time then you have enough time to actually get something done.

Dump the Lingering Task: What we don't have time for is all the superfluous things that land in our lap. If there is something you really don't want to do then you aren't ever going to find time to do it. Figure out if it s a real thing or not. If it is a real thing, but you still aren't finding time for it; find someone else to do it for you even if you have to pay someone.

Master the Master List: You have to brain dump. There is no getting around this process. I like to keep a composition book that is just one big running list of stuff that I add to regularly. This is just every nagging thing that is running around in circles around my mind. If I don't put it down on paper it keeps me up at night, leaves me unfocused and stops me from actually doing anything. Get all of it out of you and on paper. Do this often.

Make a To Do List Every. Single. Day.: I know you don't want to. I don't want to. It seems like I can just wing it, but you know what, we can't. We need the focus and attention of the list because we are like crows going after the first shiny object. Write a short to do list either the night before or in the morning. Cross stuff off. It feels great.

Make an Action List: On that to do list that you are writing every single day make the items actionable. Don't write "shop"; instead write "go to the grocery store". Don't write "plan event"; write "write press release. If your list looks like a lot of places to go or things to do, but doesn't tell you what to do when you get there or start doing them you are typically overwhelmed by too big a task. "Plan event" is a huge list of to do's and only a few can be done at a time. Break them down on your messy master list and then start adding them with action items to your daily to do list.

Reason Number 42 for Moving to a Cottage in the Woods

When we were living in San Francisco I was easily working 60+ hours, commuting downtown, seeing my family in the evenings and on the weekends. The same story it is for so many, but we decided we wanted to live differently. We wanted to have a family. I wanted to have time to think and not stress. 

I have exactly that in our tiny cottage in the woods. The time that I have is balanced to be more sane. I work beacuse I love it and I take time with my family because it matters. I also dropped the commute, the clothes, the pressure to be a certain city way. I could breathe and relax. 

I relish the quiet. Often, like this winter, I am trapped in my home for weeks on end unable to get out due to ice, snow or water over the low water bridge so I better like the quiet.

I grew up in a stressful house and crafting a life that has less of that is healthier for my mind and body. I almost never get sick, I have almost zero wrinkles, and I sleep as if in a tomb - fully rested upon awakening.

When I complain of my stress free life; kick me. I forget sometimes how fortunate I am to have crafted exactly the life I wanted. Silly me.

A Quiet Start to 2014

Some years start with a bang and a rush to get things started, but this year, for me, has started quieter and with more thoughtfulness. Not a bad thing, just different.

I am participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word again this year (last year my word was Focus) and my word is True. After playing around with a host of words (hustle, sexy, desire, quest, bloom, etc.) I decided that what I really wanted was to find my true center, seek my true north, and above all be true to myself. You will see more about this process on the blog.

I am kicking off the year by doing a 30 Day Challenge of sitting every day. Anywhere from 10 - 45 minutes of meditation. No excuses, butt on the cushion. I'll be photographing that and posting my view from the meditation cushion on Instagram with #30DayChallenge. You can join our free Facebook group to do your OWN 30 Day Challenge. Just message me and I'll hook you up.

I am also doing a fun photo project that my friend and fellow NWARK blogger, Jody put forward. Just a way to ease into the new year and be a bit more intentional. These are posted on Instagram too with #AllThingsNew14

Other changes that we have planned as a family is a year of home improvement and intential projects. We live in a tiny house that is over 125 years old and needs some tender loving care. Each month there will be a different focus. This month we are planning out our garden. It's cold with intermittent snow/ice and so this seemed like a nice bright project for cold winter nights. Next month we are removing 100 things from the house or property. I will document this #tinyhouse on Instagram, Twitter and here on the blog.

I am working on two books; one a children's series for littles and one a personal/professional development book. I enrolled in a January workshop at the Village Writing School to get a jump start on tackling the blank page.

There will be many more challenges, projects and plans for 2014, but for now I am content to be starting off slowly and true to my spirit. Happy new year to you and yours!

Truly,  Jacqueline