I like the 'plate' concept because it provides an excellent visualization, and because it addresses a key weakness in what is otherwise my favorite time management concept - the 'quadrant' system as made famous by Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.

In a nutshell, the 'quadrant' system means assigning every incoming task to one of 4 quadrants:

IMPORTANT AND URGENT. These things MUST be done, and must be done on a particular schedule or by a particular deadline.

IMPORTANT BUT NOT URGENT. These things MUST be done, but not necessarily by a particular time.

URGENT BUT NOT IMPORTANT. Things that would have to be done by a particular deadline, if they get done at all, but no big loss if they don't.

NOT IMPORTANT AND NOT URGENT. Things that would be nice to do but not critical, and don't have any particular deadline.

For me, I've found this to be the best method of deciding what needs to be done NOW.

Problem is, while the quadrant system is an excellent way to dig out of a hole in a crisis by prioritizing things, it also leads to a 'crisis mentality' where nothing ever actually gets done until it becomes a crisis because we're too focused on the IMPORTANT AND URGENT quadrant. (Haven't we all worked for, or had to deal with, organizations like that at one time or another?)

That's where I think the 'plate' visualization come in handy. It is helpful to realize that some things simply don't fit on the plate, regardless of what 'quadrant' they're in. I've seen too many burn themselves out by trying to be everything to everybody - It simply doesn't work that way.

AMEN - Heck, just think if poor Noah had a date deadline? SHEEZ! What a nightmare. It was a job he worked at steadily, faithfully, and diligently but still took that Sabbath day of rest, enjoyed his family, etc. He did not LIVE TO WORK but WORKED to live. There is a major difference.

I will get the HOPE LIST DONE and this year my resolutions are to do a few things I enjoy as I tend to always think "I'll do that soon as I get the work done." and reality is work is never ever ever done.

My wise neighbor told me once as I continually cleaned on my off work hours....."Honey, the last thing somebody is going to do is throw dirt on you." Meaning all my cleaning was wasting my life....there's always more dirt coming my way.

PLATES & HOPE is the way to go.

FIC I just wanted to stop by and personally thank you for this topic. I applied it in my life yesterday and I was able to increase my progress on a goal I set for myself "Stop procrasitinating" I actually got a lot accomplished today, and I blame it on this entry :) It gave me the boost I needed.

I do have one question/favor would it be okay if I copied this information you have given us into a blog I am going to write on my procrastination and my plan on conqureing it?

Thanks again, you have been a tremendous blessing without even realizing it! :D

Certainly! Just remember to send the royalty checks to my, ok. ROFLOL Seriously, I am very easily distracted and must be careful to constantly remind myself that NO is a complete answer and does not need qualified for anyone but me. There are lots of good things to do but I must choose what is good for me, my family, my goals, etc.

The plate thing came from a dear friend of mine who saw me driving myself to an early grave. She is a God send. Like I said, my way was always WHEN I GET THE WORK DONE THEN I WILL.... well, work is never done. This year's resolutions involved me making a rule that I WILL do something creative/fun each week and preferable 2-3x per week. It's helping me a lot.....I got myself a big ole box of 64 crayons and a coloring book. Just zone out and color ANYWAY I WANT. LOL

Thank you so much!! :) Hehehehe, I have a coloring book and crayons too, I have done some creative things like coloring with my eyes closed. or using completely opposite colors of the "normal" look. I did this to help with my "must be just right all the time" type of attitude. I realized you know what, its okay to color outside of the lines, and its okay to use your imagination. I and my inner child are having fun and growing! So it is so worth it :) I hope you continue to see a difference. :) Thank you once again :)

Searching - I would be willing to bet if we polled, the people with time mgmt trouble are most likely the 1st born in the family. Either the first born male or female. You would also need to count if your parents had miscarriages in the count to see where you line up.

ANYWAY, the ones I've spoke with are the 1ster and yes, we tend to be very perfectionist, goal oriented, follow ALL the rules exactly even if there's an easier way, etc.

Had to laugh as my hubby & I took a marriage personality test and I am gold/green which means I am as the above described. He is blue/orange which is fly by the seat of your pants, let's play & do that stuff later, easily distracted because of fun, etc. Once I realized God made him to keep me loosened up and God made me to keep him on track, the irritations weren't irritations but made sense. A God ordained balancing act. ROFLOL Or, God has humor. LOL

Yea, all work & no play makes Jack a dull boy. Remember that saying? And you know what, when I die, I don't want my kids to say, "She was always washing our clothes & cleaning." I want them to say, "I'm going to miss playing cards, coloring, baking cookies, laughing, etc. with her."

LIFE IS FOR LIVING NOT DOING! We are human BEINGS not human DOERS! Now, ain't that a magnet for your fridge? LOL

Hugs & keep the plates balanced, the hope list in progress and all the crayons sharpened for a moments notice! LOL

That is awesome! And as far as me being a first, that is really complicated, lol. by my father yes, by my biological mother no. By my adopted mother, yes, by my adopted father, yes. I was adopted at the age of 7. So I guess more yes's then no's means I am the first born? lol. *shrugs* I know that I am all those things, perfectionist, goal oriented, follows all the rules. ect.
However I am also prior Military, I was in the Army for 2 years. Had to get out because I broke my pelvic bone and it refuses to heal itself.
And yes God does seem to have a perfect way of putting things together or a serious dose of humor, maybe both. lol.
(Blush Blush) and if its okay with you, that phrase that you said should be a magnet, I was wondering if I could use it and put it under a magnet on my refrigerator? lol.

Well thanks again for all your insight. You are one beautiful soul I know that much!!! :D Have a blessed day! :d

That makes you a "first" because the genetics of your father. Amazing that I am a terror ready to fight the fight and my baby sister is meek & mild. Yep, we match the birth order thing well. She laughs and says "How come you got all the testosterone?" Well, I'm dad's (& mom's first born). It's due to the hormone thing not so much so the raising thing. My 2 children are adopted then we got a surprise and made 2 homemade. Go figure! Anyway. The 1st adopted is so laid back but he was not the hormonal 1st born. The 1st homemade is a perfectionist and typical 1st born. So, it's part raising, I suppose, but more hormonal I think.

Yes, do feel free to use it as a fridge magnet, dear. Just remember to quote me as fic1784@yahoo ROFLOL

Best wishes.

thanks :) and I appreciate the fact that you were open about adoption. Many people are against it as if it is not their responsibility, so for that I admire you.
Hehehehe, before its over with I will have so much info from you posted all over the place. lol
You are such a kind spirit, thank you so much for all your insight!! :)

Thanks, always try to help where I can. I always think it's hysterical for those who don't know that our first two kids are adopted and the last 2 are homemade, I hear "BOY! HE SURE LOOKS LIKE HIS DAD, DOESN'T HE?" I just smile and say, "I hear that a lot." Now, with the grandson, I hear the same thing. I think it's hysterical! However, think about this.....My oldest son (1st adopted) was talking about his son having curly hair, and I said well that comes from my side because we have curly hair. He looked at me as if I had 3 heads and said "MOM, we are NOT genetically related." I keep forgetting that. I just smiled and said, "Oh yeah, but aren't you glad I think of you as my son and not as my adopted son? To me you are my son period." ROFLOL I did the same thing when he was a baby and the pediatrician asked if such & such ran in the family.....I sat there forever going back over my parents, grandparents, etc. then I realized DUH, I don't know as he's adopted. ROFLOL That's why I've always gotten fighting mad when someone referred to my last two as my real children. I told them they are all real. They all eat, poop, pee, and get sick. I also got mad when the dr who knew we had adopted 2 kids and homemade 2 asked me about my 1st son and I replied "Well, when I was expecting him......" and he stopped me. He said "You adopted him but you said you were expecting him." I shot him a dirty look and said "WELL, I WAS STILL EXPECTING HIM TO BE BORN!" Moron expert..... ROFLOL God help anyone who goes up against any of my "real" kids. ROFLOL Love & hugs.

ha I COMPLETELY understand, with my son not even being the same color as me I hear it all. They call him a zebra because he is mixed, and they tell me I am trailer trash, lol, I live in a 3 bedroom HOUSE. LOL. They tell me its not my responsibility that I am living a fantasy world and he is not really my child. Pull out the court order papers and say well the courts say I am and they have jurisdiction over the situation.
people can be so mean, close-minded and racist. it just kills me. But I have to sit back and just laugh because I have joy and peace in my life, and if it was not meant to be for him to be in my life it would not have been. So I embrace every moment as if it is my last and enjoy every second and take none of it for granted. he is my son, today tomorrow always. He did not grow in my tummy but he grew in my heart. :) I am glad you understand that concept. Not many people do :)
and a side note everyone thinks he is mine even though he is mixed lol

Mixed? Honey girl, you make him sound like cake batter. LOL He is a magnificent creation created by an even more magnificent CREATOR. Never forget that and never let him forget it either.

We wanted to adopt bi-racial and in our area we were told "NO only white or Asian as the area wouldn't accept bi-racial." I thought, "They are kids who need love and that is stupid." My heart breaks for kids and I am blessed to have 4 and now that daughter is expecting, my mom is having fits and I said "Why be upset? It is what it is." I mean really, God has a plan for this child and I will be blessed because my quiver is full.....well, actually, maybe a little more than full. ROFLOL If I won the lottery (I don't even play) but I'd take in all the so-called "hard to place" because they are too "old" or "bi-racial" or whatever. I know my health wouldn't handle it but my heart would sure chomp at the bit.

I help with the teens and the 4-5 yr olds at church. It's tough due to my health but as long as God helps me, I'm there.

Hugs and kiss that little munchkin for me.

Thank you!!!! You made me giggle out loud!!! Gotta love the cake batter. LOL add a few eggs and he will be ready to go LOL!! I never thought about that till you mentioned it, thanks, wonder how many other people have wondered the same thing.
You are a blessing to me! Thank you so much. I am excited for the new grandchild! And yes God does have a devine plan for that child and for your daughter! :)
I appreciate the fact that you can look past color or race. Not many people can and I admire those that can :) We are all God's precious children. Regardless of color! Thank you for just afirming what I already know and beleive in. You are incredibly awesome! :)

Dang! Can I get that in a notarized statement or something to flash to my teenagers who think I'm not so with it? ROFLOL My mom refers to me as a "cock-eyed optimist" and I figure I could be worse. I mean, I really honestly have never understood hatred or bigotry. Now, not that I don't have standards and stand up for them but to hate someone because they are different than my color, my religion, my whatever? Nope, sorry, must be born in the wrong era I suppose. I figure if I can't get along with someone it should be for a good reason like they stole off of me......Forever your accepting "cock-eyed optimist" ROFLOL Hugs and do give your son (PS YOU DIDN'T GIVE HIS NAME) an extra squeeze for me and tell him it's from a nut that loves all colors and kids......Well, not the brats, I want them in time out. ROFLOL

hahahahaha my aunt is the person who notorizes stuff at court, lol, I really could get you a notorized copy lol. Too funny!! Anyways I am sorry I have not given his name, how rude of me! His name is Alexander, Alex for short. :) I gave him a hug from you. I showed him that you and I have been chatting back and forth. :) He said "I wike hers angel" (for your screen name picture) lol. I feel we need more "cock-eyed optimists" then. LOL! Because you are awesome! Now if only my parents had your views, hahahahaha. God is working on them too. But that is another story for another day. lol.
Sidenote: I read your journal entry about the furnace, that is when I definately realized the curage and the strong faith you have in the Lord. You remind me a lot of a woman version of Job. No matter what is getting tossed your way, your just like its okay. You are such an inspiration to me! :)