[JimD]

Thanks to all for the replies you have given me food for thought.

YazKman,

after doing software dev all day at my job I have to really push myself to actually start working

I definitely understand that feeling. I'm in Tech Support for a TV Station and most of my night is spent verifying that our databases are updating correctly or dealing with server issues.

I like the way you combine activities. I need to do more of that. Getting into the habit of multi-tasking could free some additional time for my projects. Actually several of them could be sketched out or other tasks taken care of without going near the computer. Paper and pencil are still viable tools .

Thanks for the links to the articles. I'll definitely take a look at them and post some feedback.

cdn2wheeler,

You're right, we can't create any more time. All we have is all there is.

Remember, as well, that nothing is permanent. Your schedule is going to change as the kids get older, your shifts might change, your priorities will certainly change.

While it is true that nothing is permanent, it is highly unlikely that my schedule will change. Management knows they have a skilled, dependable, person on a shift that no one wants so they aren't very likely to allow me to move.

For good or bad my kids are older. Thing is, like many parents today, they appear to be homing pigeons instead of eagles. My son had been back home with the grandson for 5 years and the daughter has been back home with the granddaughter for 2 years.

Although this has caused quite a bit of disruption in my wife's and my life they are working at improving their lives as both have went back to school. Our son will finish up in late January and he already has several good job offers. Our daughter still has about 2 years before she'll finish up.

My priorities have definitely changed in the last couple of years. Creating an income independent of an employer and debt elimination are my number one and two priorities.

Steve,

Being organized and staying that way is a mindset... almost an addiction of sorts.

You're right and it's an addiction I need to develop. That is another thing that would help my productivity. Getting rid of a lot of the clutter the wife and I have allowed to accumulate in our environment.

I understand your view on the 40 hour job and can't say that I disagree totally. If I were 20 or 30 years younger or didn't have family responsibilities I might even consider some modified form of your view as an option. For example, some form of a part-time job, contract work, or consulting.

However at my age, I now qualify for a senior discount at some places, and with my wife of 39 years and two grandchildren I have to consider more than just my own feelings and welfare.

I've been reading, enjoying, and learning from your blog for sometime now and I'm going to go back over some of the articles you've written on productivity and getting things done. I'm also going to read your article on blogging as I feel that writing, hopefully, to help others is what I should be doing with my life.

Again, thanks for the replies. I read somewhere that no one has all of the answers, but everyone has something, a piece of the puzzle, that can help another to reach their full potential.