30 Day Challenge - Be more organised/productive

[True Believer]

I have decided my 30 day challenge is to become more organised and stop wasting time doing nothing on the computer and watching television programmes that I am not even that bothered about. There are only a few shows I'm interested in and they are not on until the evening.

How I am going to do this is by spending at least an hour a day working on an activity when I arrive home from work. This can be: sorting finances out, reading, writing a short story, sorting my house out, creating vision boards, contacting friends/family, exercising and other things I can think of.

I am going to write a list of all things that need to be done in my life and will then use my list writing idea (see here) to put it into a 30 day challenge.

Hopefully by the end of this challenge I will have achieved loads, watched less television and spent less time doing nothing on the computer, thus making me more organised and productive.

Day 1 - I have decided to sort my finances out (so I know what days things come out, change some direct debits and create a folder of all my bills).

I will report back each day.

[Andy7]

Good luck!

[True Believer]

Thanks Andy7, your support is much appreciated.

Update from Day 1.

I got home from work and didn't put the computer or tv on which I usually do immediately. I put 2 potatoes in the oven (which would be my lunch for the next 2 days), grated the cheese (which I usually do in the morning). Washed the dishes and put a wash on.

Then tried to tackle the finances. I managed to get some sorted out but I didn't account for been on the phone for nearly an hour to the energy company. This is going to take more time but I am happy I have got the ball rolling.

Had my dinner and read a chapter of a book before turning the computer on at 9pm. This was to do work as well as have a mess around. Watched 1hr of tv.

Day 1 conclusion - I am very happy with how the evening went. I didn't miss the tv or computer and was happy to have achieved so much.

Will report back on Day 2 - have not decided how I will yet spend the time.

[True Believer]

Update from Day 2.

I got home from work, washed the dishes and then spent almost 2hrs in the garden chopping down branches. I have not touched my garden in over a year so it was very overgrown, resembling a jungle. Very proud and aching!

I then spent half an hour reading my book before making my dinner from scratch, something I used to do a lot when I was with my partner but not as much now single.

Watched an hour of television and spent a bit of time on the internet before reading some more on bed.

I woke up earlier this morning feeling very productive and happy and not tired. I walked to work (takes 40mins) and have got all my tasks out of the way.

Day 2 conclusion - this is going better than expected. Looking forard to seeing how the next few days unfold.

[pauldickinson]

Great idea! I had a similar revelation a while ago, and I do think if you keep at it the effects will snowball. I started writing a blog about productivity because of the affect it had on me. There are definitely some great posts that Steve has written that will get you on your way and help you organise yourself better!

[Lohengrin]

Your doing a wise choice buddy, i tell you by the end of a producitve day having done alot of things and being organiszed, its bliss i tell you. I ought to do the same im a bit less sharp on it then i used to be, anyway what helps for me is to write in my journal like on a sunday what i am going to do this coming week. Also i can break it down to write the night before my next day, to plan and have list of what i want to do.

Also having a weekend timeplan can help alot, but it doesent fit with my current lifestyle to i rather make use of it when i am not on any tracks, than follow it.

[True Believer]

Thanks Lohengrin and pauldickinson for your advice and support, I will definitely look into having a journal once I get past the 1st week.

Update from Day 3.

Usually Friday nights I go home, watch tv and go on the internet for a bit before rushing to get ready before going out to meet friends. Getting nothing else done.

Last night I got home from work, tidied the kitchen, sorted out some bills I had been meaning to do for sometime. I then spent the next half hour listening to one of my meditation cds and then another half hour reading my book.

I had my dinner then got ready to go out ensuring I would be ready to catch the bus as I usually am rushing and have to get a taxi costing me more money.

Conclusion - still going well and it is making me happier.

[True Believer]

Update from Day 4 & 5

Day 4
Hi everyone, still going strong with this. I thought the weekend I would falter and I did a bit on Saturday (think I was a tad hungover) but I managed to shake it and catch up with some friends in the afternoon. Saturday night I spent reading and entering competitions (one of my hobbies) before having a pretty early night for me. I was proud that I didn't feel like I had to go out just for the sake of it.

Day 5
Woke up feeling positive. Met my friend in the afternoon to go to a 'positive thinking course' next session next week. The session was fantastic and I left on a complete high, I can't wait until next week. I then caught up with friends and they noticed a difference in me.

Conclusion - still going well and I'm hoping this week will be better with even less tv time, going to incorporate more exercise this week.

[True Believer]

Update from Day 6:

I had told my cousin that I would go visit her and her family on Monday evening, usually I don't tend to make plans on a Monday as I am so tired from the weekend. I got a bus part way to her house then walked the remainder of the way as the sun was out and I was feeling positive. Still feeiling the affects of the session I went on.

I spent a lovely time catching up with her and her children (over 2hrs). When it was time to leave I decided I would walk half way again, I took a detour to get some necessities from the supermarket adding walking time.

I arrived home and only watched 1hr of television (Lost - still hooked) and 1hr on the internet entering competitions (one my hobbies).

Conclusion - This is going better than I thought. Tonight I am going to a free meditation workshop so again I will be out of the house and doing something positive.

[True Believer]

Update from day 7:

I hope I'm not boring too many people, I just find it helps to write down what I am achieving, something to look back at as proof!

I has told my friend who I went to the Positive Thinking course with that I would attend an introduction to meditation free workshop, this was to start at 7.30pm which would give me enough time to go home, eat and then get there. The place was packed ready for the Australian guest speaker, who has such a wonderful voice. We all meditated in a room for 25mins at one point which was wonderful, something I didn't think I could do as a beginner. I have now signed up to do a free foundation meditation course at the Brahma Kumaris centre (check it out, there may be one near you).

Conclusion: This is still going strong, I am finding myself doing more things so I don't watch tv, which has in turn opened more doors up for me. Although tonight I am going to take a break as I gave blood today so have been told to rest. That doesn't mean all tv though - I will read and just relax.

[True Believer]

Update Day 8: I had to walk home from work as the bus didn't come so that was almost 40mins exercise. When I got home I was drained after giving blood so I just made tea, washed up and then read a book. I watched a couple of hours of tv. So not as productive but the tv didn't go on until late.

Conclusion - still going well, looking forward to carrying it on.

[True Believer]

Update Day 9: I felt completely drained yesterday, I'm not sure if it was the 4hr meeting I was in or from giving blood the previous day but my body really wasn't working with me. I got home from work and spent some time on the computer before watching the tv for a football match (my team lost). I then read my book for an hour and also listened to an audio on meditation.

Conclusion: This has been the worst day so far but I still felt positive all day, I think it was just because I was tired. Going to start incorporating going on my lateral thigh trainer every day for 20mins. Looking forward to this.

Will keep everyone posted.

[True Believer]

Update Day 10 & 11.

Day 10 - I got home from work and went out for tea with my friend before getting ready and going out to a party. This meant that no tv or internet was used this evening.

Day 11 - Feeling a little tender from the night before, I had to attend the 2nd session of the positive thinking course. I was tired during but it was still a very valuable session and has made me rethink things, I'm going to definitely put what I have learnt into practice. After the session we decided to walk (my friend to work and me home) It took just under 3hrs and although tiring I felt fantastic for it. By the time I got home I just watched tv and rested my bones.

Conclusion - Both good days with me doing things that I wouldn't normally. I got my lateral thight trainer out only to find that it has broken (lack of use has stiffened it).

[True Believer]

Update Day 12 & 13:

Day 12 - I spent the morning tidying my house, putting a wash on - all those type of must do chores. I went out early afternoon to catch up with some friends who are on the same wave length as me which was nice. No TV and very limited internet usage.

Day 13 - Back to work. Was very tired today due to having a late night but managed to get through a bit of work and stayed late. I attended a meditation class in the evening which was fantastic and has left me feeling great. Just got in now so going to spend an hour on the net then watch the Lost finale!!

Conclusion - This is going great and I have already made plans to do other things throughout the week which I wouldn't normally do. I can see this lasting longer than the 30 days. Although I'll only report on my challenge - don't want to bore folk!

[True Believer]

Update Day 14 - 2 weeks down!!

I can't believe 2 weeks has gone so quickly. Yesterday I met up with a friend who I had promised for ages I'd meet but never did. It was really nice to chat. Got home and spent productive time on the internet working on a website I have (reviewing/photographin gigs-festivals). I only watched 30mins of tv.

Today I am going to a cheerleading class as a way to keep fit and as something fun to do.

Conclusion - I have noticed it is going well and I am doing more things. Next week I want to focus more on getting my house sorted and decluttered.

[True Believer]

Update Day 15: Ouch!!! Cheerleading class was fun but boy am I in pain. I didn't watch any tv last night and worked more on my website.

The next few days are going to be busy ones with things for my website which is brilliant.

Conclusion - still going well. From next week I hope to get more things sorted with my house.