Another day, another check mark!
The pictures that have been leaning against the wall for the past year have finally made a final resting place. A little measuring, and then some more, a few nails and a hammer to finish the manual labour.
Looks fantastic!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Day 6 Operation: Productivity
Back on track.
I took the opportunity of a long weekend to get caught up on things I let slide. Not only was the commitment there, the desire to cross another thing off the list was overwhelming.
The challenges were great and kept pouring in: a family event, Human Planet documentary, warm weather and the potential to go bike riding. I knew I had to stay focused and stay the course in order to complete anything big on the list.
I tackled the spring cleaning of the closet. Not only was I able to reorganize my closet and remove all the clothes that I didn't wear anymore, I was able to tackle the dresser too. In doing both of these things, I was able to organize my seasonal items in there final resting place under my bed. I feel like I accomplished the most difficult task on the list and got a lot organized in my apartment.
As a bonus for this weekend. I decided to unveil the bike from the storage under the stairs. This meant pulling out everything to get at the bike. What I thought would take an hour was over in 20 minutes including everything being put back. The bike required some attention (pumping up the tires, a little cleaning and oiling the chain) but once complete, I set out on a two hour ride.
Today, I tackled the hemming of clothes. I decided to not include the ironing of clothes to this item as its something I always do just before I wear the clothes. Ironing ahead of time doesn't seem necessary. Hemming the clothes was preventing me from wearing the clothes, ironing the clothes was not.
I also had other things that I needed to tend to today. Birthday cards to pick up, a computer to backup, a license registration to update, and gas for the car. I feel like it's been a busy few days and yet I have felt so productive.
Let's keep the momentum going.
I took the opportunity of a long weekend to get caught up on things I let slide. Not only was the commitment there, the desire to cross another thing off the list was overwhelming.
The challenges were great and kept pouring in: a family event, Human Planet documentary, warm weather and the potential to go bike riding. I knew I had to stay focused and stay the course in order to complete anything big on the list.
I tackled the spring cleaning of the closet. Not only was I able to reorganize my closet and remove all the clothes that I didn't wear anymore, I was able to tackle the dresser too. In doing both of these things, I was able to organize my seasonal items in there final resting place under my bed. I feel like I accomplished the most difficult task on the list and got a lot organized in my apartment.
As a bonus for this weekend. I decided to unveil the bike from the storage under the stairs. This meant pulling out everything to get at the bike. What I thought would take an hour was over in 20 minutes including everything being put back. The bike required some attention (pumping up the tires, a little cleaning and oiling the chain) but once complete, I set out on a two hour ride.
Today, I tackled the hemming of clothes. I decided to not include the ironing of clothes to this item as its something I always do just before I wear the clothes. Ironing ahead of time doesn't seem necessary. Hemming the clothes was preventing me from wearing the clothes, ironing the clothes was not.
I also had other things that I needed to tend to today. Birthday cards to pick up, a computer to backup, a license registration to update, and gas for the car. I feel like it's been a busy few days and yet I have felt so productive.
Let's keep the momentum going.
Day 5 Operation: Productivity
It didn't happen!
I can't explain why it didn't happen. All I can say is that I wasn't in the mood. I had no desire or commitment knowing that the weekend was just ahead.
This only meant, that I had to commit during the weekend that I was suppose to enjoy.
It didn't look good!
I can't explain why it didn't happen. All I can say is that I wasn't in the mood. I had no desire or commitment knowing that the weekend was just ahead.
This only meant, that I had to commit during the weekend that I was suppose to enjoy.
It didn't look good!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Day 4 Operation: Productivity
Today, I underestimated one of my tasks.
With the sun finally out, I knew that today was the day to tackle the "spring cleaning of my car". I drove my car over to the self wash car wash (which is only a block away) and directly headed to the vacuums. Unfortunately, the vacuums sucked - and not literally! Although I was able to rid my car of most sand and salt from the long, dreaded winter, I'll have to book a future date with my car and house vacuum (it has better suction).
The best part of the car wash was blasting the crap out of my floor mats. Hooking those mats up on the wall and pressure washing the snot out of them was delightful! So easy and now, so clean!
After a brief stop at Canadian Tire, I was able to start cleaning the interior of the car. I wiped down everything possible in the car (the dashboard, the console, the steering column, the doors, etc). All tea spills have been cleaned and the dust has been abolished. It smells so clean!
As a side-note, I called this item "Spring cleaning" and not "detailing" for a reason. So, even though I still need to vacuum some ground-in salt, I'm checking this one as done. I'll leave the Armoral wipes on the counter to remind me that I still need to clean some things in the car though!
With the sun finally out, I knew that today was the day to tackle the "spring cleaning of my car". I drove my car over to the self wash car wash (which is only a block away) and directly headed to the vacuums. Unfortunately, the vacuums sucked - and not literally! Although I was able to rid my car of most sand and salt from the long, dreaded winter, I'll have to book a future date with my car and house vacuum (it has better suction).
The best part of the car wash was blasting the crap out of my floor mats. Hooking those mats up on the wall and pressure washing the snot out of them was delightful! So easy and now, so clean!
After a brief stop at Canadian Tire, I was able to start cleaning the interior of the car. I wiped down everything possible in the car (the dashboard, the console, the steering column, the doors, etc). All tea spills have been cleaned and the dust has been abolished. It smells so clean!
As a side-note, I called this item "Spring cleaning" and not "detailing" for a reason. So, even though I still need to vacuum some ground-in salt, I'm checking this one as done. I'll leave the Armoral wipes on the counter to remind me that I still need to clean some things in the car though!
A Challenging Circumstance
Some major challenges have arisen in this whole quest to be more productive. Things like a 52" television, Modern Family through Rogers on Demand, the end to Oprah's talk show, Hoarders, Two and a Half Men (that seems to be on every half hour from 4:00 pm to midnight), and the list goes on.
If you've ever seen my place, you'll understand that sitting on the couch only forces you to stare at a large television screen that's roughly six feet away from the only two seats in the venue. With nothing playing, the big black screen calls to you like it needs life, it needs colour and it needs your attention to feel useful and important.
To prevent myself from getting distracted, I've taken the liberty of posting small reminders on the front of the television. My mantra to complete this nine weekday challenge.
Now, every time I go to turn on the television, I'm faced with the harsh reality of what I should be doing instead of wasting mindless hours starring into nothing. Don't worry though, I've still set aside an hour a day to catch Oprah (I mean really - this is legendary that she's ending her talk show).
If you've ever seen my place, you'll understand that sitting on the couch only forces you to stare at a large television screen that's roughly six feet away from the only two seats in the venue. With nothing playing, the big black screen calls to you like it needs life, it needs colour and it needs your attention to feel useful and important.
To prevent myself from getting distracted, I've taken the liberty of posting small reminders on the front of the television. My mantra to complete this nine weekday challenge.
Now, every time I go to turn on the television, I'm faced with the harsh reality of what I should be doing instead of wasting mindless hours starring into nothing. Don't worry though, I've still set aside an hour a day to catch Oprah (I mean really - this is legendary that she's ending her talk show).
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Day 3: Operation Productivity
Well, Day 3 has come and gone! I finished another task. Income taxes have been mailed to the bookkeepers!
I also started working on shredding receipts. I may have a problem though - the shredder overheats after shedding so much. I'll have to tackle this bit by bit over the next few days. This might be quite the challenge to finish in the allotted time but I'm up for the challenge.
Also, I'm hoping some day soon that the sun will come out. All this rain makes it difficult to "spring clean" the car. Again, another challenge I'm up for!
Until Day 4, have a great night!
- b
I also started working on shredding receipts. I may have a problem though - the shredder overheats after shedding so much. I'll have to tackle this bit by bit over the next few days. This might be quite the challenge to finish in the allotted time but I'm up for the challenge.
Also, I'm hoping some day soon that the sun will come out. All this rain makes it difficult to "spring clean" the car. Again, another challenge I'm up for!
Until Day 4, have a great night!
- b
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 2 Operation: Productivity
I'd have to admit that today was not a truly productive day. I'm being honest!
I started tackling the space under my bed. I've taken the items out that I don't want under my bed and vacuumed the space. Since the vacuum was out, I continued throughout the apartment (not part of the list). Since I was doing that, I might as well tidy the living room and gather all the recycling in my apartment and get it ready to take out to the blue box (again - not part of the list). I did, however, work on three other items on the list.
So, I'm taking the item off the list even though I still need to depend on the "Spring Cleaning of the Closet" item to complete my work. Until then, I have a better sense of what I want to do with this space and what I want to store under there.
- b
I started tackling the space under my bed. I've taken the items out that I don't want under my bed and vacuumed the space. Since the vacuum was out, I continued throughout the apartment (not part of the list). Since I was doing that, I might as well tidy the living room and gather all the recycling in my apartment and get it ready to take out to the blue box (again - not part of the list). I did, however, work on three other items on the list.
So, I'm taking the item off the list even though I still need to depend on the "Spring Cleaning of the Closet" item to complete my work. Until then, I have a better sense of what I want to do with this space and what I want to store under there.
- b
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 1 Operation: Productivity
Well, the unfortunate thing is that Day One didn't start out so well. Somehow I slept wrong and kinked my neck in the process leaving me performing a 'Batman' routine throughout the apartment. Have no fear, this did not deter me from completing something on the list.
The resume has been updated and now speaks to my most recent work. Although this didn't take long, I tackled some other things that needed attention. I also started the process of one of the other things on my list.
To top off the day, I'm cooking dinner (chicken, potatoes and broccoli) which is something I tend to shy away from when I look at the overall picture. The process of cooking, the pile of dishes to do, and the cleaning of the kitchen all usually send me running. Not tonight!
Now, I just have to wait for the job of my dreams to come rolling down the pipeline.
- b
The resume has been updated and now speaks to my most recent work. Although this didn't take long, I tackled some other things that needed attention. I also started the process of one of the other things on my list.
To top off the day, I'm cooking dinner (chicken, potatoes and broccoli) which is something I tend to shy away from when I look at the overall picture. The process of cooking, the pile of dishes to do, and the cleaning of the kitchen all usually send me running. Not tonight!
Now, I just have to wait for the job of my dreams to come rolling down the pipeline.
- b
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Operation: Productivity
Recently laziness has overtaken my life. Yes, I have focussed most of my attention on work and left little energy to every part of my life outside of the 9-5 grind. The important thing to note is that it is no one's fault but my own. The obviously neglected - this blog!
So, considering I have two weeks off of work, I've decided to take matters into my own hands. Over the next two weeks there will be 9 weekdays (next Monday is part of the long weekend). Without any direction, these days could easily be filled with sleeping, watching TV and barely breathing. I want more from my days off and I want more from me.
To start, I came up with 9 things that I've been procrastinating on. Each day, I'm planning on completing one of these tasks in a plan called "Operation: Productivity". To view the list, there is a link on this page called "Operation: Productivity". Along with these tasks, I will be blogging when each one is complete.
So, create, commit and complete the list. That's the goal over 9 weekdays. I'll keep you posted on the progress.
- b
So, considering I have two weeks off of work, I've decided to take matters into my own hands. Over the next two weeks there will be 9 weekdays (next Monday is part of the long weekend). Without any direction, these days could easily be filled with sleeping, watching TV and barely breathing. I want more from my days off and I want more from me.
To start, I came up with 9 things that I've been procrastinating on. Each day, I'm planning on completing one of these tasks in a plan called "Operation: Productivity". To view the list, there is a link on this page called "Operation: Productivity". Along with these tasks, I will be blogging when each one is complete.
So, create, commit and complete the list. That's the goal over 9 weekdays. I'll keep you posted on the progress.
- b
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)