tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984689.post3510717407249537439..comments2023-05-22T05:09:46.453-07:00Comments on Puff Piece: from Point A to Point BDinahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623087223805813409noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984689.post-58469903551055100052008-03-25T00:13:00.000-07:002008-03-25T00:13:00.000-07:00I've been thinking about this for a couple days. ...I've been thinking about this for a couple days. Unfortunately, I've come up with nothing. I wake up before my alarm goes off nearly every morning - but I have no idea how to become productive. In fact, I don't think it has anything to do with being a morning person or a night person - but rather being somehow self-directed rather than self-possessed. I'm not really productive in the morning, afternoon, evening, late night - ever really. For me it's more like that old chestnut where I can move half-way to my goal. The next day, half-way, so-on and so-forth until I'm really, really close to where I think I could be, but there's still half-way to go. This can literally eat at me until I'm wide awake 5 minutes before the alarm goes off at 7:15 AM and I'm still in at 11:00 AM and thinking I should wake Erica up so we can go to brunch. However, I'm still there paralyzed by the fact that no matter what I do I'm only going to get half-way as far as I think I should. It's somewhat maddening. <BR/><BR/>So today I'm happy with the fact that I did 25 sit ups when I got up, happy that I installed SQL server today on a server I know I'm going to need later and happy that I upgraded my blog software. I'm still crushed with the thought that I could have done so much more or so much better. I know it's not rational - but now that it's 12:08 and I've officially done something productive for Tuesday (posted to puffpiece); I can be happy about that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984689.post-19811234953458387112008-03-22T13:12:00.000-07:002008-03-22T13:12:00.000-07:00I second alison - a good workout is the key to fee...I second alison - a good workout is the key to feeling fully tired at night. If you can make yourself crash out by 11 PM, you'll be more likely to wake up refreshed at 7 or 8. <BR/><BR/>Though I recognize the value of exercising first thing in the morning - I can't do it. First off, I have to be at work by 7 and any pre-7 AM activity is, in my mind, unholy.<BR/><BR/>I try to workout at lunch because:<BR/>a) it gives me more energy for the rest of the day and<BR/>b) it's more fun than doing that annoying accounting work.<BR/><BR/>Alison is also correct about getting to bed at the same time every night. Your body takes 21 days to build a habit. I have a rule that I have to turn off the computer at 11 PM no matter what. Sometimes I even set a timer - otherwise it's 1 AM by the time I even notice.<BR/><BR/>By the way, how IS the training going?- The M.A.D. Hapahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06440959525642214794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984689.post-63080490229334926792008-03-21T17:01:00.000-07:002008-03-21T17:01:00.000-07:00Hi, Doll--since I`ve "retired" I find I waste more...Hi, Doll--since I`ve "retired" I find I waste more time than ever, but my part-time antique "business" has made me use time better.<BR/> As far as the morning exercise routine goes, I find that going to a scheduled Class at a regular time in the morning is best. Some classes at 9:00 are better than others, but the routine is good. Also, you meet people who come all the time and that is encouraging. Don`t be so hard on yourself, Hon. You`re a dynamo!! Love, MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984689.post-18474176643748439562008-03-21T15:33:00.000-07:002008-03-21T15:33:00.000-07:00I am a morning person, but for me that means highl...I am a morning person, but for me that means highly responsive to sunlight, so in the winter up here I still find it hard to get up. What works for me is having a dawn simulator alarm. I set it to hit full intensity at 6:45, and while I occasionally snooze, I am almost always up, dressed, and out the door with the dog at 7:00. After our walk, it's food for the dog, food for me, shower, fix hair and make-up, leave. The dog bit definitely helps - he knows this is the routine, so as soon as I so much as twitch a toe in the morning, he is at my side, ready to go. Once I get outside, the fresh air really helps wake me up. <BR/><BR/>Also, I am pretty disciplined about getting to bed on time. I will occasionally stay up late on a work night for a concert or other special event, but only once every few months. I also keep a similar schedule all week long. I don't get up at 6:45 on the weekend (usually), but it is pretty much impossible for me to sleep in past 8:00, even if I've been up late. <BR/><BR/>If you are naturally nocturnal, you may not really need to become a morning person to accomplish the other changes. Some of these things go together: Exercising regularly rather than sporadically will give you more mental energy to tackle the annoying aspects of work (as long as you are also giving your body enough rest).Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09238074536344660683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984689.post-59102343026295816382008-03-21T12:16:00.000-07:002008-03-21T12:16:00.000-07:00I am not a morning person at all but as you know I...I am not a morning person at all but as you know I do accomplish a morning routine that has me at work by 9 a.m. and actually working shortly thereafter. Sometimes earlier, rarely later. My routine actually solidified around my dog and my commitment to her. She gets crazy without her walks and a crazy rottweiler is nobody's friend. So I set the alarm at 7 (or 6:30 if I have to be in at 8:30) I snooze for half an hour, I get up and walk the dog for a half an hour. I only don't do this if it's below zero. Then I feed the pets, take a shower and get ready for a half an hour. Then I go. The time I spend driving to work could be spent on a half hour workout. I would suggest scheduling morning meetings or phone calls to get you going. Videoconferences with employees count - if you do them daily at 9 a.m. you know everybody's up and working. Anyway, the key for me was making a commitment to someone other than myself, ie. my dog. The things I do for myself get blown off. The things I do for others - the dog, the meetings - I do. It's wrongheaded in a way but it works.<BR/>That's my secret. Good luck. It doesn't necessarily get easier - it's a daily discipline - but it's worth it to feel better about yourself and your day. love, amyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com