I have mentioned before that finding time to do things when having children takes lots of organization and discipline, something which doesn’t come naturally for me. My inclination is to sort of take each day as it comes and not have a grand plan. I am not irresponsible, just a little on the relaxed side when it comes to planning.
But. I have learned that with trying to balance life as a pastor’s wife, three kids, homeschooling two of them, and trying to run a decent household and still have time for ministry and seeing friends, planning is necessary. I have become a much better planner the last few years and it really has made day-to-day life run more smoothly.
When I was recently asked to review Money Saving Mom’s new e-book “21 Days to a More Disciplined Life,” I was very excited. Crystal is a blogger that is very disciplined, yet still down-to-earth.
Her e-book is very readable: very short, digestible chapters. It is designed to read one chapter a day for, you guessed it, 21 days! Each chapter also has a few “action steps” to take in order to start implementing discipline even while reading the book.
I can’t wait to do what Crystal calls a “mega project,” in which you choose something that you’ve wanted to accomplish and divide it into 21 short tasks, in order to finish it in the course of reading the book. However, I don’t think 8 months pregnant is a great time to start anything called “mega!”
The greatest tip I gleaned from the book so far is to install an add-on to your computer called LeechBlock. (you have to have FireFox browser to do this) Basically, you set boundaries for websites that you find continually pulling you away from other important tasks. For me, I set LeechBlock to cut off my Facebook and Twitter after 20 minutes every 12 hours. You can always change it, but the point is to limit yourself on “time-leeching” websites. I am excited to see how it boosts my productivity!
Does this e-book sound like something that would help you?
About Kelli Hays
I really have a hard time being consistent with my time with God. Hate to admit it, but sometimes it’s just easier to mark it off the giant to do list, than actually doing it!
Whew! And I thought I wouldn’t make it for the first five! I actually had to download Google Chrome just so I could comment 😉 (I’ve really been putting it off way too long anyway…) Anyway, I love Crystal Paine, and her new book looks like EXACTLY what I need! I just wish it wouldn’t be so hard to discipline myself! Wait… I guess that’s kind of the meaning of “discipline”– I mean, if it came naturally, we wouldn’t have to train ourselves to do it! 🙂
Just found your blog actually through Juggling Act Mama– she invited me to link one of my posts to the Pumpkin Patch Hop! I, too, am a pastor’s wife, and stay-at-home mom of three littles, with two who are starting homeschool this year! So I am thrilled to have found you! 🙂 Now following you through GFC!
BTW, my email is kesiegwart@gmail.com (in case it doesn’t show up through my Blogger ID). Thanks again for the ebook offer!
Wow Kathryn, it seems we have a LOT in common! And congrats on winning one of the books! I will contact you today with the code! 🙂
I would love to read 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life! I always need help in this dept. Thanks!
Great! you are #3! 🙂 Will e-mail you shortly.
#2! I am e-mailing you shortly! 🙂
I struggle with keeping the house clean. The “public” areas of the home are easier, but the personal bathrooms get neglected and I don’t have a system to stay on top of it!
With a 1 year old, grad school and a military husband, I am always looking for ways to have a more organized and disciplined life. I often short change my prayer life, so this is where I would like to improve!
My comment seems to have disappeared. Anyway, I struggle with keeping the house clean. The “public” areas are easier, but the personal bathrooms get neglected and I don’t have a system to keep them up!
Well, I would definitely love to read this – and I’ll be trying out leechblock for sure!
Books claimed yet!? Please email me hersoutherncharm@gmail.com thanks!
You are #4! 🙂 yes, I struggle with this too. They are yuck right now!
Books claimed yet!? Please email me hersoutherncharm@gmail.com thanks!
You are #5! And what a great area to improve in, I know I can always use the help! 🙂