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August 4, 2011
The Over-Scheduled Woman
 “Much like overstuffed closets, women's schedules are full of activities that no longer fit,” says Elizabeth Saunders, founder of ScheduleMakeover.com. Seems most of us are trying to do it all, and overextending ourselves can lead to burnout, stress or giving less than our best.
“The root cause of most guilt, frustration, and being overwhelmed is unrealistic expectations of ourselves,” says Saunders. She adds that we hold onto our schedules for the same reasons we keep uncomfortably tight jeans – feelings of guilt.
While multitasking is essential in today’s work environment, studies show it takes up to one-third more time than doing tasks individually.
How to make your schedule fit your life?
Experts say to start by creating a master schedule with a list of all time-consuming activities you complete in a week. Others remind women to prioritize where their energy is best suited on any given day and allow ourselves to decline offers or requests to help out with extra tasks at work.
If it’s your to-do list that needs a re-haul, Unclutterer suggests being realistic, making scheduled tasks with deadlines a higher priority and reviewing often to make necessary changes.
The New York Times looks at the use of technology to better balance schedules. Smartphone apps like Bento and computer programs like Day-Timer, an electronic daily planner, can help manage your to-do list.
Bonus PINK Link: Find out how the CIO of a billion-dollar healthcare company manages her time effectively in our online exclusive.
By Brittani Banks
"All great achievements require time." Maya Angelou
*Supporting images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net, twobee, SweetCrisis and SweetCrisis.
 
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Comments
Time Management
What works for me in terms of Time management is using ONE CALENDAR. I put everything for my job (meetings, projects and due dates), personal life (doctor appointments, hair and nail appointments, vacations), as well as my husbands travel schedule and major meetings on one calendar. That way when something comes up (dinner party, concert, meeting out of town, etc.) I only have to look in one place - and not have to call my husband - to see if I can add it to my calendar or if I have to move something else around.
I use an 8.5 x 11 month view so that i have room to write everything down. It's also big enough to hold papers that i need to refer back to when a meeting comes up. The front of the calendar is for personal things (recipies i have found that i want to try - I rip pages i want to keep from magazines, and forms to fill out and return) and the back is for work (meeting agendas, travel information, etc.). In the note section in the back, i keep a list of all of the movies, books i want to get/watch, and on going lists for what to by so-and-so for bdays and Christmas. It's big, but not bulky. All i have to do when i leave for the day is pop it in my bag and i'm ready to go.
It's not fool proof, but it's the best system we've found that works for us. I've used complicated systems and multiple calendars, but having everything in one place is best for me.
Routines Lead to Balance
I've found through working with time coaching clients around the world that developing and practicing custom routines are the key to getting--and staying--balanced.
Life is so busy that we need to develop habits (with lots of accountability and encouragement) that allow us to consistently do what's most important to us and to regularly evaluate if anything needs to go.
To your brilliance!
Your time coach,
Elizabeth Grace Saunders
www.ScheduleMakeover.com