Comments on: Focus http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/ Color the Ordinary Tue, 22 May 2012 12:37:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Administrator http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-55046 Administrator Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:43:16 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-55046 Amy, it is comforting to know we're all struggling with the same issues. The internet is a double-edged sword. Inspiring but often times a complete time suck. I did pretty good today. I made a list this morning, only checked my e-mail five times (it's a start!) and actually finished a major task by the time the girls came home. I'm going to try and do better tomorrow! Amy, it is comforting to know we’re all struggling with the same issues. The internet is a double-edged sword. Inspiring but often times a complete time suck. I did pretty good today. I made a list this morning, only checked my e-mail five times (it’s a start!) and actually finished a major task by the time the girls came home. I’m going to try and do better tomorrow!

]]> By: Amy in MI http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-55044 Amy in MI Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:35:31 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-55044 All you ladies have made me feel so much better--I'm NOT the only one struggling so hard to stay focused--wow! I heard the "big rocks" story before and was trying to use it recently...until I forgot and got stuck in a sandstorm, naturally. The kitchen timer sounds like another good approach to use. Thank you to Kathy for bringing this up and to all the wonderful women adding to this forum--this was a much-needed boost! All you ladies have made me feel so much better–I’m NOT the only one struggling so hard to stay focused–wow! I heard the “big rocks” story before and was trying to use it recently…until I forgot and got stuck in a sandstorm, naturally. The kitchen timer sounds like another good approach to use. Thank you to Kathy for bringing this up and to all the wonderful women adding to this forum–this was a much-needed boost!

]]> By: Tammy http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54982 Tammy Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:43:11 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54982 The kitchen timer works for me. I time how long I will allow myself to stay online. Then I try to stick to it. Sometimes I divide my day into hours: 1 hour sewing; 1 hour cleaning; etc.... But really, the internet is usually what sucks away my time. The kitchen timer works for me. I time how long I will allow myself to stay online. Then I try to stick to it. Sometimes I divide my day into hours: 1 hour sewing; 1 hour cleaning; etc…. But really, the internet is usually what sucks away my time.

]]> By: Regina http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54824 Regina Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:57:48 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54824 I have been trying to keep the computer off until noon(except for today-he he). I get a lot more done in the morning if it is off. I've only been doing this for just about 2 weeks, but I think it has helped a lot. Since doing this, I have started walking in the morning, and getting some solid play time in with my little guy. It's been great. Nap time comes around and I can check emails and finish up projects. I only give myself until 5pm when it's time to make dinner. Having a more limited time to work, gets me more motivated to focus and get things done. I love this post. This focusing and balance thing has been weighing heavy on me too. I really enjoyed the links. Thank you I have been trying to keep the computer off until noon(except for today-he he). I get a lot more done in the morning if it is off. I’ve only been doing this for just about 2 weeks, but I think it has helped a lot. Since doing this, I have started walking in the morning, and getting some solid play time in with my little guy. It’s been great. Nap time comes around and I can check emails and finish up projects. I only give myself until 5pm when it’s time to make dinner. Having a more limited time to work, gets me more motivated to focus and get things done.

I love this post. This focusing and balance thing has been weighing heavy on me too. I really enjoyed the links. Thank you

]]> By: Administrator http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54683 Administrator Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:33:49 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54683 Thanks everyone for all the fabulous ideas! Whenever I get book recommendations I immediately open up a window to my library's website and put the book on hold. I'm a total bookie, can't get enough of those types of books. I also took several of your recommendations on writing a list. I know that sounds painfully obvious but sometimes I just keep it all in my head. Right now I have three separate projects going on with some longer stuff lurking in the distance. I've been waking up at night thinking about all the things I don't want to forget. Writing it down has unburdened my brain immensely. It's a little scary too but I'll just have to deal with that. xo Kathy Thanks everyone for all the fabulous ideas! Whenever I get book recommendations I immediately open up a window to my library’s website and put the book on hold. I’m a total bookie, can’t get enough of those types of books.

I also took several of your recommendations on writing a list. I know that sounds painfully obvious but sometimes I just keep it all in my head. Right now I have three separate projects going on with some longer stuff lurking in the distance. I’ve been waking up at night thinking about all the things I don’t want to forget. Writing it down has unburdened my brain immensely. It’s a little scary too but I’ll just have to deal with that.

xo
Kathy

]]> By: Susan http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54627 Susan Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:04:57 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54627 Thanks for great discussion! My new mantra: "Action creates motivation". ( from book "Scaling Down".) So - I try to find something. on some project - to DO....then as Nan said, the 'creative abyss' opens and in I fall. Thanks for great discussion! My new mantra: “Action creates motivation”. ( from book “Scaling Down”.) So – I try to find something. on some project – to DO….then as Nan said, the ‘creative abyss’ opens and in I fall.

]]> By: cindy http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54548 cindy Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:25:42 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54548 The creative energy does not automatically start flowing the moment the kids are in bed. I like to start off by cleaning up the sewing room. I am the messiest crafter ever, so this is never a problem. I feel inspiration just folding different fabrics and looking around at the things I love. I find a notepad or sketchbook are always handy, as well. My mind goes a mile a minute even when I'm just sitting there. So it's nice to write down how I got from A-Z. And you know, I think age has something to do with it. That and the number of kids you have. Wouldn't it be boring if we weren't always striving for something? The creative energy does not automatically start flowing the moment the kids are in bed. I like to start off by cleaning up the sewing room. I am the messiest crafter ever, so this is never a problem. I feel inspiration just folding different fabrics and looking around at the things I love. I find a notepad or sketchbook are always handy, as well. My mind goes a mile a minute even when I’m just sitting there. So it’s nice to write down how I got from A-Z. And you know, I think age has something to do with it. That and the number of kids you have. Wouldn’t it be boring if we weren’t always striving for something?

]]> By: alicia http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54427 alicia Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:08:59 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54427 Hi Kathy! I like your blog very much and I got many inspirations. Drink a Cognac and please continue By the way I have found this interesting blog via http://www.naehbistro.ch/sewing (Sorry that is the correct blog) Hi Kathy!
I like your blog very much and I got many inspirations.
Drink a Cognac and please continue

By the way
I have found this interesting blog via
http://www.naehbistro.ch/sewing
(Sorry that is the correct blog)

]]> By: mrspilkington http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54414 mrspilkington Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:02:54 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54414 Oh, that blasted Internet! Gets me every time...I have to go back to strict time management on that one. I heard the rocks story with rice and walnuts! I'm also very much a list maker, it really helps, even though I make very unrealistic lists. And I've started putting up inspiration/reminders/motivators all over the apartment...And I put a 'project'/WIP everywhere (including in my bags) so that I can do something, if even for a few minutes, anytime. Oh, that blasted Internet! Gets me every time…I have to go back to strict time management on that one. I heard the rocks story with rice and walnuts!

I’m also very much a list maker, it really helps, even though I make very unrealistic lists. And I’ve started putting up inspiration/reminders/motivators all over the apartment…And I put a ‘project’/WIP everywhere (including in my bags) so that I can do something, if even for a few minutes, anytime.

]]> By: AJ http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/comment-page-1/#comment-54328 AJ Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:49:41 +0000 http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2008/04/23/focus/#comment-54328 I would say that I could focus much better if I put blogging and blog reading to the side. It's very distracting but I love every moment of reading. There is so much inspiration and creativity out there. And not having a plan works best for me. I just pick up whatever craft I want to work on, be it knitting, scrapbooking, sewing or jewelry making. I find that if I get bored of one I can rotate and yet I can still get a little of each done. That's all the advice I have! I would say that I could focus much better if I put blogging and blog reading to the side. It’s very distracting but I love every moment of reading. There is so much inspiration and creativity out there. And not having a plan works best for me. I just pick up whatever craft I want to work on, be it knitting, scrapbooking, sewing or jewelry making. I find that if I get bored of one I can rotate and yet I can still get a little of each done. That’s all the advice I have!

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