Simplifying Life - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jt20 · #1 09-23-2011, 01:54 PM

There is never enough time in the day; 24 hours is nothing if you have to sleep for at least 4 just to function.

It seems like I am getting into a nasty habit of taking on too many projects and responsibilities for the amount of time I have to offer each one. They all seem to need my attention at the same time; often when one is particularly critical.

So what do I do?

I have to trim the fat; know what is truly important and find the root of its value to me.

Machines are an excellent example. I can almost always figure things out to make them work a bit longer - cars, laptops, washer, dryer, etc...

But I can't keep them all up and maintain a personal life while truly devoting myself to a career / future. OR at least, I am not good enough at maintaining those material items fast enough. ; )

I would love to hear how some of you more 'experienced' folk have managed to do most things yourself yet still find success in your personal / professional life.

TX76513 · #2 09-23-2011, 02:08 PM

The short answer is throw money at it. I used to love to tinker with my cars, cut the grass and do most of my home maintenance. Like your description I have fallen short on time. So now the cars go to Indy for anything other than a small task, Tru-Green fertilizes the yard, Lanscaping company cuts it. Home stuff gets farmed out to applicable company. Sigh -its that or not have a life.

raymr · #3 09-23-2011, 02:26 PM

Stop being on the internet so much. Big time sink hole there!

jt20 · #4 09-23-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

Stop being on the internet so much. Big time sink hole there!

Ha! I am actually online re-installing all the missing drivers / software onto a laptop that crashed.

Its taking forever.

SwampYankee · #5 09-23-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

The short answer is throw money at it. I used to love to tinker with my cars, cut the grass and do most of my home maintenance. Like your description I have fallen short on time. So now the cars go to Indy for anything other than a small task, Tru-Green fertilizes the yard, Lanscaping company cuts it. Home stuff gets farmed out to applicable company. Sigh -its that or not have a life.

I have to come to that realization that I can't do everything myself anymore. There just aren't enough hours in the day. Throw four kids'-worth of schedules into the mix and it can get to be a bit much at times.

Although I wouldn't let Tru-Green anywhere near my lawn.

panZZer · #6 09-23-2011, 02:32 PM

Axe the yard work--spray it down with saltwater, and disreguard any more sports related pasttimes, unless of course its ladies downhill skiing or ladies beach vollyball!

barry123400 · #7 09-23-2011, 02:48 PM

In my case the older I got the worse it got. I tend to agree that delagation of things to lessen the personal load is important. Much of these things are habits by the way. Working every day actually helped as it took time.

It is somewhat difficult to break habits established over many years. The true clue may be a simpler life as you touched upon. In my opinion that may be a better life as well. I seem trapped in this crazy materialistic thing of my generation.

Never really getting totally caught up so deffering some things to make some time. This is a poor stratagy as the deffered items still await you. Plus any additional things that have come up. I have decided to back well off starting next spring. Right now is the transition period where I take less things on.

I still make decent money in retirement and yet today am throwing firewood into the basement and stacking it. Why I do not hire a kid for a hundred or so to do it instead never seems to normally cross my mind. Well at 69+ the excersise is benificial. The one result of all this activity is people never seem to suspect I am older than about fifty.

Two half roofs need reshingling before winter as well.. About two days work for an old goat like me.

The logic here if there is any. .Is the excessive outside cost to get roofing done reciently. If I felt imortal I would put a steel roof on. Although asthetically I have never yet seen one I would like on a house of our design.

Those two days farmed out might be four to five thousand plus material. They can charge this as so many people are helpless to do almost anything for themselves. If I were to persist in our current lifestyle farming everything out it may take 150-200K a year.

So we will start downsizing very soon as well. I do not want to remain a slave to all our possesions as I now feel I have been. Mind you there has been a tremendous financial upside over the years because of self reliance and self confidence.

I think it becomes a wake up call when you have way more than enough and fully realise you cannot take anything with you as well when you depart. The wife is well provided for so it is time to at least either slow down or engage in more activities I preffer to do. Well I better go finish piling the firewood.

barry123400 · #8 09-23-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Axe the yard work--spray it down with saltwater, and disreguard any more sports related pasttimes, unless of course its ladies downhill skiing or ladies beach vollyball!

Now topless I could suffer through with little effort. Our sandy beach is private so I considered putting up signs topless only at one time.

elchivito · #9 09-23-2011, 07:53 PM

Regardless what it is you're doing at any given time, learn to realize when you're chasing your tail and stop it, and learn to recognize black holes before you get sucked into them. Saying NO gets easier the more you do it.

jt20 · #10 09-23-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

Regardless what it is you're doing at any given time, learn to realize when you're chasing your tail and stop it, and learn to recognize black holes before you get sucked into them. Saying NO gets easier the more you do it.

Thank you.

jt20 · #11 09-23-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

The short answer is throw money at it. I used to love to tinker with my cars, cut the grass and do most of my home maintenance. Like your description I have fallen short on time. So now the cars go to Indy for anything other than a small task, Tru-Green fertilizes the yard, Lanscaping company cuts it. Home stuff gets farmed out to applicable company. Sigh -its that or not have a life.

I was afraid someone was going to say this. It is one of the options I do not have at this stage in my life.

And, ironically, it is the reason I had to get good at doing things myself. What would Sartre say?

iwrock · #12 09-23-2011, 08:11 PM

iwrocks rule: Schedule(s/ing). Break down your tasks into a reasonable amount of time, and how often it needs to be done. If you cant work it into your schedule, outsource it.

It sucks, but you need to learn where to draw the line and say no.

jt20 · #13 09-23-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

iwrocks rule: Schedule(s/ing). Break down your tasks into a reasonable amount of time, and how often it needs to be done. If you cant work it into your schedule, outsource it.

It sucks, but you need to learn where to draw the line and say no.

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a bit disorganized... I do things by 'feel'.

That is a fault, and I will try to incorporate this advice. Sincere thanks.

raymr · #14 09-23-2011, 09:56 PM

Sometimes it helps to make a list of the things that have to be done. It clears the mental clutter, and then you can knock out each item and feel a sense of progress.

Angel · #15 09-23-2011, 09:59 PM

I think I have a lot in common with you - 2 broken motorcycles in the garage.
I gave up and bought the wife a newer minivan just so I didnt have to fix her car (and my subie wagon has gne farther than any of my previous VW's without major attention..there is a real lesson here =)

I have 3 kids - not a lot but more than my richer DINK-er friends

Children consume a lot of time...for a reason - we know what happens when parents forget that they have kids...even if only for a short time.

I'm trying to get more organized also - I have always had a smartphone with a calendar - even if was an old Palm Treo with no data plan - it lets you make lists, track tasks and alert you when dates/appointments are near.

Now I just need to convince my wife to help me get more done

-Daddy