Live First; Blog Later
It's Monday. Since I don't blog over the weekend, I try to get back to it on Mondays. But today is different. It's an absolutely gorgeous day outside, the kids are starting to feel a little cooped up, and Mommy just vetoed nap time. Instead of blogging during nap time, I'll be outside running around with a couple of cute kids. Sometimes that's just the way it needs to be.
How to Help Yourself Work More Efficiently
Do you ever use psychology on yourself to help you work more efficiently? I do all the time.
For instance, yesterday I worked really hard and got a lot done. That was easily proved by looking at my to-do list and taking note of all the things that had been checked off. But at the end of the day I was discouraged. I felt like the house was a mess and I got nothing done.
This morning I knew I had to think through what it was that was discouraging me and come up with a remedy for it. If I'm discouraged I do not work well. I feel like my house is a hopeless case and wonder why I should even bother trying to clean it up.
In reality, it's never as bad as it feels like it is.
I have to use psychology on myself to encourage myself not to give up. If I give up things really will get bad and it will be an absolute nightmare to catch up.
I have two choices when I'm starting to feel discouraged about the housework.
1. Start with the easiest things first (like I do on Mondays.) When I do the quick and easy things first (like putting things where they belong as opposed to deep cleaning the bathroom), I can see immediate results and I realize things really weren't as bad as they looked. I am then encouraged enough to finish up the rest of the housework.
-OR-
2. Get the hardest thing over with right away. This was what needed to happen today. I really needed to clean out the refrigerator, to be exact. I thought about the reason I was discouraged at the end of the day yesterday and realized that although I had gotten a lot of cleaning done, I hadn't accomplished the one thing that was really bothering me. Knowing how icky the inside of my refrigerator was was messing with my head. It was making me feel like everything was dirty. So I broke my rule about getting the dishes done first and started in on the fridge first thing this morning.
As soon as it was done I immediately felt better. My mind became clear enough to see that the rest of the cleaning could easily be finished up.
Don't worry about the weird container in the back. The fridge leaks water and we have to keep a container in there to catch it.
What is holding you back from being more productive? Do you need to do something that will help you see some quick results? Or do you need to dig in and work on something that's been hanging over your head and discouraging you?
Our emotions affect our productivity more than we realize. There are no rules that says a house must be cleaned in a certain order. If you are struggling and feel like you are never going to get it all done, try to figure out what will help you feel better. (Sorry, chocolate doesn't count!) Take the time to identify what is dragging you down emotionally and work with yourself, not against yourself.
If you’re just joining the Anti-Procrastination challenge, you may want to subscribe to email updates or follow me on Facebook to receive each new challenge!
This post is linked to Time Warp Wife, Above Rubies, Thankful Homemaker, and Growing Home.
Printable Scripture Verse Art
I have way too much fun making this stuff! The great thing about making printable art is that it is so easy to switch it out. And when I'm using Scripture verses I can keep new ones fresh in my mind all the time.
Here is one I made up this morning.
Enjoy!
Great Deal on Turquoise Glass Jars
I know turquoise glass is a big thing right now, and I just wanted to give you a heads up that they have some jars for $1.85 at Totsy today! If you’ve never ordered from them before, shipping is free on your first order! Look for the “Circle Glass” sale.
Anti-Procrastination Challenge: The Ebenezer
You may be wondering what this business about the Ebenezer is all about and what it has to do with my Anti-Procrastination challenge today.
In the Bible, an Ebenezer was a stone of remembrance. In I Samuel 7:12, Samuel set up a stone “and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” In Joshua 4, the Israelites were commanded to take 12 stones out of the Jordan river (one for each tribe) and set them up when they reached the opposite shore. The purpose of these stones was to serve as a memorial to the children of Israel that would remind them and their children of God's power and deliverance all the way from their leaving Egypt until the point when they reached the Promised Land.
I believe that we as Christians should set up “Ebenezer stones” as reminders for ourselves and for our children of how powerful our God is and how He cares for us. When discouraging times come, we can look at those memorials and remember what God has done for us in times past. It is so encouraging to look back and remember specific prayers that received specific answers. God has done miracles large and small on our family's behalf. I don't want to forget those things. I don't want my children to be ignorant of those things either.
“Ebenezer stones” for me come in the form of a journal. I like to keep track of things we're going through and how God overcomes those situations. There are so many times that God has obviously been at work in certain situations. If I don't write them down they will go unnoticed and forgotten throughout the rest of history. If I do write them down, I can look back on them and be blessed. I can show my children what a big God their Mommy and Daddy serve and teach them that they can trust Him too.
My journaling lately, though, has been sporadic at best. The more kids I have it seems the harder it is to fit it in. But I have to make time for it. God commanded the children of Israel to set up those stones because He did not want them to forget who He is and what He had done. He doesn't want me to forget either.
I may not be able to spend an extensive amount of time every day, but when the Lord has worked in my life in a specific way, I'm going to make it a point to find the time to write it down.
If you're a Christian, I believe you should be keeping a memorial of God's working in your life too. (If you don't know for sure that you're a Christian and on your way to heaven, please don't let this day pass without making sure you know! You can find out here or email me for more information.)
Your “Ebenezer” may look a little different than mine. Maybe it will simply be a prayer list on which you record the specific answers that God gives you. Maybe it will be a detailed journal. Maybe it will be an index card file on which you write down one line a day of God's blessings, answers to prayer, or what He has taught you.
Whatever you decide – make the time! Not only will it be a blessing to you personally and be a tool for you to teach your children, but ultimately, as God said in Joshua 4, “That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.”
How To Make Your Own Hair Spray
Have you ever wondered how to make your own hair spray? It's actually very easy!
I cannot believe I didn't research this sooner, but I just always figured that it was probably impossible.
The good news is that it's not impossible, and you can make your own hairspray! No more breathing nasty chemicals and spending money.
Homemade hairspray requires only 5 minutes of your time and 2 ingredients.
It costs literally 2 cents to make an entire bottle of hairspray, and the best part is that it will hold your hair every bit as well as well as a bottle of store-bought hairspray!
Here's what you do:
- Bring one cup of water to a boil.
- Dissolve 4 teaspoons of sugar in the water.
- Cool and pour into a fine mist spray bottle.
That's it! I have been using this recipe for several months, and I honestly forget that I'm not using “real” hair spray.
A few notes from my personal experience:
1. I used an empty bottle of store-bought hair spray. I figured the mist would be the perfect consistency that way (and it is.)
2. I also added around 8 drops of lavender oil to mine to make it smell good, but that is completely optional.
3. The first time you use your homemade hair spray, you might think it's not going to work because it's so wet. Give the water a couple minutes to evaporate, and you'll be left with nothing but hair held firmly in place. If you want an even firmer hold, give it another misting after the first round has dried.
If you try out this recipe, be sure to let me know! I'd love to hear how you liked it!
Update 5/12/15
I started making this using raw, organic cane sugar instead of refined white sugar. It goes bad much more quickly with the raw sugar. (It will last about 2 weeks.) Adding a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil will extend the shelf life a little longer.