Summary Dec 5, 2007

Central theme:
We have many, many things to do around the holidays. This usually leads to stress, which can lead to overeating.

We need to find strategies that will help us through this stressful time of year.


Thoughts for the week:
Time-Sucker List-
shoveling, television, decorating, shopping, driving in bad weather, parties, cleaning, cooking, wrapping gifts, writing cards, calling on friends.

All these things (and more) pull for our time around the holidays. To be most efficient with our time, we need to:

• make daily or weekly, prioritized, task lists
• put events and tasks on a family calendar
• leave some time for the unexpected in your day
  
• delegate tasks to others
• accept help when it's offered
  
• take time to enjoy friends, family, good food, Christmas, etc.
• consider outsourcing (carpet cleaners, housecleaning, bakery, catering, etc.)

We also went through a Storyboard exercise to stay on target with our Winning Outcome we generated last week. For example, I drew a picture of a phone, grocery list, grocery store, stove, dinner table. That is, I'm going to call family to develop a meal plan, make a grocery list, then grocery shop when I get to my mom's, make some great meals, and enjoy them with family at the dinner table. I will also be bringing my cooler and baggies so I can take extras home. That way I'm not compelled to eat it all right there and then.


Web Links:
Time Management Tips

About.com: Articles About Delegating and Time Management


Closing quotes:
"Time flies--it's up to you to be the navigator"

"You will never find time for anything. If you want time, make time."

"Have To vs. Get To" (I think in the context of, I have to bake cookies vs. I get to make those special cookies everyone loves)


Recipe:
Jennifer talked about angel food cake with 2-3 tsp of mint extract in the mix, and then adding crushed WW mint-chocolate bars on top. Sounds delicious, but I didn't get the exact recipe. Experiment!