Busy vs. Effective

Whoa! We've been back from Hawaii for only 11 days, and it already feels like so long ago!

It's been pretty busy for me, mostly because I was starting a brand-new job and my routine has yet to be established. It shouldn't feel as whirlwind-ed as it does, but that's the case.

Before, I would wake up at 6am every day, workout until 6:35, shower and/or get dressed, make my lunch, read scriptures with Sam at 7:20, talk for a few minutes, pray, and be to work by 8am. Take it I also had a 7-minute drive to work.

Now, I must clock in at 7:30am, which means I need to leave by 7:10 in order to ensure a timely arrival. I've been waking up at 6am as per usual, but that unfortunately means I haven't been working out.

Some may ask, a) why do you have to workout? or b) can't you just work out another time?

These are both questions to which I have great answers.

I need to workout. If I don't, my body starts to hurt, I feel weak, and generally I'm not as happy. I workout for my well-being, it keeps my anxiety in check and helps me sleep better.

So, why won't I workout after work? I am the master at talking myself out of things when I have other things to do. Also, I'm at my energy peak first thing in the morning, so it makes sense to workout when I'm at my strongest.

Anyway, as busy as I've felt, I'm seriously debating my effectiveness.

I know that the inevitable conclusion will be waking up earlier to guarantee my workout, but I'm not quite willing to commit to a 5:30am wake-up call all summer.

Also, once I arrive back at home after my workday has concluded, I've been binge-watching Gilmore Girls. I'm almost finished with season six! I've spent much of my free-time on Netflix, especially when we were in Hawaii and I had downtime.

I'm worried that my lack of structure in my free-time is negatively affecting my ability to be effective. Ergo, I have decided to attempt some structure and modify in order to give myself a better chance at being effective.

Before Work
Workout for 30 minutes
Scripture Study
Family Prayer

At Work
Get outside and walk for at least part of lunchtime

After Work
Enjoy 1hr of Netflix
Prepare dinner
Spend quality time with my husband

It seems silly (or even too simple), but writing it down has now made me more accountable for my choices in how my time is spent. I just know that I have a better chance at sticking with it in the long run if I do it this way.

Wish me luck!