I have been going around all over the place lately surfing and came across mention of a game called the Prosperity Game designed to help you visualise what you would do with unlimited money.

I am going to turn this game around.  I am going to list what I would do most importantly if my time to live was limited.  A friend of my cousin is dying of cancer and has less than a few years to live.  We have lost friends here at Homeschool Blogger before their time.  It just makes me think whether I am doing what is really important each day.

So here is the game! 

Day 1 What would you want to make sure you did before dying if you knew you would die in 50 years time?  Be specific.

Post a link to yours in the comments.

Best wishes,
Jen in Oz

I wonder about blogging my ideas here that don't really fit the topic of homeschooling but I will share anyway as I think it shows that I am more than just a homeschooling mum.  I am also an individual growing and learning about many things in life.

I have some spreadsheets I use to set goals using the SMART system.  It has always been interesting to use them as they haven't always fitted the types of goals I have set.  This article explains why.  

I really hadn't thought of it this way but a lot of goals as a mum are not ones that you can define when you have achieved them.  I want to teach my kids to have certain values or character traits but it isn't something I can measure.  These are "end" goals.  Purchasing some good books like these are "means" goals, or setting a goal to memorise a certain number of scriptures in a year or setting aside time to read the Bible together are SMART goals, ones that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time oriented.

This has been a real eye opener.  Now I can classify my goals better and not get so frustrated at the "end" goals being ones that I can not define so easily as measurable or time oriented.

Best wishes,
Jen in Oz

I have finally sorted those school drawers out.  I am really on a roll atm with organising things.  I really feel that the new year is going to go well as I will finally be able to find things.  I even have a filing box with proper suspension files for any papers I come across, articles I print etc.  Before it was just a horizontal filing system in piles all over the house.  This desk isn't much more than a computer desk so I now just need to set up a 'desk' area on the deck where I hope to do school and I will be able to do my paperwork so much better.

Also funnily enough I have found that as I do things and tidy up messes and organise things that I am actually getting more energy.  My dh and mum would always tell me to take it easy, rest,  so I have in the past even when the motivation mood hit.  The trouble is that all that resting did not give me more energy.  Moving and doing has given me more energy, not tiring me out at all despite standing and moving a lot as I tidy up.

Now, I just have to get back on track with my Holiday Control Journal.  It got buried under a pile of paper about a week ago and I have only a glimmer of an idea where it is.  :-(

Best wishes,
Jen in Oz

I know it isn't usual to view ourselves as homeschoolers as anything but a mum with extra jobs.  I am realising lately that viewing ourselves as managers is a more broadening experience.  I have many 'projects' under way such as home chores, home maintenance, personal projects, homeschool planning and prep, etc. 

As a homeschooling mother of 3 I find a lot of the problems covered here are things that apply to me.  As I go thru the mini course offered at this site I am learning so much more when I remember to view myself as a manager of a unique group - my family with all sorts of priorities, goals and projects.  The links in each article are great to follow too and I find his style of writing very easy to understand even though I have read these ideas before.

If we can view ourselves in this light there is so much out there to help us.  We just need to adapt the 'male business' words to fit our 'female home' management situation.

Just as an update on the Hipster PDA idea.  It is working really well.  I have always wanted to wear aprons and now I just make sure there is a good sized pocket to hold my 4x6 cards and a pencil.  It so nice to not get sidetracked doing that job I might forget later.

Funnily enough the other day I had to go buy a clip to hold the cards together.  20c.  Absolutely nothing compared to the money I have spent on 2 Palms and accessories over the last 6 years and the latest still won't sync with my PC properly. 

Best wishes,
Jen in Oz

I have been googling time management lately and found this great site.  I signed up for the free Time Management course and have gained so much in only 2 lessons. 

In the past I have read Steven Covey books like First Things First and Seven Habits. I have even had a Franklin Planner and a Palm but none of those tools were working for me.  After looking through the site above I have realised why they weren't working (focusing too much on what I needed to do instead of why).  I am thinking that a Hipster PDA would work better for me as a homeschooling mum with different colour cards for homeschool and housework slipped in between the cards for our routines.  Then I can add a 3rd colour for project cards and also carry a blank card for catching ideas on, similar to a scratch pad idea but something I can carry in a pocket of an apron.  I already collect ideas from books for craft and PE and put them on index cards so they could be easily slotted into my pile for the day too. 

Share your ideas for how you manage to catch your thoughts and keep on track each day.

Best wishes,
Jen in Oz