Add another item to the list....

SO on top of everything I do, I have also recently began studying to take my PHR exam. PHR stands for the Professional Human Resources certification. It is something that sets apart human resources professionals and is often required for certain HR jobs in the industry.

The study materials are rather lengthy. It feels like a full-blown college course to me. Needless to say I've been hitting the books on my lunch hour and pulling extra reading hours on the weekends. I take my test early June so I'll definitely be putting in lots of study time in the meantime.

Needless to say I've got one more thing to multitask.

This is a great way to grow both my HR knowledge and become a bigger asset to my company. This is definitely something good to go ahead and accomplish while I am still relatively new to the industry. This will be worth it! ALLLL this studying will be worth it!

Christmas Clearance Savings Continued....

Let me start off by citing my own belief on lunch breaks. I'm way busy at work (and life in general!). However, on occasion, I am able to take a lunch break. Normally, I eat at my desk while I'm going through emails. So, when I get a chance to take a lunch break, I try to run quick errands.

We are running slow today so I was able to take a lunch break . I used this break to run to Pier 1 to look at their Christmas decoration clearance sale. My reason for going there was that I had a gift card to Pier 1. Last year, my brother got me a $50 Pier1 Gift Card for Christmas. We weren't able to cross paths for a while so he wasn't able to give it to me until later in the year.

While at Pier 1, I was able to use my gift card to purchase 5 Christmas stocking holders (that normally would have cost a total of $89) for only $45! I liked them because not only do they serve as Christmas stocking holders, but they are also nice for added decoration. No, we don't NEED 5 Christmas stocking holders. (it's just J and I). However, I plan on using some of them to hang other Christmas items.

5 Reasons Why I Clean in the Mornings

I realize everyone has a system or schedule that works for them. However, below are my reasons for scheduling all of my house cleaning in the mornings:

1. I don't have to have a "cleaning day." I divide up all of the cleaning tasks throughout the mornings during the weekdays. This allows me to break it up a little. Instead of cleaning for 3-4 hours on one day, I'm cleaning in much shorter increments.

2. By cleaning on section of the house each morning, I start off my day feeling accomplished.

3. Doing a load of laundry each morning ensures we never have an issue with not having anything clean to wear! (You know we've all had those days where our outfit wasn't our first choice simply because everything else was needing to be washed!)

4. Cleaning in the morning means I can focus on "ME" items after work. After work, I can focus on my workouts, my dance practices, and making dinner. When J gets home, our hangout time isn't interrupted by the dryer going off.

5. I have more time to focus on projects and fun stuff on the weekends. When J doesn't have practice, we have more weekend hangout time that DOESN'T revolve around my cleaning schedule.

This Week

My goals for this week:

* Finish wrapping ALL the Christmas presents (with the help of work wrapping 5 for me per by below post).

* Have ALL my new open choreography routines memorized. (I'm so close).

* Finish the remainder of my workout week. (On Track)

* Get present for J's office Christmas party and shop for two more of his friends.

* Finish work on some work projects this weekend.

* Get my hair did.

Knowing When to Delegate

So my Specialist at work informed me that our company's valet service wraps your Christmas presents for free if you bring 5 at a time (in their box) and make an appointment.

Yes, please.

How's THAT for multitasking. I work and get my presents wrapped at the same time! Merry Christmas to ME!

LOVE this Blog.

If you haven't signed up for email notifications from this blog, I suggest that you do so. If you are as busy as I am, this blog is super helpful.

The below entry of "Dumb Little Man" is all about setting up "systems" to help you get your every day to-do list items accomplished.

First of all, I use systems for everything I do each day. I do the same routine in the morning to help get chores done and make sure everyone is tended to. For example, I start a load of laundry before I get in the shower. When I get out of the shower, I put the clothes in the dryer. While I'm doing a list of pre-scheduled weekly chores, the clothes are drying. I take the clothes out of the dryer and fold them before I finish getting ready for work. Don't ask what time I get up.

"Are Your Systems Letting You Down?"

Things Change....as is life!

So exercising 7 days a week was harder than I anticipated. I am going to go back to scheduling a day off. Giving my body a weekly break seemed to work much better. I've had it this way for a long time! You know how the saying goes..."If it aint broke, don't fix it!"

Revised Workout Schedule:

Monday: Insanity Workout

Tuesday: Gym Cardio Routine ( I have various routines ranging from 30-40 minutes), Abs/Core Training for 10 minutes, 20 minutes of Yoga, 10 minutes of additional stretching

Wednesday: Insanity Workout

Thursday: Repeat of Tuesday's Workout

Friday: Insanity Workout

Saturday: Pilates Workout

Sunday: REST!

Making the Most out of Your Schedule

Every weekday, I follow a to-do list as part of a weekly schedule I keep. I start off each morning cleaning a different room in our house, completing other household chores, getting my meals ready for the day, then heading out to my 9-5 job. After work, I go to either my workout for the day or to the dance studio (depending on what day it is), then I go home to fix dinner for the hubs and I. J and I are almost always done with our days around the same time...which is perfect! Once he is done with work, we enjoy dinner and relaxation together to cap off the day. We also try to do something fun during the weeknights like little mini dates.

I do all of this during the week in order to be able to enjoy my weekends. I'm able to relax knowing that the house is clean, I've got the bulk of my workouts done, and I've practiced my dancing. So Saturday and Sunday are my play days to spend with special people or doing special things! I definitely prefer it this way! (I do SOME light exercising on the weekends and an occasional special project....but you get the point! You can't expect a multitasker to be not do anything at all!) Keeping this schedule during the week also allows J and I to have more time together when he has the occasional weekend day off from work!

I follow a LOT of blogs based on my interests. However, this blog in particular usually has great tips on time management, making the most out of your day, and being successful in general. This particular entry gives three tips to making the most of your day if you're busy like me!

Dumb Little Man - "Three Things to Help You Make the Most out of Your Day"