Time is Precious and Germs are Everywhere

Here we are, full swing into the 2010-2011 School Year. I am now experiencing the challenges of working full time and running my own little business on the side. I worked a 9-5 office job before teaching, and there is something about teaching that leaves me incredibly physically and mentally exhausted at the day's end. It has become a running joke that my husband always finds me passed out in the living room when he comes home from work. I fight to stay awake and usually I do not win the battle.

My time to create is now limited to the evenings and weekends. I have had a goal each day to put aside a chunk of my evening to work on Gypsy Lane Designs. After all- I have had a fruitful September so far- with a lot of custom orders, preparations for selling my Alphabet Prints at Scarlet Fiorella and Ali's Wagon, getting ready for my first craft fair, finishing up illustrations for a children's book- as well as getting things rolling with private art lessons, staying on top of my blog, Facebook, etc. Time is precious, and now more than ever, I want to use it wisely! All of this extra work is just fantastic and I feel very lucky to have these opportunities. I want to do it all.

This week, I got thrown for a little loop and I am sick. Germs are everywhere in my classroom, and I find I have gotten sick more often as a teacher. My energy is at a low-point and I am more frustrated than ever that I cannot get everything accomplished that is on my agenda. But I do think my body is sending me a very important message that I have been resisting and ignoring: REST! I am sick for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. I still feel a sense of guilt that there are things still to be checked off on my list, but I have come to terms with the fact that I need a break. Tonight will be a night of REST.

Sometimes you just can't do it all. I had high hopes to be 10000% prepared for the Lehigh Avenue Arts festival, but as I am juggling my schedule and all of the extras, preparations were pushed aside. I even grappled with just not going, as I don't feel ready. I talked with some of the wonderful Etsy folks in the forums, who convinced me to still go to the festival. To get experience even if things don't pan out the way I want. To improvise. I will be printing out a lot of previous samples of my work and setting them up on picture stands so as to create visual interest. Maybe I won't have as many "ready made" pieces to sell, but I simply don't have the time right now.

I think it's important to keep the ball rolling and do as much as possible, but this week I am learning to improvise and rest. I hope it leaves me more rejuvenated tomorrow.

What time management techniques do you use?