Hey there, Jen Ritey here, and this is a happy bit. So if you're like me, you probably

overestimate the amount of time you have available and underestimate the time it will take to

complete a task or project. And if that's you, then I have a little exercise for you that

you can try some time. Write down on a piece of paper numbers 1 through 20 or 1

through 30 each number representing an hour of time you have available for something. So if you

have the goal to work only 20 hours a week for your part-time job, write 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on

the way to 20, one line per number.

If you estimate that you have 40 waking hours at home each week, then write one through 40.

You're going to figure out how you use your time for these things.

So first, you'll write in the things you want to do, the things that are meaningful to you.

It could be spending time with your kids, having a date with your spouse, or if you're writing

things about work, maybe you want to write a book and you realize that has to be your top

priority. Write those things in in positions one through five or however they go.

Each number represents one hour of time. Okay. Next, write in the things you really must do to thrive.

So at home, laundry, cleaning up the dishes and so on. The must do's. Then on a separate piece of paper, kind of jot down some of the things

that you'd like to do, but they aren't a top priority and they aren't must-dos, but you'd like to do.

And you can also write on that list some of the things you end up spending your time on,

and then fill in the blanks. And on this list some of the things you end up spending your time on and then fill in

the blanks and on this list you should have the top 20 or 30 or 40 depending on how long your list is

the top 20 30 or 40 things that you want to use your time for take that list and make a few copies

perhaps or put it in a spreadsheet and start tracking.

When you complete one hour of working on your book, mark an X next to that.

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