Share A Book - Getting Things Done

One of the things that has always plagued me as a knitter/fiber enthusiast is an ever growing pile of unfinished projects (UFO's); items I committed to make for someone, either to myself or personally, sweater's I just put down and never picked up again, and designs I started, but gave up on...I know I am not alone here; many in our fiber community have blogged, tweeted, and pinned about the same problem. With that in mind, for the very first post in my 'Share A Book' series, I'd like to recommend a book I am currently reading called 'Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity' by David Allen.  I first heard about this book from watching Miss Trenchcoat in her 'Plan Like An Entrepreneur' series.
I have been praying about my struggle with accomplishing tasks and feeling so overwhelmed all of the time. This book has truly been an answer to those prayers, and that's another reason I wanted to share it with you today! 
My prayers have gone something like this: " Lord, why am I not accomplishing anything that really needs to be done? I feel so overwhelmed and helpless.... Please help me not to feel so anxious and exhausted."  I thought my problem was fear, worry and lack of faith. With that, comes guilt; for what I am not doing that I should be doing and fear that my future is in my hands, but my hands are weak. That's how I felt. Overwhelmed and with little ability to correct it.

But Mr. Allen's book has really helped me to turn that around. First, he thoroughly explains the problem:

"A paradox has emerged in this new millennium: people have enhanced quality of life, but at the same time they are adding to their stress levels by taking on more that they have resources to handle....the plethora of options and opportunities brings with it the pressures of decision making and choices. And most people are, to some degree, frustrated and perplexed about how to improve the situation."

For me, I also have and overextended life situation with my husband's illness, which has added to what is stated here as well as the normal, everyday activities and responsibilities most people have.

The solution begins with getting everything out of your head and onto the page, and continues with tips that will help you to organize tasks into do-able next steps, and begin to move items into the 'completed' category. Amen....finally!

I must say, I have felt so much more clear headed and calm, just in taking his first suggestion of 'capturing' every task, real or imagined, every promised action, every 'should' or 'I wish', no matter how small or trivial, on paper. Now having all of that 'stuff' out of my head and in a trusted place has done wonders for my sanity...truly!

I am particularly impressed that these techniques can be partially or fully implemented with immediate results and are very forgiving in their presentation. No need to dive in head first and commit to a complete lifestyle change. Just use what you can and feel good about that.

If you've never read this book, buy it, anyone can benefit from his down-to-earth techniques or, if you have already read it, get the latest edition. Mr. Allen has updated his methods to include tools which are available today which were not when the book was first published. I have a provided an Amazon Link on my sidebar. Just click through and purchase the digital or paperback edition. I also have a link for the Kindle Reading App on the sidebar. Enjoy!

Wow! Hard to believe it has been close to a year since I posted an update to this blog. Life moves pretty fast, doesn't it? There have been some changes chez Angelarae, but I am sure most of you could say the same.

My husband's brain injury has pretty much had the usual impact on life, but I am happy to report that over the last 6 months we have finally found a helpful resource. The Brain Injury Association of NC has been invaluable and giving Hal and our family the support we have needed for so long, but just didn't know where to look.  We finally have answers to and validation for many of the behaviors and difficulties we have dealt with over the past several years and have also joined support groups which are useful for me and beneficial for Hal, especially helping him to understand and accept his limitations and weaknesses.

Emma and Will are growing quickly:0)

Will is 17, now, a senior at Cary H.S. and Emma is 14, just starting CHS as a freshman...

As for me, I have finally decided I need to get serious about my blogging.  I miss writing and interacting with all of you!  Social networking is fun, too, but it really hasn't taken the place of blogging for me. So, I am glad to be back! 

Now to brainstorm some cool blog posts! Got some great ideas, already!