Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint
Let’s Talk with Maggie Toussaint
January 26, 2017
The Beat Goes On
By Maggie Toussaint
If you’re “of an age” you may remember “The Beat Goes On,” a hit song by Sonny and Cher. The song tells of life events that keep coming at you, and I can totally identify… La de da da dee, la de da da dah (you can thank me for the earworm later)
The first month of 2017 is nearly done but I’ve got stacks of 2016 stuff that needs to be finished. Egad! I can’t remember ever being this behind before. What’s a gal to do?
First, I make sure I meet real deadlines, like filing the Georgia sales tax form on time. Publisher deadlines are important to meet, as are scheduled appearances (in person and online).
Then comes the hard part, prioritizing the rest of my to-do list. Meals and household stuff must get done daily. Spending time with family is also a priority for me. Then comes writing, marketing, exercise, church, personal time, and volunteering. Getting the right balance or blend of activities is always a challenge, which can vary weekly, sometimes daily.
I’d love to hear from you. How do you prioritize your time?
And while you’re deciding, here’s a link to Sonny and Cher singing “The Beat Goes On.” https://youtu.be/fegr2-q-Z2g
psst: Don’t forget our February spectacular giveaway! We have a Samsung Galaxy Tablet that could be yours! Entries begin February 1 and close Feb. 18. This link won’t be active until Wednesday, Feb 1: http://bookloversbench.com/win-a-samsung-galaxy-tablet-feb-2017/
Posted in Let's Talk, with Maggie Toussaint • Tags: BLB Discussion, Goals, Let's Talk, Maggie Toussaint, Priorities, Sonny and Cher, The Beat Goes On | 14 Comments
I am a list person. At the beginning of every month, I develop a list of goals for the month. At the beginning of each week I create a “promised” and “optional” list and each morning I create my list for the day. I also have an electronic “to do” list for routine things to remind me of those (like paying the GA & MI sales taxes on time.)
I didn’t know we were list buddies, Jim, but you have my admiration for keeping up with two states’ worth of rules and regulations about sales. I did that for awhile with Maryland and Georgia. Now I’m glad I only have one state to please.
I have to admit I gave up trying to get everything done. At the day job, I built electronic tools to prioritize the work that needs to get done, but because of all the things I have to get done, I bite off one piece at a time with the rest of it. For those things that HAVE to get done in a specific timeframe, I just sit down and do it. The rest of it I fit in as I can.
Your plan of attack seems like a good one to me, Karla. I like that you have the discipline to follow through on getting time-sensitive tasks done on schedule. My goal is to stay on top of time-limited tasks because otherwise it gets buried in the quicksand of my office.
Badly. I have a list I keep losing. A calendar I keep losing. Time I keep losing. Every year I keep hoping I get it together. This year is not looking better, alas.
Ha! You are SO not a list person! But I love that you try:)
I’m the worst. I get very little done. I could make a list, but the only one I follow is the grocery list. Maggie is a whiz.
You are sweet to say that, but I happen to think you are also a whiz at so many things. Like book covers, for one. Yours are always awesome.
I make lists. Anything with a looming deadiine gets done first. Some projects are ongoing and can be put aside. Otherwise, I’ll go down the list and check things off when done. When that list is finished, I will happily toss it away and then decide what comes next.
Now I know how you get so much done. You make a list and then you work until all the tasks are done! You’re my hero!
If I’m going to use a list, I like reverse lists. When I finish something, I write it down. The longer the list, the more I’ve accomplished. But most of the time I cross my fingers and hope I don’t forget something important. I use the sticky notes app on my computer to help me remember things, or reminders on my calendar.
The link for James M Jackson for amazon is not working i went there manually !
Thanks for letting me know Peggy — I’ll see what the issue is.
I try to keep lists. I like using Alexa to schedule my shopping list and to-do lists. I also make sure to mark my appointments on my calendar in my phone. Hope I don’t lose my phone!