Yes, I know I’m late getting started, and that’s why I chose “Time Management” for my challenge for January. Fitting, yes? I knew you’d like it.

So there are a few things about me, and my time management woes, that are basic fact:

1. I have a LOT of work. Work I’m responsible to others for, and work I’m responsible to myself for. A LOT of work.
2. The economy has struck close to home. Boyfriend’s on unemployment (which in the state of NY, is running out very very fast) and he’s trying to start his own thing at this point. Until that takes off, I’m not only working on a few large contracts, but trying to use the necessity of making more money (and relax a bit in expressing myself creatively) with my jewelry and polymer clay (classes and sales).
3. The more stressed I get, the less productive I am. Yes, I’m the occasional midnight-oil-burning type when it comes to deadlines, but when it comes to my own personal work goals, they always suffer.

These are things I need to take control of, and fast, before I burn the hell out and jump a plane to some near-deserted island.

So my challenge this month is to work on scheduling. Some of my goals in this challenge are:

1. Get all client work out of the way daily, by using a daily to-do sheet.
2. End client work no later than 2pm.
3. Do my own work (whatever I decide that might be each day, via a second to-do list) from 2pm until 5pm.
4. End my work day no later than 6pm.
5. Stop working on client work on the weekends unless vitally important. If something does need to be done on the weekend, set aside a chunk of time, do it then, and walk away.
6. Use my evenings and weekends to spend more time with my boyfriend, friends, and family. (I sure don’t do that enough, and it hurts my heart.) If there’s nothing going on, or if I’ve got no one to hang with, then use that time to work on creative projects (painting, clay, and jewelry).

My intention is to do a status report post each day (or as close to it as humanly possible). So whaddaya say? We’ve got two weeks left in January to nail this. They say it only takes 7 days to create a new habit, so I’m all in it to win it at this point! Care to join me?

You can chime in in the comments, and then give your status update in the comments on future posts, or better yet, start the same on your own blog for accountability (if you do, let us know in the comments here so anyone else can join in with you). Let’s see if we can work together to really kick ass in 2011!

First, My 2010 Wrapup

I just have to say that this year has had so many ups and downs for me. On a work level, I lost clients, gained new clients, got overloaded with work to the point where I truly wish I had another person to delegate to, spoke at Blog World Expo for the first time, and in recent months hooked up with a fabulous new media company that’s doing some really exciting things in the world of the web.

I’m now officially the Community Manager for Country Time Lemonade, in addition to being the CM for ProBlogger. Working with Kraft Foods, Inc. has already been such an exciting, wonderful experience, and I’m really looking forward to what 2011 is going to bring with our campaigns. ProBlogger is also getting some major additional attention this year, as we’re working on editorial calendars to produce even more fantastic content for our subscribed members. If you’ve not joined in yet, now’s the time!

I’ve actually had to make the conscious decision to not take on any new web development clients at this point. I’m still doing consulting, and social media/community management, but things are a little different around here these days and I seriously no longer have time to build or rebuild any websites.

Offline, I’m still making jewelry and teaching classes. It’s fun, relaxing, makes some extra cash, and gives me a reason to step away from the computer sometimes. Although stay tuned in 2011 for how I’ll be incorporating this into my online world even more.

And as for my life in general? Despite the ups and downs that everyone I know is going through, my heart is full. I’m madly in love with my reunited flame from 15 years ago, as of Valentine’s Day 2010. Funny how all this social networking stuff works, eh? We’re living together and are ultimately very happy, with lots of big dreams and goals for our future together. I’ve got an amazing family, wonderful friends, and have made deeper and more meaningful connections with so many this year, both near and far.

Three Words

I’m “stealing” this idea from my friend Chris Brogan, who’s done this every year since 2006. I wanted to do it last year, and had a few other friends who did, and it totally worked for them, so I figured I’ve got no excuses at this point.

The idea is basically that you come up with three words that will define your actions for the year. Rather than setting yourself a goal and a deadline like “I will lose 40 pounds by August,” you choose a word that will guide you toward your reasoning for wanting to achieve that goal.

My three words for 2011 are: Ground. Breath. Tree.

Ground: When you’re grounded, you’re able to focus on immediate things whilst knowing that the other things that are floating in the air are going to be okay until you can get to them. Ground can also be related to gaining ground, catching up, getting ahead, and making “tracks”.

Breath: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” I’ve learned a lot about slowing down and disconnecting this year, like the fact that I need to do more of it. I think over the past year about the times that made me feel the best, and the majority of them had to do with just spending time breathing. The time Erick and I went to the Grafton Peace Pagoda. The nights in bed where I’m drinking tea, crocheting, and watching a movie. Hanging out at a barbecue with our friends and “twirling” with their 5 year old daughter who has all but beaten the Stage IV Neuroblastoma (Cancer) she was born with. This also applies to reactions and taking a breath before having one. Sometimes I think Erick has the patience of a saint to be with me when I get stressed out.

Tree: Aside from the fact that my “Trees” are one of my jewelry series, I’ve always had an affinity for trees. They stretch, reach, grow, hibernate, and are reborn each year just a little stronger and “wiser” than the year before. They’re well-rooted (some would say “grounded”) and yet continue to be a haven for animals, provide food and shade and oxygen, and every single one is different from the next. I’ll let how all this is applying to me be for me, but see how it applies to you.

I wish everyone a very happy, healthy 2011! Please consider participating in “Three Words” and share your posts below in the comments!

I’m so totally obsessed in love with this thing, folks…

Okay so it doesn't really look like this... but how cute!

The one I received is white, and came with an aqua colored insert which I absolutely love…

I got the same set Gabe Taviano did, and am borrowing his photo of the set.

Okay, so as I sip on my homemade, Starbucks cappuccino, let me share with you some awesome details about this machine:

Introducing the new Tassimo T20 Brewbot by Bosch

• Makes coffee, tea, cappuccino, latte, crema, espresso and hot cocoa
• Makes drinks in about 1 minute
• Includes an exclusive flow–through water heater for faster, quieter brewing
• Space saving design ideal for apartments, dorm rooms and countertops
• Smart bar code technology allows the brewer to adjust each beverage with the proper temperature pressure and amount of water
• Weight: 7.08 lbs. Length: 11.0 “; Width: 7.9 “; Depth: 11.8 “
• 1.5 Liter water tank
• Retail Value: $129.99
• www.brewbot.com

SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase a Tassimo T20 Brewbot online here and save $25 and get 2 free T DISCS!
Also available at many fine retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, and more (but the special offer is online at the above link only).

T DISC Technology

Through patented technology developed and designed by Kraft Foods, the TASSIMO brewer reads the bar code printed on each T DISC to ensure optimal brewing conditions, including the exact water amount and temperature. Because the brewing takes place inside the T DISC, consumers can prepare different drinks, one after another, with no flavor transfer from cup to cup. This ensures first-cup freshness and consistent taste every time.

Drink Varieties

TASSIMO is the only Home Brewing system that gives everyone the drink they want, from coffees and teas to rich cappuccinos and lattes. Even hot chocolate. Tassimo offers more than 40 beverage and flavor varieties to satisfy everyone with 13 distinctive beverage brands including Milka, Gevalia, Maxwell House, Suchard, Mastro Lorenzo, Twining’s®, Kenco, Jacob’s, TAZO®, Nabob, Carte Noire and Seattle’s Best Coffee®. TASSIMO even satisfies your coffee-house coffee cravings with a great variety of Starbucks brands – including Cappuccino Primo and Latte Primo.

You know you want one. I mean, seriously… Any coffeehouse style drink, in your own kitchen, with no mess, in under a minute, for a FRACTION of the cost? Hello!

Guess what… I get one to give away! Just check out the rules and regs below and enter to win!!

Giveaway Details

Will choose ONE winner on Friday, December 17th at 8am ET. You’ve got 12 hours to get back to me once I contact you, with your shipping information or another winner will be chosen.

US Residents only, sorry.

Ways to Enter:

1. REQUIRED: Head over to the Tassimo site and find a drink you think you’d like to make, and let me know in a comment. Make sure I can contact you easily if you’ve won.

2. Follow @tassimotaster on Twitter. (Make a separate comment once you do this.)

3. Become a fan of Tassimo on FaceBook. (Make another separate comment once you do this.)

SO that’s it! Good luck, I’m off to make myself another cappuccino!

Disclaimer: I was given a Tassimo T20 Brewbot to review for the purpose of this post. Opinions are solely mine, and were not influenced or guided by Tassimo in any way. I was not paid, except for receiving the machine.

We have a WINNER!

Angeli119 is the winner of the Tassimo T20 Brewbot! I’ll be in touch via email to get your shipping address!

Thanks to all who participated! Don’t forget you can get $25 off and two free T-Discs by clicking here ~> http://bit.ly/Tassimo25