I had the opportunity to sit in on two of Heidi St. John’s sessions at the Teach Them Diligently conference this past weekend. And while I gleaned a lot of different things from both of them, one phrase she said in the time management session has etched itself forever in my memory:

“You don’t have a time management problem. You have a ME management problem.”

Gulp.

How often I want to blame being behind and disorganized on the lack of time, the overloaded schedule, or the alarm clock that failed to go off? I’ve got a dozen excuses, but very rarely do any of them involve ME.

A bad system is not the problem.

An unreliable clock is not the problem.

A too-full schedule is not the problem.

I am the problem.

That’s bad news, but it’s also good news. You know why? Because if I’m the problem that means I’m also the solution.

Fixing my time management issues doesn’t start with a new system, a better clock, or a less-full schedule. It starts with me.

Once I own that I am the problem, I can then begin implementing a solution.

For more helpful time management tips and suggestions, check out my Time Management 101 series and my ebook, 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life.

photo credit

Local Health Food Store

6 Oranges @ 3/$1 – $2 total

2.25 lbs Gala Apples @ $0.99/lb - $2.23 total

Organic Cucumbers (2 pk) – $0.79 total

Organic Green Bell Peppers (2 pk) – $0.79 total

Carrots (2 lb bag) – $0.79 total

Total with tax: $7.08 

Aldi

1 Gallon Milk – $1.99

1 Roma Tomatoes – $1.19

Total with tax: $3.41 

Dillon’s

1 Dillons Bread – $1

2 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta - $1 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 4/28 SmartSource insert – $0.50 each after coupon

1 Fruttare Frozen Bars – $4.99, used Free Dillons e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon

1 Sargento Sliced Cheese – $2.50, used $1/1 catalina coupon – $1.50 after coupon

1 Kroger Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $1.67

1 Kroger Butter – $2.29 (that’s cheaper than Aldi right now!)

1 Yoplait Trix Yogurt (4 pk) - Marked down to $1.19 (I wished I would have had a coupon for this.)

1 Dannon Activia Yogurt (12 pk) – Marked down to $1 (Amazing price for a 12 pk!)

1 Nestle Hot Chocolate – Marked down to $1.59 (I needed this for a get-together I’m hosting.)

1 Post Great Grains Cereal – $2.69, used $1/1 catalina coupon – $1.69 after coupon (My Mom gave me this coupon as she knows this is one of my very favorite cereals and since I haven’t had it in months, I couldn’t wait for a better deal. Yum!)

French Yellow Mustard – $1.25, used $0.50/1 coupon from the 5/12 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $0.25 after coupon

2 Yakisoba Ramen Noodles – $1 each, used 2 $0.50/1 coupon from the 5/19 insert (doubled) – Free after coupons

1 U by Kotex Liners – $1.49, used $2/1 printable (no longer available) – Free after coupon

3 Special K Cereal Bars – $2.99 each, received $3 instant savings at register for buying 3, used 3 $0.70/1 printables - $0.99 each after coupons and instant savings

1 (5 lb bag) Potatoes – $1.99

1 can Kroger Black Beans – $0.69

Total before coupons and sales: $47.38

Total with tax after coupons: $20.72

Total for all grocery items: $31.21

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Oatmeal, Toast, Cereal, Fruit, Yogurt, Cinnamon Roll Cake

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Carrot & Zucchini Bars (I’ll be slightly tweaking this recipe), Leftovers, Yogurt, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruits & Veggies

Dinners

Spaghetti, Sliced Oranges, Steamed Broccoli, Toast

Broccoli & Cheese Quiche, Steamed Cauliflower, 30-Minute Rolls

Mini German Pancakes, Grapefruit (from my mom)

Cheesy Enchilada Casserole, Tossed Salad

Chicken & Rice Casserole, Apples, Green Beans

Shepherd’s Pie, Biscuits, Sweet Corn, Tossed Salad

Date Night (eat out)