I send some people into a sort of frantic immobility when I talk lists. They feel limited, impaired or suffocated...Their creativity squelched. Others are analyzing weaknesses my schedule may have...the imperfect lines, the non uniform font maybe, or possibly just the type of things that I schedule. But then there are people who drop into a trance of defeat. It's as if they assume they should want one - a schedule, that is, or try for one, but they are convinced it wouldn't last longer than a day and so they refrain from ever writing it out.
Well, maybe you are too free spirited for a list. What a fun ride your days must be! But I happen to be the opposite and have to write it ALL out, in order to ever feel free, let alone semi successful. See, its not that I wouldn't love to be a non-list person. How wild and spontaneous it must be...to seize opportunities at a moments notice or be a YES friend without ever consulting your calendar. I envy your ability to serve more freely and perhaps even live more Spirit Filled! But in my almost 36 years of life, I've come to know and appreciate the power of a list. See God created my eclectic personality quite uniquely and although I feel blessed with a few skills and gifts, I have NO large talent. No skill that exceeds most others. No super power. And with a lot of small scale gifts comes a lot of interest. And with a lot of interests comes an easily distracted mind. But I digress...
Back to a school schedule. I spent quite a few early years with big plans for read alouds and projects and crafts and workbooks that never came to fruition. I would forget all about yesterdays plans when todays messes and quarrels and "training opportunities" happen. And with failed plans comes guilt and with guilt comes complacency and complacency has very little drive, ambition or goals. Believe me, there is not a lot of JOY sparked from that environment!
Thus, the schedule.
I don't think there is magic in a certain type of schedule. A unique plan for unique women. But if you're like me, and staying on track is tricky. Or, also like me, and every different style and print out and schedule looks like you should try them...stop. take a second and decide on your goals for that cute little 2nd grader and his stubborn sister. What do you want them to learn this year? What time of day do they learn best. Write it all out. Make a list! And then edit your list. Include chores/life skills/Bible time/snack time. You may be super woman, but I am not. I can't hope to get my goals met if I don't remember what my goals were!
So make a list. The last 4 years, I've made a unique list EVERY morning. I couldn't think beyond the day without getting overwhelmed, but if my day didn't have structure, there was no point in even starting!
This year, we have a calendar that looks different most days, but the same every week. There is no "One Size Fits All". You do You.
So maybe you don't need any added structure to your well functioning life. But if you do. Maybe try a list.
And then when you get "good" at having a list, you can scrap it all for the day, and Go to the Beach instead. :)
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