Today is National Homemade Bread Day! I’ll bet you are wondering two things – 1) is there really a National Homemade Bread Day and 2) what in the world does this have to do with time management?
A few years ago, I decided to make homemade bread as gifts for Christmas. I’m not a baker, but I had the next best thing, a bread machine! So, I decided I could certainly follow the instructions and create beautiful loaves of bread. Each person in my family received a different flavor or bread – based on the flavor packet I pulled out of the box.
Now, of course, I wasn’t able to taste each loaf of bread. The recipient would certainly notice a slice missing right out of the middle! But again, how hard could it be? I had a bread machine!
Fast forward a few hours. Surprised (and somewhat wary) family members open their homemade gifts. My sister (the brave one!) decides to cut into her loaf, Sweet Hawaiian Bread. The bread was dense enough to be used as a door stopper.
After some evaluation I realized I didn’t let the bread rise enough.
I’ve written many posts about my 3 step system to create change, A.W.E. The purpose of evaluation stage is to figure out what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to change for the future.
Once I identify what went wrong, it’s time to determine what’s next.
- Do I want to perfect my bread making skills?
- Do I want to learn how to create a different homemade gift?
- Or, do I want to scrap the idea entirely?
Well, upon some reflection, I realized I really was not ready or willing to make the change needed to be a great baker. I don’t have the interest. I don’t have the dedication. I don’t have the desire. And that’s OK!
Having the awareness around a challenge and knowing the steps needed to overcome the challenge is only part of the battle. You must also be ready and willing to make the change. Sometimes I’ll have conversations with adults who will explain how busy their lives are. They will share with me just how frustrated they are by all the activities they have on their plate. So we will talk about various action steps they can take to lessen their schedule.
They complete the first stage of A.W.E. – awareness. We discuss strategies in stage two – work. But the implementation falls short, because they just aren’t ready to make a change. They are still in the “I want to carry around my ‘busyness’ as a badge of honor” stage, instead of in “I’ve had all I can take, I’m ready to change” stage.
Creating change is being aware of your need, knowing the steps to fix it, and having the desire to take action.
Miss one step – and the desired outcome stalls. Whatever phase you are in, it’s OK! Being able to identify – and accept the phase – is where the value is!
If you are ready and willing to make a change, but are wondering HOW, I invite you to schedule a complimentary strategy session. I pride myself in creating and adapting solutions for all of my clients. Sign up for a No Obligation Find More Time Strategy Session. During this session you will gain clarity on your goals, uncover the hidden obstacles to your success, and leave energized to design the life of your dreams. You are guaranteed to have at least one Ah-Ha moment and actionable idea that will catapult your plan to success. What do you have to lose?
What is a recent change that you have made? What is an area you’ve decided you aren’t ready or willing to change, and you are at peace with that decision. Please share!
I actually laughed out loud at the bread doorstep image. Wonderful story to introduce your concept.
Interesting process. I´m at the aware stage now but life is so interesting that I keep piling up things to do. :)
Paula –
I’m so glad I could provide a laugh! Though it’s been years, I’m reminded each Christmas about my attempt at bread making! The awareness stage is a stage full of rich learning, if we just slow down enough to appreciate it! I appreciate the comment!
Lisa
I LOVE your bread example! I love to try lots of different things, but, if after one try the whole thing was a miserable experience, then I don’t attempt it again. I find someone else who is good at it! Life’s too short :)
I agree! I live in an area with a lot of Amish, so if I ever want to give homemade bread as gifts – I have plenty of places to purchase them! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Lisa
This reminds me of when I asked my best friend to teach me how to sew. I thought it would be an amazing skill to have, and she’s sewn quilts, handbags and more, so I wanted to do the same. About 20 minutes into our lesson, I was bored to tears and wanted out.
What did I learn? That some things may look awesome and tempting on the outside, but they may not fit me.
I love learning new things, and I’ve realized that I don’t need to achieve expert level just to better myself.
Keri –
Giggle! Sewing, cooking, scrapbooking, making jewelry, these are all activities I think I WANT to do, until I actually START to do them! Then I realize – not my cup of tea, and that’s ok! But, I don’t know it until I try!
Lisa
That sounds like me, I had a couple bread machines…they are not necessarily miracle workers. I have had some not so great results as well and after a few decided that it was not something that I was very interested in. But really since reading this post, my senses has kicked in and I would love to have that aroma in my kitchen with raisin-cinnamon bread. But I do believe all the bread machines are gonna from my home.Loved the post!
LOL, I was so curious to read your post Lisa after reading the title! Awesome awesome comparison of concepts! I somehow know when I need to give up on something and when I need to push some more to get through. It’s that something inside us that tells us, right, call it intuition or what…
Thanks for sharing this story, very inspirational!
Delia –
I agree – when we slow down long enough to listen to our intuition – we know when to give up and when to push through. It’s when we start to think “I should” vs. “I want” that we get into trouble! I appreciate the comment!
Lisa
I love your example of the homemade bread, Lisa! I was also curious about the article after reading the title. It is an awesome comparison. .
Robin –
Yeah! Glad the title created some curiosity! :) I realize that homemade bread and change may not initially have much in common . . . but boy they did for me! :) I appreciate the comment!
Lisa
I think this is so true that many people “wear their busyness as a badge of honor”…but it really is putting and keeping them in the role of a victim. We all have the same hours in a day, some people just prioritize better. Great comparison!
Deanna –
I agree . . . I’m “so busy” is totally victim mentality. I prefer to say, “I choose to spend my time . . .” :) I appreciate the comment!
Lisa
I recently started tidying the house for 30 minutes everyday. I\’ve found that the house stays much tidier when I do this rather than doing this in addition to the housework on a weekly basis.
Carol –
Great evaluation – way to figure out what works for you! In addition to staying tidier, I’m curious, do you enjoy the process better? (Splitting it up vs doing it all at once?)
Lisa
[…] fall into the “I’d rather not bake” category. (For a pretty amusing story – and more info on why I don’t bake check out my previous post expla… However, I still have a need for Christmas cookies . . . holiday parties, work gatherings for my […]