This really should be easier!

Yesterday I wanted to look for a class at my local rec center. I had taken tai chi before, but it was at an inconvenient location so I didn't continue. I wanted to see if the class was scheduled at the center just a mile from my house.

I went to the web site (which was hard to find since it's part of one of those complicated city URLs). I could either download PDFs of each category of classes, or register for the class online. This was where I ran into the first roadblock. I'm not sure what category the class would fall under, and I don't want to download a bunch of PDFs looking for it.

The only way I found a search feature was through the registration system. But before I got there, I needed to log in. I couldn't remember my user name and password, and there were too many hoops I couldn't get through to retrieve it by email. I needed either my User ID (which I couldn't remember) or my Household ID Number (which was supposed to be on the receipt that I couldn't find from my previous class). I also needed to know what my favorite food and my favorite color was (or at least what I told them they were when I registered before. I don't remember answering those questions before, by the way).

I decided to log in as Guest. I couldn't register for anything, but at least I could look around. Ah Ha! A search function! I could search activities by listing or by type. Hmmmm... let's try "listing." OMG! A list of over 1000 classes in alphabetical order came up, with a "search by activity number" at the top. How was I supposed to know what the activity number was!?

Okay, so let's search by type. Would tai chi be under Adult Activities or Fitness General? Well I didn't find it under Adult Activities, although I did find a bellydancing class that might be fun. Two sessions of tai chi were listed under Fitness General, along with information about the class, fees, how many have already registered, the instructor with his photo -- but no location!

So now I have 3 choices -- I can look for the course catalog that I probably got in the mail, contact the rec center by phone or email, or just forget about it altogether. I'll have to contact the rec center to get my login information anyway.

This process should be so much easier! I registered online for a class at the local community college yesterday and it was so simple and straight forward. It only took me a few minutes.

I think I'll just forget this one for now.

That Damn DAM!

I'm now into the break halfway through the 4-week Work Smarter, Not Harder class. The next assignment was to organize my work process. We do this by creating a DAM.

The DAM is supposed to keep you focused on one thing at a time, only what's in front of you. You put things into your DAM according to when you need to work on them - today, this week, next week, next month, etc.

I'm learning to work with this new system. I can see the value in using it, how it can help keep you focused and organized. My problem is that I find myself moving things around, putting things in, taking things out. Since it's still a new system for me, I keep thinking of stuff that needs to be in there - some small task or project I'd forgotten. I'm sure the process will get better as I get caught up, but for now, I just keep adding to it.

Sometimes I really don't want to work on what's in my DAM. I'd much rather do something else - like clean the oven or water the plants rather than bookkeeping or filing. But I love the sense of accomplishment when I've moved things out of my Today file - not because I'm postponing them or procrastinating, but because I actually got something done. I'm also beginning to get things out of my head and into a system. I don't worry so much about things falling through the cracks, or dropping one of the many balls I'm juggling each day.

Yes, it takes discipline. And I'm hoping this will give me some balance in my life. I'll keep you posted.