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Time Constraints Got You Down?

What is stealing your time and tips on how to better manage your time.

Nashville, Ark. – Now that school is back in full swing with ballgames, after school band practice, dance practice, cheerleading practice, and the list goes on and on, do you find there are not enough hours in the day? If you don’t manage your time, it will be managed for you. It will be scheduled and stolen by others who need you.

            In order to be at your best, you must learn to slow down and take time for yourself. To sit on the porch and watch the sun go down may seem unproductive to some – but if it leaves you rejuvenated and ready to give your all to a project, then it is time well spent.

Common Time Wasters

            One of the reasons we don’t accomplish all we would like to is that we allow time wasters to steal our precious hours and minutes. Some common time wasters are:

  • Procrastination: This can be avoided by setting a deadline for yourself, with specific goals. You will be less likely to procrastinate. You might also reward yourself when the job is finished.
  • Misunderstandings: When receiving or giving assignments, make an effort to assure yourself that everyone involved fully understands. If things aren’t done right the first time, when will you have time to do them over?
  • Interruptions: If you need to work in isolation, find somewhere quiet. This may be somewhere away from home. Things to do at home can always get in the way. The phone may ring constantly.
  • Lack of Preparation: Plan before meeting with others. Know what points you need to cover and what answers you want – and expect the same of them.
  • Perfection: Give frank consideration to just how important perfection is to each task facing you. Extreme perfection is an unrealistic use of time. This is not to suggest that you compromise your standards – just be realistic.
  • Clutter: If you can’t find it, you lose considerable time searching. “A place for everything and everything in its place” is ideal. If you must purchase another one, because you can find what you are looking for, is not realistic either.
  • Decisions: If too many basic decisions require your attention, you lose time. Help others to develop the ability to make decisions. Make decisions at the lowest level possible.

Learning to manage your time is a useful leadership skill. This and other leadership topics are offered through the Extension Homemaker programs in Howard County. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Call the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517 or visit our office located on the second floor of the courthouse to learn more about EHC!

                                                                           Recipe of the Week

This recipe was shared by Howard County EHC Council President, Tina Conzel. Tina received Best of Show with this recipe last week at the Howard County Fair. It is delicious!

 

  • Dry Ingredients:

    2 ½ cups peeled and grated carrots                             2 teaspoons salt

    2 cups all-purpose flour                                              1 T. + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    1 ½ cups granulated sugar, packed                             ½ teaspoon allspice

    1 cup pecans, finely chopped                                     ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

               

    Wet Ingredients:

    4 large eggs                                                                

    ¾ cup vegetable oil

    1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    2 teaspoons orange extract (or juice of fresh orange)

     

    Cream Cheese Filling:

    8 ounces full fat cream cheese, softened                    1 teaspoon lemon juice

    ½ cup granulated sugar                                               ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    1 large egg                                                                  2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

     

    Orange Cream Cheese Glaze:

    4 ounces cream cheese, softened                               

    2 T. butter, softened

    3 T. orange juice

    2 teaspoons lemon juice (or juice from fresh orange)

    ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

     

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch bundt cake pan (or use nonstick-spray with flour in it). Set aside.
  2. To make the Cream Cheese Filling, beat the cream cheese and sugar until light and creamy. Beat in remaining filling ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together except carrots. In a separate bowl, gently whisk eggs and then stir in remaining wet ingredients just until combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened, then stir in 2 ½ cups of grated carrots until evenly combined.
  5. Spoon 3 cups batter into prepared bundt cake pan. Spoon cream cheese filling over batter and gently smooth, but do not touch the sides of the pan. Top with remaining batter.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, cover with foil then reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake an additional 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  7. To make the orange cream cheese glaze, using an electric mixer, cream together all the glaze ingredients EXCEPT the powdered sugar on medium speed for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. Add sifted powdered sugar. Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
  8. When cake has cooled, drizzle glaze over cake or individual servings, whisking in additional orange juice/milk if glaze has become too thick upon standing.
  9. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

 

                                                                                                                       

By Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852
(870) 845-7517
jince@uada.edu

 

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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