I recently heard an organizational expert say that if you are feeling overwhelmed by a task then you should set aside just 10 minutes a day to devote to that task. The theory is that those ten minutes every day will get you on track and help you to feel like you’re making progress without taking up a huge chunk of time.
I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by my fiber stash so last week I decided to apply this principle to spinning. And you know what? It works! 10 minutes a day for the past 10 days has produced a lot.
I have finished a skein of icelandic.
And have singles of Spunky Club “Think Spring” ready to ply.
I’ve spun up one of two braids from last year’s Rhinebeck haul.
And I’ve made progress on a Corriedale Bond X fleece.
There has also been progress on some Indigo Moon alpaca and silk.
I’ll admit that many of those 10 minute sessions have wound up lasting longer than 10 minutes but that’s okay. The point is to just set aside those 10 minutes and sit down at the wheel. If it’s longer, that’s fine. If it’s only 10 minutes, that’s fine, too.
The bottom line, though, is that I’m learning that 10 minutes a day can really make a difference. I’m still feeling a bit overwhelmed by my fiber stash but you can be sure that won’t be stopping me from going to Massachusetts Sheep & Wool this weekend. Just saying.
Hi. I read your blog everyday but don’t think I have ever commented. Just wanted to say that I too will be going to the Mass. Sheep and Wool Festival. We live in New Jersey but my brother lives in the next town over from Cummington and his kids are showing their Cotswold sheep in the fair. I will be the tall, curly headed woman who will be ignoring her kids 😉 and will be loaded down with purchases. I will also be trying to calm my germophobe husband who isn’t too fond of farm animals and will spend his day asking his kids if they’ve washed their hands. (I’ll probably end up ignoring him too.) Hope I bump in to you! Have fun.
Carolyn
heh heh
You have made some impressive production there in 10 minutes/day! I’ll have to take up that system in a few arenas of my life…. do you think a house can get clean in 10 minutes/day???? Hope, hope hope!
Ok impressive progress with the spinning but, more exciting, which day at Mass S&W? I’ll be book signing on Sunday morning 10-12, then hanging out- please tell me you are going Sunday???
Wow! I’ve come to the same conclusion this week. If you don’t spin you won’t get rid of fiber and you won’t make yarn. I’ve filled three bobbins this week alone. Good work! I’m slightly envious over Cummington…wish I could hang with my NE fiber buds.
Thanks for the 10 minute tip. It looks like you have several wheels set up for your session each day. 😀 Maybe I need another wheel, eh?
You go grrl! That is some nice spinning :-). I always tell the people I teach to spin, to spin 15 minutes a day instead of an hour once a week 🙂
Have fun in Cummington! It’s just a wee bit too far for me to travel down to.
Very pretty spinning! Have some fun for me this weekend. I’ll be in Amherst at graduation instead.
Beautiful spinning!! Hmmm…10 minutes you say?
Very pretty! I’m past due for a 10 minute session. Do you keep all of your wheels in one room or are they scattered around the house?
Beautiful spinning! 10 minutes at a time sounds very doable. Maybe I can get my daughter to clean her room that way.
That’s great progress, Carole. And, to think, when I feel overwhelmed with my stash, I do 4-5 HOURS an evening. And it really does make a difference. And I have nice calves, too. 😉
What if you only spent 10 minutes at the festival? I’m so envious of all your fiber festivals….
Wow, those are absolutely beautiful. Except the indigo moon. Its horrible. Really. You should give to me to dispose of quickly 😉
Good to see your priorities are in order!
Have fun! And yummy spinning, btw.
Beautiful yarn you’ve spun! By the end of this year I will be spinning, I’m determined 🙂
I’ll be at the MA Sheep and Wool Fair on Sunday. Have a family BBQ to attend on Saturday. Hope our paths cross again 🙂
I really should try cleaning the house for 10 minutes a day 😉
It looks like all your various wheels are being put to use, too, which is a wonderful thing. You wouldn’t want some of them to get jealous, after all. 😉
Lovely lovely, I particularly like the spunky fiber.
Wow, is that three spinning wheels I see? Lovely spinning, Carole, I can’t wait to see all the final yarns! And I think I need to dig that Icelandic out of my stash and spin ‘er up.
Good idea about the 10 minutes a day. Cummington will probably be a last minute decision for me – mind me asking where you found a room?
Your spinning is lovely, as per usual.. and what a great idea. I hope to get back to my wheel someday soon.
Great tip. I try to apply this thinking to cleaning out my work e-mail box, and usually end up spending more than 10 minutes (but still make questionable progress..)
Your finished products are just lovely!
WOW! That’s a lot!!! Congrats!
(((hugs)))
I was reading your intro and thinking I should do that with spinning. I can’t remember the last time I picked up my spindle.
I really do live on the wrong coast. I miss out on all the cool stuff and people living in California. Then again, I’ve never shoveled snow. *L*
XO
Wow that’s impressive! Maybe I should give that 10 minute thing a try.
Hopefully I’ll see you this weekend. If not, I hope you have a great time! :o)
Look at you! I’m going to have to remember that 10-minute trick.
It must sure help to have those wheels so you can do a little bit of everything!
I’m going to have to try that 10 minute trick but first I’ll have to find a spare 10 minutes. Good job making room for the new fiber. that is the point isn’t it? 😉
Nice throughput! I’m impressed with the range, and the uniformity.
See you on Saturday!
Hmmm…sounds like the Anne Lamott “Bird by Bird” theory of getting things done, which actually makes sense.
Of course I’d get more done if I hadn’t left my knitting bag at the HOSPITAL. 35 freakin’ miles away. Sigh.
I can’t go to MASW, but I can adopt your method, and I’d better, because Fiber Frolic is coming up and I am going to that.
(Conan wants me to tell you that a rule is a principle; a chief is a principal.)
Yah, I’ve been saying I need to get out and do an HOUR a day on the weeds. Maybe 10 minutes would be more likely to actually get done. Hm.
No no, just because you are overwhelmed doesn’t mean you don’t need to go pet and play with more. 🙂 Yummy stuff, all of it!
Oh, I like your ten-minute thing…think I’ll try that with my address book which is so far behind!!!!!
Love all the spinning you’ve done!!
What a brilliant idea! I’m going to adopt that concept immediately. Why was I thinking I needed to do hour blocks? Silly me. Although, I’m sure my 10 minutes will turn in to an hour. 😉
What wonderful fiber you’ve been spinning and I love the Icelandic… Bee-U-tiful!
How beautiful! I wish I could fly out for the fiber fest. Have fun.
I wish that system worked with writing projects with very-soon deadlines. Alas, I am screwed.
Hmmm…maybe I need to apply the 10-minute theory to blogging. 🙂
As I was reading your post (and looking at all the spinning you did), all I could think was, “Now you can go out & purchase MORE fiber!”
Lovely spinning! One of these days I must get to Cummington!!
That’s a good idea. It looks like it it working well for you too.
Maybe I will try your strategy this week.