Back timing my life

In television news, producers 'back time a show.' There is a hard start time and a hard out time given to them. You do not want to step on either of these two times if you know what's good for you. The last thing you want to do is miff Dr. Phil or Brian Williams!

Then the producer sandwiches in their stories, promos, teases, commercials, sports, weather, etc., and hope to end their show right on time!

Sounds easy, but trust me, sometimes its hard to do depending on the reading swiftness or slowness of a news anchor, breaking news, spontaneity of a live shot, the list is endless.

On a daily basis, I feel like I am back timing my life. There are certain things I MUST fit in and tend to every day. I make a list of things to do. At the end of the day, though exhausted, I've only crossed off a few things on my original list...but have completed a myriad of unexpected, non-scripted actions and requests thrown my way through the course of the day.

People say, 'sit back, take it easy, and relax.' Or 'don't take on so much.' The funny thing is that NO is a very prevalent part of my vocabulary these days. I have not taken on too much. It's just the normal daily responsibilities that creep up and pounce and those 'unexpected emergencies' that really sock you!

There are days when I literally do not have a minute to spare. It is all timed out perfectly. I will get up at this time, normal morning drill, shower at this time and the shower can not go over 8 minutes, etc., etc. It's amazing how if one action is not timed perfectly and kept on schedule, my tower of cards comes tumbling down!

I am in the midst of a 'make it or break it week." On one hand, I LOVE these deadline weeks because they keep me on my toes and accomplish so much. On the other hand, there is absolutely no time to come up for air, no room for error.

Looking into my crystal ball, It would be nice to have everything on my long laundry list crossed off by the time "The Iron Chef" comes on Sunday night so I can kick back, relax and rev up for yet another 'make it or break it week!'