I want to make extra $$$. I need to plunk my fanny down and sit and sew, but my discipline seems to vanish on the weekend.

During the week it's much better probably because I have to plan around work. I sew for about 1-1/2 hours before work and about an hour in the evening.

I've decided to eat healthier so that means if I don't sit on the computer in the evenings I won't munch and will sew longer than that hour. I'll trade munching for sewing.

But the weekends? Between cleaning, shopping, laundry, errands, this and that, my sewing time is practically nil. Then Monday morning I'm upset at myself because the previous Friday the plan worked well in my head but didn't pan out.

How do you disicipline your weekends? How do you stay focused? Help! Only eight hours until bedtime... :roll:

First, how many hours do you want to spend sewing on the weekend? You need rest & relaxation, too, and you're sewing all week, so why not start with just 4 - 6 hours total for a weekend. Decide on a specific time or times. It doesn't have to be the same time each day. Maybe Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Maybe combine it with laundry time, so you're sewing while things are washing and drying. Or with TV time.

If I have a weekend off it is a hardest for me to quilt. Too much to do around the house. I understand where you are coming from.

Interested to see what others have to say. I just piddled this weekend away but the last two weeks have been pretty hard at work so I've justified it by saying that I must have needed the rest...
Good luck with your quest,
lots2do

I don't seem to ever be disciplined on weekends because DH & I never have any specific plans, but seem to be on the go all day Saturdays. But what worked for us at one time was to not save all the shopping for the weekend. Pick one night a week and do some of your shopping that night.

I wish I was able to get 2 1/2 hours sewing a day in! I think that's great.

Very interesting topic. Since I am pretty much unemployed, with the exceptions of a few odd jobs here and there I have found I have no motivation. I used to be so good at tackling the To Do List, I used to be a real go getter..the lists have fallen by the way side. I have learned as much as I like being on my own I also need to have alittle pressure to get stuff done.
I think somewhere on the board someone else said if you really want to do something you will find/make the time. look at all the other things you do and see what can be trimmed as far as time.
I wish you all the luck and anxiously see what others have to say.

Discipline - hm, I remember my Mom telling me that she always had trouble with me in that department. The word alone is like a red flag to me - so, sorry, can't really help.

How's this for motivation? Imagine him standing in your sewing room and shouting at you, "Sew, little girl...if you want spending money..this ain't no sweatshop"...LOL

OMG...R. Lee Ermmy!! DH loves him!! He used to have a show that had to do with guns and military stuff (Mail Call). DH used to record it. I haven't seen a new episode lately though. He actually is fun to watch, but he will keep you motivated!!

Skip the cleaning!

I work out of my home (teaching sewing and quilting)so I try to focus on family on the week ends. Sometimes if nothing is going on I can sew on Sat or Sun. Got to clean house some time. Before I left my job I cleaned house every Sat before sewing, now...................it's cleaned when I can't stand it any more. I mean really cleaned. I do quickie cleans on class days. DH doesn't complain or notice if the house isn't clean. I can't stand clutter so that helps. I can stay focused when I'm working on a quilt. Just finished a top, was hoping I had something for the back, but rats I don't.

Unlike you, weekends are the only time I get sewing done. That means I must organize myself, including my mind, to be in a sewing mode.

It helps the most when DH does the housecleaning for me on Friday. If he doesn't, I do it first and then sew. Laundry happens during sewing time and folding provides little movement breaks for me. If there's really a lot of other stuff to do, I try to get it all done on Saturday so I can spend Sunday at the machine.

It's very annoying when we have weekends like my last one, where we go into town and end up spending two nights there. So sad, weekend is gone by the time I get home.

instead of timing yourself, try portioning off the jobs. for instance, tell yourself "i'll get this thing done before i shower". or "i'll get this done before i wash the dishes". "i'll do that while i prepare my dinner". the time will take care of itself and you won't feel so rushed. also, where is your machine? maybe it needs to be closer to the .... where? kitchen? laundry? t.v.? make it easy to plop down for a few minutes at a time. one block here, one there.