Jill Farmer: Book Writer; "There's Not Enough Time"

Jill Farmer was the consumer reporter on KTVI-Fox 2 for 10 years. Raising two daughters and tending to her family in Creve Coeur, she switched to a career as as Life Coach and wrote her first book "There's Not Enough Time," and other lies we tell ourselves.

Watch Jill's brief U Tube video about organizing your life.

Patch caught up to Farmer for a 1 on 1 interview:

Patch.com. What was the inspiration for your book?

Jill Farmer. It really started with my own life. I think when I left that high paid job in TV news (consumer reporter for KTVI-Fox2)  I thought if I could change my circumstances, then I thought I would have more time to do all the things I wanted to do in my life.

I like to say after I stayed home for six months that I hit rock bottom. Even though I didn’t have all the external challenges of my time, when I was working, I still managed to feel overwhelmed and frenzied and felt like I was still spinning in that hamster wheel.

That’s when I started looking inside to figure out why I still wasn’t accomplishing what I wanted to accomplish every day.

Patch: How long did it take to write the book? 

JF: The book writing process was the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done.

It was a full year of hard work. It was extremely interesting once I delved into the book and started using my own journalistic reporting skills. I started asking people questions and I found more data, more information that would unfold. I was doing a lot of speaking at the time as I continue to do now and people have shared a lot of tools with me.

People would come up with fantastic anecdotes that would fit perfectly into what I was putting into the book.

As much work as it was, it just felt like it was meant to be. 

Patch: What was your biggest project prior to writing your first book?

JF: Other than writing a daily story for the 5 and 10 o’clock news, most of the forms of writing I did was blogging. I would guest blog and started my own blog and had a decent following. This is definitely the longest body of work. I did not write a masters’ thesis. It was like having a big term paper due for a class.

Patch: How has the feedback been so for the book so far?

That is what has blown me away. The initial sales in December surpassed all of my expectations. To go into the top 10 of time management books on Amazon.com was far beyond what I initially expected. Moving into February, people who read the book are so on fire about making the shifts in their lives. They give the books to their friends. People want me to come and share with businesses and groups, and that catching on-fire experience is really powerful.

This is one of the most fabulously satisfying things I’ve ever done.

Patch: Do you fill out the worksheets in the book.

JF: I have to admit I am not a worksheet filler-outer. For other people, that is the best way to read and think about it. To ponder the book and fill out the worksheets for some is a a way to take away the message more powerfully but I have to admit I am not the person who does that. Either way is great with me.

Patch: Do most people need a daily organizer to know what they are going to do next?

JF: I wrote in the book  “to do” lists to help people stay in their lanes. A calendar in black and white helps everyone to stay in that lane to help with personal values and visions and priorities.

To do lists can also be used for self abuse if you don’t use them properly. Used properly, a to do list is one of the best organizational tools we have to keep our priorities in check.

Jill Farmer's website.

Tomorrow, more on being a Life Coach, becoming more efficient, productive and meaningful, and of course, where to get a copy of the book.