3 tips to simplify your life

We all have SOOO much to do every day. Not only is it difficult to get it all finished, it can even be difficult to start! In order to have a balanced life, you need to manage your time correctly otherwise you'll be stressed out, burnt out and frazzled!

Here are the top 3 things I do to make sure my home, my work, my family and my life run smoothly:

1. Eat your frogs every day

Every day, make a list of things to do. Then do the most important task first. It often seems like that one is also the most difficult task. Once that is out of the way, your day gets better and the rest is a breeze.

This way, even if you don't finish everything on the list, the most important tasks will always be done.

2. Remember Parkinson's Law

Parkinson's Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

Many times we don't know how long something will take so we allow hours and hours for simple tasks. If you genuinely don't know, then start keeping a time log for tasks you do routinely, like writing a weekly running errands, cleaning, emailing, or doing certain projects at work.

Once you have an idea of how long regular tasks take, set a timer when you do them in the future and aim to complete in that set time, every time.

3. Have monthly, weekly and daily checklists

For anything you do more than once, make a list as you go along.

Your daily checklist could include: running specific errands, meetings, appointments, etc. Your weekly checklists could include: menu planning, grocery shopping, cleaning, trash, planning the week ahead, etc. Your monthly checklist could include: vacation/holiday planning, yard/home projects, upcoming events with your children, etc.

This is so that you don't waste time having to rethink your steps of action every day, week or month, or worse still, you forget to do something important. I suggest that you have some self-care items on your lists too. Set aside time to read, craft, watch a favorite program, exercise, etc. Also, make sure to make time for planning the day and week ahead!

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If you start implementing these 3 tips on a consistent basis, I guarantee that you'll free up at least two hours a day. I'd rather spend an extra two hours with my family; wouldn't you?