Anyone who knows me...or who reads this blog, knows that I am a huge fan of "list making". I feel that it is very important to have a tentative plan for the upcoming hours, days, weeks and even months.
For me, these lists give me a chance to relax and concentrate on other (more important) things because I already have "my plan"! Although things don't usually work out exactly as planned, it is still nice to take a few moments to think through my day and feel like I am ready to go.
As I work with clients who constantly seem to be stressed out, fly by the seat of their pants, and wonder why they are always behind and never seem to get anything accomplished, I often find myself implimenting some type of list creation with them. We sit down and figure out the most important areas they want to de-clutter while I am working with them. Then we decide on the 5 most important things for them to do after I leave. And finally, we decide on the 5 most important things for them to do the following day.
It is interesting how in about 5 minutes, and with 5 small steps of action, I can literally see their stress melting away! They FINALLY have a plan and they know where they hope to go, what the end results should be, and when they should accomplish these end results.
I usually get an e-mail or phone call within a few days, thanking me for my work and expressing amazement at how much less stress they had for those few days!! It always makes me smile!
So my challenge to you is to grab a pad of paper and a pen and take 5 minutes to write the 5 most important things for you to do today! Then every evening after dinner and before you go to bed, take 5 minutes to think about the day ahead and write down your top 5 things to do. I guarantee you will sleep better!
This week I thought I'd share a personal experience so that you can learn from my mistakes. I've been thinking about doing things a little differently in my business and with my website. So I decided to consult with other business owners and website designers to gather some opinions.
Well, as you'd expect, this one said this, another said that, still another said a different thing…multiplied by about 10! There were some great ideas in there but I realized that I'd come to a screeching standstill due to overwhelm and I was indecisive.
But this got me thinking - how many times do we feel overwhelmed because other people feel that we should do things but yet it doesn't feel right for us? Things like volunteering for committees, at the children's school, church, etc.
If you feel this way, here are a few things to think about this week:
- Think about areas of your life where you feel overwhelmed.
- Is it the state of your desk, your wardrobe, your children's rooms, or your business?
- Check in and examine why you feel so overwhelmed.
- Is it that you don't know what to do or where to start?
- Take one small action and see how that sits with you.
- Keep building on that action, step by step, until you build momentum and can see your way out.
Feeling overwhelmed with everything on your to-do list? I know the feeling! My list get's longer and longer every day...and because of the warmer weather, I have less desire to do any of it!
I have to remind myself to simplify my to-do list by throwing out all the post-it notes and scraps of paper and instead, focus on a few of the main things I need to accomplish each day.
If you work outside the home, you might want to have 2 lists; one list should be your to do list for work and the other one for home. Each list should only contain the most important things in order to keep your lists short.
The shorter your list, the less overwhelming it will be, and the easier it will be to get started...and that is the hardest part!
Ah, Spring is here! I love living in Michigan, and I love all 4 seasons; but I am ALWAYS ready for Spring to make it's first appearance. This year, the warm weather came a bit early and I am thankful for that. I have already completed several yard projects over the past few weeks and am in the middle of re-landscaping our back yard (it needs it!) I'll post pictures once I am further along.
The only problem with this warm weather is it makes it much more difficult to sit inside cleaning and organizing; I'm sure you can you relate! However, since my job is to motivate my clients and readers to get more organized, I feel that I have to "practice what I preach" and keep my house clean and organized...while still enjoying the warm weather.
One thing that really helps me stay focused is to set mini goals with specific time frames. Some examples are:
clean out the dishwasher and clear the counter tops each night before I go to bed
wipe down the bathroom counter each day after I finish getting ready
de-clutter one area of my closet when I put the laundry away
clean out the refrigerator when I put this week's groceries away
never walk out of a room without picking one thing up
Each of these small tasks can be completed in just a few minutes...and if I consistently follow through with my "mini goals" my house will consistently stay organized and clutter free. I will also eliminate time-consuming organizing projects later on when I would rather be enjoying the summer months.
Take a few moments today and set several mini goals for you and your family. Your home won't become magically organized over night, but you will make consistent progress and you'll still be able to enjoy your life!
One of the organizing obstacles I hear about most from clients and workshop participants is time! With our already overcrowded schedules, it can be difficult to find the time to tackle the myriad organizing projects swirling around in your head!
The natural tendency when getting organized is to look for large blocks of time in which to start and finish an organizing project. But as we know too well, large blocks of time can be pretty hard to come by. And while you wait for the elusive large block of time to arrive, the clutter builds up even more.
So instead of waiting, do what I advocate in my online workshops: look for ways to make progress on your organizing projects in smaller blocks of time. Look for little pockets of time, five minutes here, or ten minutes there, to squeeze in just a little bit of organizing. Instead of sneaking off to check email or to catch up with your friends on Facebook, use these snippets of time to make progress on your organizing projects.
Here are some organizing and decluttering projects you can do in small bursts of time:
Match food storage containers with their lids; pitch any stray lids or containers.
Clear out unnecessary plastic drinking cups.
Sort through today’s mail and pitch or shred the junk mail.
Clear out a drawer in the bathroom. Pitch old makeup, creams, and lotions.
Declutter and straighten a dresser drawer.
Pitch old magazines, catalogs and newspapers.
Toss out expired medicine or food.
What small project can you tackle today for ten or fifteen minutes to make progress in your home?
Are you always looking for some time to sit down and read that latest book from the library, or watch a special program on TV? If so, here are a few hints to help you arrange that time.
1. When preparing your meals, clean up as you go, washing by hand or putting appropriate items right into the dishwasher. Put away ingredients that need to be stored in the refrigerator or pantry immediately after you use them.
2. Take out your clothes the night before work or school. This way you don't waste valuable time in the morning looking for the right thing to wear.
3. Fill up your gas tank when it hits the quarter of a tank level. In case of an unexpected appointment, you won't have to worry about running out of gas.
4. Cook some meats ahead of time and store in the freezer. For those nights you are too busy to start from scratch, this will help you get a quick dinner on the table.
5. Pick a regular day each week to do your bills or any desk-related items. If you don't have bills that week, work on your budget or bank statement. When it comes to finances, just a bit of disorganization can lead to overdraft and other fees.
6. If you are comfortable having bills paid online, sign up for this service. Mark your calendar on what particular day the bills will be paid so you can keep track of what's happening.
7. When making appointments, mark your calendar right away--along with any necessary contact information.
8. Have the family work on planning the weekly agenda, so that there is no one left in the rain waiting for a ride. Try and arrange car pools with other family members and friends whenever possible.
9. Have colors for each family member for towels, toothbrushes, hair care items and more. It can save a lot of time and prevent confusion. Even match the hampers and baskets if possible.
If you do some or all of these items you will be finding that extra time to do the things you enjoy. You will also feel like you are more in control.
Do you ever feel as if you should already know how to get organized? That somehow organizing is a gene and you missed out on it? If so, you’re in good company. Often when people call to inquire about my organizing services or online workshops, they feel funny reaching out for help because, well, Shouldn’t I already know how to do this?
As someone who has read countless books and articles on organizing, attended numerous organizing and time management seminars, spent hours upon hours in client’s homes implementing various organizing solutions, I know for certain that much of what I know about organizing I have learned. Yes, I have always been interested in organizing—even as a child. But one thing I know for sure is that because of the knowledge I’ve gained through years of learning and taking action, organizing is much more natural and efficient for me now than even just a few years ago. Today organizing seems more instinctive for me than ever before, but it’s because of things I have learned and done through the years, not because of something I was born knowing how to do.
So what does that mean for you? Well, simply that you CAN learn to be more organized. Unfortunately, you know as well as I do, that it is often very difficult to “teach an old dog new tricks” so it won’t be easy. But, if you are serious about getting more organized and learning to better manage your time, it can be done! Take a class on getting organized, check out a few books from the library, read on-line articles, etc.etc.
Whatever approach you choose, recognize that your end goal isn’t learning how to be organized; but actually being more organized. Give yourself permission to take action and try different techniques and ideas. Even if some of them don’t work perfectly on day one, the process of taking action and trying an approach will be your greatest teacher of all. Continue learning and taking action until organizing becomes a habit.
Have you ever noticed that the items on your to-do list that have deadlines are the ones that get done, while the tasks without firm deadlines tend to linger indefinitely? Whether you love them or hate them, there’s tremendous power in assigning target dates to the tasks on your to-do list. Deadlines help you prioritize, and even better, deadlines inspire you to take action.
Keep this in mind: Tasks with deadlines are the tasks that get done!
Now, you may be thinking, that’s great, but I always miss my deadlines. That’s okay. If that happens, simply set a new deadline and get back into action! When you set a completion date for a task and take steps to hit it, you work more purposefully than if you didn’t have a deadline. Whether you ultimately finish in your established time frame or not, on deadline day you will be much further along than if you hadn’t set a deadline.
Put this tip into action by setting a deadline for the most important task on your to-do list. Then get busy taking action, and see if you don’t hit your deadline, or at least accomplish the task faster than you normally would have. Once you see their power, you can add deadlines to more and more of your tasks. Who knows, you may just come to love deadlines after all!
Most of us like volunteering sometimes, and that's a good thing. However, if you have too much going on and you already invest tons of time giving of yourself, it's OK to say "no" to some of those time requests coming in--especially when those requests don't fit in with your goals.
Start respecting your time and your schedule and you will enjoy what you already do even more!
Mornings can easily become the most frenzied time of the entire day. For many families, the process of waking up, getting dressed and preparing for each day is hectic. Despite your best efforts, you may habitually struggle to arrive at work, school, or other activities on time because of morning chaos. To make matters worse, a stressful morning can easily set a negative tone for the rest of the day. By creating a chaos-free morning, you can not only reduce stress and calm commotion, but you will also improve your attitude and performance for the rest of the day as well.
If you read our post from earlier this week and are still struggling to get your mornings under control, here are 5 more tips to help you do just that!
Set your alarm clock to give you 15 extra minutes every morning. The extra time will allow you to remain on schedule even if there are unexpected snags in your morning routine.
Establish a routine. Make a list of everything that needs to be done each morning and determine what order those things will occur.
Give children a list of things `to do' each morning. Making their own beds, picking up laundry, and other age appropriate chores can make your job easier and keep the children busy while you attend to your own responsibilities.
Delegate responsibility. Assign everyday responsibilities such as cooking breakfast, dressing small children, and starting the coffee maker to capable family members.
Give yourself time to clean up. Nobody wants to return home to a messy house. Giving yourself several minutes each morning to tidy up will allow you to relax and enjoy your home once you return.
Recurrent frenzied mornings will quickly become a thing of the past when you use these simple suggestions to get organized. With minimal effort, you can quickly develop evening habits and morning routines for your family that will make the most out of your limited time in the morning. Reducing confusion and establishing a comfortable, yet flexible schedule will calm morning chaos and set the tone for a positive, productive day for your entire family.
Mornings can easily become the most frenzied time of the entire day. For many families, the process of waking up, getting dressed and preparing for each day is hectic. Despite your best efforts, you may habitually struggle to arrive at work, school, or other activities on time because of morning chaos. To make matters worse, a stressful morning can easily set a negative tone for the rest of the day. By creating a chaos-free morning, you can not only reduce stress and calm commotion, but you will also improve your attitude and performance for the rest of the day as well.
The key to calming morning chaos for yourself and your family begins by establishing groundwork the previous evening.
Check your schedule every evening to see what is on your agenda for the next day. Gather any items you will need for tomorrow's events and activities.
Organize yourself and your family the night before. Pack backpacks and lunch boxes. Ensure that all permission slips are signed and paperwork is filled out. Make yourself a `to do' list for items you need to accomplish tomorrow.
Pre-dress for success. Take a moment to check tomorrow's weather forecast and choose appropriate clothing the night before.
Designate a place for keys, purses or backpacks, and coats near the door and ensure they are all accounted for before you go to bed each evening
Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep will almost definitely leave you dragging and nothing encourages morning chaos more than being slow-moving and lethargic
Now that your schedule has been checked, necessities are prepared and placed in a convenient location, and clothing is set out; you are ready to face the day ahead…right?? If you still feel overwhelmed by morning madness, check back later this week for a few more steps you can take every morning to reduce chaos as well.
A simple way to stay organized and create new habits is to become mindful of the things you add to your home and life. For each thing you add, decide to remove something old. So, if you add a new shirt to your closet, take out an old one. If you add an exercise class to your weekly schedule, subtract the equivalent amount of time from another activity such as web-surfing or watching T.V.
This strategy can also help you stay focused on achieving any goal – organizing, or otherwise. Instead of working on ten new habits at once, pick one new habit that moves your life forward, and find a competing old habit to subtract. For example, you could add the habit of drinking green tea in the morning, and eliminate your mid-morning Diet Coke habit. Or add the habit of spending fifteen minutes a day decluttering, and shed the habit of waiting to tackle your organizing projects in longer, more laborious sessions.
It all adds up to this simple formula for getting and staying organized:
1 new thing minus 1 old thing equals zero clutter added
Over the past few months, there have been a couple of times when something in me snapped, and I just knew it was time to draw that proverbial line in the sand. It was a turning point where I simply said, “From here on in I want something different.”
One of these critical moments happened when I was putting my Christmas decorations away. Previously, I stored the decorations in our basement under our stairs. I was never happy with this storage place and always seemed to get frustrated any time I had to mess with the “junk under the stairs”. So this year, as I was pushing and shoving, trying to fit my 3 tubs of decorations in their designated spots, I decided right then and there that I was done storing things under the stairs. I went to Lowe’s and purchased some sturdy shelving units and clear tubs and now have a nicely organized (and easy to access) storage area…doesn't it look great!! Best of all, I no longer store anything under the stairs!
Another critical moment happened when I dropped off a bunch of plastic bags to be recycled. Sure…I was recycling them, but I wasn’t satisfied with the time, space, and energy that my use of plastic bags was causing for me and for the planet at large. So, I decided I was done using plastic bags and made the $1.00 investment for reusable shopping bags.
While I am extremely happy with the results, I know that my basement will require continual maintenance to stay organized, and I need to remind myself to bring my reusable bags into the store each time, but I have taken the first step to change my habits…I drew my line in the sand!.
Now, in case you are confused, this tip isn’t designed to advocate the use of recycled bags or to tell you to clean your basement this week. Instead, this tip is designed to help you live an organized and clutter-free life. So, my question for you is this:
Is it time to draw a line in the sand about clutter? Are you ready to decide that, from this point forward, you no longer want clutter in your life?
Remember, the day you declare your intention and the day you realize it are two different days. But you can’t realize a clutter-free and organized life until you declare that this is what you want. So, are you ready to draw your line in the sand?
So many of us are overextended, but we need to remind ourselves that there are only 24 hours a day.
Saying 'No' is an art form and there are many reasons why we have so much trouble saying it, even if it's in our best interest to do so.
Some of the reasons include:
·we don't want to hurt the other person's feelings
·we don't want them to think negative thoughts such as we're being unkind
·we avoid it in order to try to escape confrontation
Many of us lack daily refusal skills. 'No' may be a mere two letters--but it is a powerful word. So what can you do to get a little better at saying ‘no’ and give yourself more time for what you want to do? Here are a few ideas.
1.Be brief, direct, and honest. Do not make excuses. People respect honesty. Be fair, and most of all remember to be fair to yourself.
2.Do not make commitments you are not prepared to keep. Take a minute and breathe before answering a request.
3.If you feel that you are unable to say 'no', especially to someone's face, say you 'need to think about it.' Call after you have thought about it for a day or two before you answer, but be honest with yourself.
4.Don't feel like you explain yourself. We don't give reasons when we say 'yes' so why should we have to give a reason for saying 'no.' A simple 'I appreciate you asking, but no thanks' will often do the trick. Kick your guilt to the curb!
5.Set limits. If you are only available to help a friend for 4 hours on Saturday, tell them that and stick to your limits. Keep in mind to be firm but polite.
6.Know what the expectations are. Before you make a commitment, make sure you understand what exactly is expected of you. Are you expected to organize the entire party or just cook a dessert?
7.Think ahead. Organize yourself. Have clear to-do lists and a calendar in order to allow you to know what is coming up and whether you are able to make another commitment.
8.Give some away. If nothing else works, remember to delegate some of your commitments to others. Delegation is the key to being a good leader. Break up things among family members, friends, organizations, or co-workers. Allow others to help you.
Now put one or two of these ideas into practice and start creating time for the people and activities you love…no guilt allowed!
This time of year is very busy…whether you are at home or at work. However, those of you who work out side your home have the added “joy” of all kinds of work parties and festivities and the benefits of taking a few holidays and vacation days to spend time with friends and family.
The only problem with all of this “time off” is that you still have deadlines to meet and tasks that need to be accomplished. How will you finish it all? You will need to increase your productivity…and here are a few tips to get you started.
Arrive to work 1 hour earlier. You will be amazed how much you can accomplish when no one else is around.
Pack your own lunch and eat at your desk or in your lunch room. Sack lunches are a great alternative to going out to eat. Plus they save time, money, and your waistline!
It is also important to keep your desk and your workspace organized to promote maximum efficiency. Here are a few tips:
Keep most-often used items within arm’s reach.
Keep less-frequently used items in drawers or on shelves so they don’t clutter you workspace.
Create some sort of filing system for paperwork to eliminate all those piles.
With just a little work upfront, you can increase your productivity and maybe even take a little more time off this holiday season!
Thanksgiving is meant to be a time of remembrance, family and thanks, not a holiday of stress and chaos. Here are a few easy ways to stay organized for an enjoyable, stress-free Thanksgiving Day:
1. Plan Your Meal: Plan your meal from appetizers to dessert on a piece of paper. Make a list of all ingredients needed. Bring your list when you go shopping and check items off as you put them in your cart.
2. Turkey Talk: First, determine how much room you have in your freezer and refrigerator, and how many people you will be serving. Then, order your turkey. If you need more storage space, perhaps a neighbor or relative can help you out. Rather than defrosting a frozen turkey in water on Thanksgiving Day, defrost it a few days ahead in your refrigerator instead. This saves tons of time and is less messy.
3. Check Your Supplies: Check your supply of chairs, tables, dishes, glasses, pots, pans, serving plates and utensils. Arrange to buy, rent or borrow anything you don't have.
4. Cook ahead: Prepare side dishes, deserts, and anything else that you can a day or two before Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, just heat and serve. You will save tons of time, plus you'll be able to join in the festivities without being stuck in the kitchen.
5. Get Ready the Night Before. You'll be happy you took care of a few things the night before. Set the table. Get the good silverware out of storage. Lay out your (and your kids') wardrobe…and don’t forget to set your alarm!
6. Give Thanks!
After all, it is Thanksgiving…and it’s a wonderful time to give thanks for health, family, friends and all that life has to offer.
The holiday season inevitably brings a ton of stress and confusion. There is so much to coordinate, organize, and prepare. Couple these challenges with the desire to have everything perfect, and you've got a recipe for emotional disaster. This year take some of the stress away from the season by organizing your own Holiday Planning Notebook.
Use the notebook to hold and organize all of your holiday lists, travel reservations, receipts for gifts, gift lists, recipes, etc. They will all be in one place and ready to go when you need them.
What You Need To Set Up a Holiday Planning Notebook
Binder- Look for a thick and sturdy one with pockets on the inside covers.
Dividers- Choose thick dividers with pockets to help them last as long as possible. The number of dividers will depend on your number of categories, but you'll need at least 10 (or more) to start with.
Pen- Choose one that has a festive theme so everyone knows that it is the "holiday notebook pen". Keep it located in the front pocket of the binder.
That's all you need to transform any holiday season into a precise organized event.
Sections of a Holiday Planning Notebook
1.Budgets: While this may be the least favorite section of the holiday planning notebook, it's probably one of the most necessary. At the beginning of the holiday season, sketch out a reasonable budget based on your gift lists and ideas. Each section of your notebook may need it's own allotment of the budget. Keeping track of how much you plan to spend can help you know where to make cuts or add a few frills to your holiday spending.
Calendars: Keep calendars near the front of your binder because you will refer to them all of the time. Be sure to transfer any information onto the calendar in your holiday planning notebook so that you won't double book your family during any events.
3.Christmas Card Lists: Consider using the computer to organize addresses. Keep lists of the people you send cards to from year to year. Make notations next to names, addresses, or family situations that have changed. Some people keep a copy of the previous year's card in the notebook to make sure they don't send the same one year after year.
4.Cleaning Schedules: Use this section to organize the work that needs to be done on the house during the holiday season. Also keep a list of small repairs and fix ups your home may need.
5.Gift Ideas and Gift Lists: Write down gift ideas for friends, family, and acquaintances. It's a good idea to keep gift lists to prevent re-gifting a present to the original giver or giving someone the same gift card 4 years in a row.
6.Menus and Recipes: Food is such an important part of the holiday season that I keep my menus in their own section. Menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and individual parties, can be stored here for easy retrieval. Make copies of all recipes and keep them here. Don’t forget recipes for easy meals to make during the busy holiday months. You can also keep recipes for gift jars and mixes in this section of your notebook.
7.Parties and Entertaining: Include information on any entertaining you will do during the holiday season. Guest lists, menus, activity information, and seating charts can be organized in this section of the notebook.
8.Receipts: It's a good idea to keep all of your receipts during the holiday season. I usually notate any important information on the receipt if it isn't already printed, including a stores general return policies. Inevitably something breaks, doesn't fit, or doesn't work properly. Having the receipts ready to go prevents money wasted.
9.Shopping Lists: Keep all of your shopping lists here for the next year’s holiday season. Try separate shopping lists for:
·Decorations
·Entertaining
·Gifts
·Home Improvement
·Non-perishables (by holiday)
·Perishables (by holiday)
10.Traditions: This section can help you organize the traditions that your family relies on. For instance if you go caroling, look at Christmas Lights, make cookies together, etc. Whatever traditions and important parts of the holidays your family participates in should be in this section of your notebook. This mapping out of the important activities can help you schedule and plan what is most special to your family during the holiday season.
11.Travel: Use this section of your notebook for plans regarding any travel plans you have during the holiday season. You can keep travel arrangements, maps, directions and packing lists in this section. Jot down information about hotels you liked, or a note to remind you to bring your own pillows when you visit Aunt Marge. Keep information on visits from the previous few years to help you be more prepared for traveling issues.
With these sections of your holiday notebook, you'll be ready to tackle any holiday season.
Do you constantly have a long list of items on your to-do list every night? Maybe you don't even have a to-do list?? Either way, you probably have felt a little helpless and discouraged when you have so much on your plate.
Fortunately, taking just a few moments each day to create a to-do list will save you time and energy and help you to accomplish more each day.
Here are a few tips to consider as you make your list:
·Take time in the morning or evening to create a realistic schedule for your day
·Use a scheduling method that works for you (a wall calendar, PDA, computer program, daily planner, or scratch paper)
·Prioritize all the items on your list and estimate the amount of time each activity will take.
·Remember to add a little time between tasks
·Review this schedule throughout your day to track your progress
·At the end of the day, if anything is left un-finished, put it as the top priority task for the following day.
With just a little organization, you can create a realistic to-do list for yourself (and your family members) each day. I guarantee that you will accomplish more with a list and a plan than without one…so if you are looking to pack more activity into your days, you may want to try it out!
Let me guess, you are super-busy, right? Want to know how to make your crazy schedule more manageable? Keep reading!
Double up: Cooking a pasta dish or casserole for supper this evening? If you are already cooking the first dish, why not make more for a second meal and freeze it for later?
Decide your limits: Given the fact that you can not create more hours in a day, decide what you are honestly able to accomplish. Also, get good at delegating (see next point) things you can not do or don’t have time to do.
Delegate: There are often tasks on our lists both at home and at work that can be delegated to others. Many of us find it difficult to ask for help but it is an important skill to learn. Just remember to provide clear and concise instructions.
Find time for yourself: In order to be at your best you must take care of yourself. Find out what helps you relax and make sure you schedule time for it in your schedule daily.
Give yourself permission to say no: You cannot do it all, all the time. If you don't respect your time, others won't either.
Prioritize: Make a to-do list and rank the items by priority. Then work on the most urgent items first.
Multi-task: Multi-tasking is appropriate in situations that involve simple tasks that you are familiar with. Do not multi-task if the task is new, difficult, complicated, or requires a lot of attention.
Recognize that perfection is impossible: No one is perfect. If you realize this and accept it, then others will too.
Managing a schedule can seem like a full time job all by itself, don't let your schedule rule your life. You can do it and make it more manageable.
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?
Anyone who knows me...or who reads this blog, knows that I am a huge fan of "list making". I feel that it is very important to have a tentative plan for the upcoming hours, days, weeks and even months.
