One of the most effective skills you can have in life is powerful and effective time management. Now that you are a parent your schedule has been turned upside down. What used to work well doesn’t any more. You are tired, hormones are running through you at breakneck speed, you feel so responsible for your new little child. Everything has changed. Allowing yourself the time to re-stabilize is vital. The ideas here will help as you settle into you new normal.
If there’s one thing I have learned over the years, it’s the importance of paying attention to how you use the precious time you have. As busy parents and/or entrepreneurs, finding work-life balance is always challenging, but the truth is, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. I can tell you as a work-at-home mom that it CAN be done. Even the busiest mom can carve out pockets of breathing room within the day – with the right system in place.
Managing your time is not just good practice, but it is also good for productivity and organization. Follow a time management system that will help you get things done in order to achieve success with your goals. By managing your time properly and efficiently, you can create an organized life!
HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME:
1. Get Up Early
Take a good look at your morning routine. What time do you usually start your day? How do you spend the first hour (or two)?
There are plenty of examples of how the most successful people are early risers and have a morning routine in place. Morning routines often include:
- Meditation
- Visualization
- Exercise
- Reading/Learning
- Healthy Eating
- Planning/Prioritizing
- Establish a regular morning routine to ensure that you start your days successfully. This is extremely important, as this will set the tone and pace of your entire day.
2. Create a To-Do List
Creating a to-do list should be a regular habit undertaken daily.
To help you feel like a super-hero and finally cross every item off your list, I recommend you select three goals for each day to ensure that you can complete it. Don’t forget to prioritize the items on the list and review it throughout the day. I like to tackle the most important tasks first, particularly the ones that would take up the most time.
When you work from the hardest task to the simplest, you can actually free up more time later in the day. Also, checking off items as they are completed will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
3. Use Sticky Notes
Some of us use our phones to remind us of our tasks. But you may miss an important reminder if your phone dies or accidentally hit the snooze button!
With Sticky Notes, on the other hand, you can be sure that you don’t miss a task on your to-do list.
Sticky Notes are ideal for displaying reminders of tasks, motivational quotes, and visualizations. They now come in various colors, sizes, and designs, so it should be a fun and interesting way to get things done!
For example, if you’ve got a pile of letters that need to be mailed and that’s an item on your to-do list, why not put a sticky note on top of the pile with a deadline for posting them? It’ll serve as a reminder to get them posted and cleared out of your way.
4. Record It
Of course, you can record your notes digitally using note taking apps or in a text document, or use pen and paper but have you thought of recording them using a digital recorder?
This is a fast and easy way to get things done if writing things down is too much of a fuss.
You can get free recording apps for smartphones. By making a voice recording you can replay the recording and listen to your ideas. This will give you the opportunity to listen from a different perspective.
5. Create a Schedule
Online calendars now make is so easy for us to create schedules.
Using an online planner such as Google Calendar will ensure that you are able to access your schedule on your smartphone, tablet or computer wherever you are.
I love how you can color code different categories of entry and share with friends, family, and colleagues as necessary!
6. Use Pen and Paper
Many of us have gone digital, but I still love the process of writing down things with pen and paper.
For your most important events, tasks and notes use the traditional recording method of pen and paper – use a diary, planner or bullet journal.
You can keep it with you at all times. It won’t distract you with messages or run out of power. You’ll also be able to flick through at a glance to see how much you’ve achieved, past or forthcoming events and outstanding tasks.
7. Prioritize
Be realistic. Not all tasks and events are created equal, and surely, you can’t do everything!
Find a way to highlight events that are essential so that you can see them at a glance and be sure not to miss them.
On your to-do lists always prioritize these events and complete the most important first. If there are items that aren’t important or not time-sensitive, then considering moving them off your current list and on to another day.
8. Delegate
I am the queen of delegating and outsourcing!
From my groceries and bulk shopping (think Amazon!) to professional tasks I can hire out, I’ll delegate it.
The truth is that you don’t need to try and be a superhero and do everything yourself.
Kids can tidy away their toys and when old enough learn how to load the dishwasher, set the table, do their laundry, water the plants and do other simple chores. By enlisting the help of other household members, you not only empower them by teaching life skills they’ll use for life, you will also get more accomplished in less time.
Managing your time properly and efficiently with these tips is one of the keys to staying organized. When you implement a few smart rules on your daily routine, you will surely have some extra time for yourself. Be sure to do something wonderful and kind, something you truly enjoy. You so deserve it!
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