Sundays are brain dump days. Set aside a time to sit down and write out everything you need to do for the week, write down everything you can think of big to small…..from grocery shopping, folding towels, paying a bill, kids practices, school activities, business meetings, no matter the importance the point is to write it down and get it out of your head. Studies show that writing things down and “dumping” them from your brain helps you to get a better understanding of everything. Handwriting in a notebook triggers more robust brain activity. Usually this takes less than 15 minutes, however, if you are like me, you may forget and need to add to this list throughout the day. This is your process. I personally like to keep my notebook close all day so that I can jot things down as I think of them. You will perfect this process for yourself the more you do it. It’s a great time to reflect.
Create to-do lists for the next day and block off certain times for each task.
In the evenings before you go to bed, write a to-do list. The average person can complete 6-12 tasks per day depending on your productivity level. This also depends on what you consider a task. If your tasks are smaller, obviously you will be able to complete more. If your tasks are larger and more time consuming, you will not be able to complete as many in one day. This is a personal preference that you will adapt over time and practice. One common preference is 5 tasks per day. Splitting them up between small and large.
Blocking time out each day for yourself assigned tasks is important. Allotting yourself certain times to get things done helps you stay focused. You can create this on your own or use a time block calendar. There are many options for these from store bought calendars to printed templates. You may start with one and adapt to a different one as you learn your own preferences for this.
Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency.
Some of your tasks will automatically be designated for certain days. Start with those and plan around them. When you see your tasks written out into a timeline it helps you get a better grasp of the time that you have open for other tasks. Stagger your tasks out. Some days will be busier than others. Use that time to your advantage.
There may be a 1-hour gap where you can swing by the pharmacy or use that time to make an important call to a family member that you’ve been missing. You decide what you can accomplish. If you have to drive between appointments, that time can be used to make “hands free” calls. Don’t discount that time as gone.
While prioritizing your tasks and time remember to allot yourself some time to breathe and take in the amazing life you are building.
Outsource, Outsource, Outsource
Your tasks do not always have to be completed by you. If there are tasks that you hate doing or do not fully understand how to do them correctly, outsource them. There are many ways to do this effectively. Online grocery shopping is a way of outsourcing that many do not consider as outsourcing. However, you are assigning someone else to the task of shopping for and loading your groceries in the car for you. Some families prefer to outsource their housekeeping, others choose to outsource their bookkeeping. Finding the things that you can assign to someone else to clear your schedule a little is very important to help maintain your stress levels and feeling overwhelmed from having a busy life.
Using these simple steps will significantly help reduce your stress and help you see your time and days more effectively. Many large companies train their employees to use this method. Not only are they effective in your work life but your daily home life as well. Start small and adapt as you grow to your own method. You will see your time as an asset to your day and not just something that you never have enough of.