The dishes are piling up, the dog needs his shots, you can’t find two socks that match, your garbage can stinks, and the dentist office just called to find out if you are still coming in today for your appointment that started 10 minutes ago.
Sound familiar?
This may sound like a typical scenario in your hectic, out-of control-day, but we’ve compiled ten quick and easy tips to help even the most frazzled mom get back on track.
The following tips are not written in any particular order, but if embraced, we promise they will make your life easier. A LOT easier. So, are you ready to jump right in?
Here are 10 quick and easy tips for conquering your to-do list:
1. Get plenty of sleep
This seems so basic, but getting through your day and staying organized requires lots of brain function. An exhausted mind is rarely productive. Take advantage of the regenerating effects of proper sleep to ensure a full and energetic day.
2. Get up earlier than you need to
You would not believe how many speeding tickets you will save (along with the stress of trying to make that morning appointment on time). Getting up early puts you in control from the moment you awake. Forget the snooze button, and greet your day at the first sound of your alarm.
Need more reasons why this is a good idea? Check out these ten benefits of waking up early.
3. Use technological tools to make your life easier
For example, there are thousands of apps out there that can help you organize your day such as Any List, Audio Memos, Organize Anything, and Evernote. Yes – there’s an app for that! Being able to carry your to-do list with you on your cell phone is a luxury that previous generations would have flipped for. Why not use technology to your advantage?
Here are 13 iPhone apps that Holly uses to manage her business on the go.
4. Become single-task oriented
This means start and finish, one task at a time, but give it all of your focus. Warning: This is tougher to do than it sounds. Most of us have been conditioned to multitasking and slowing down to focus on just one thing at a time is not always easy to do.
5. Keep the personal belongings you rely on in good condition
We’re talking about your car, your appliances, and your home. Don’t let a preventable nuisance turn into an inconvenient and expensive nightmare that will end up disrupting your day and your pocketbook.
6. Take care of your health by eating fresh, whole foods
Learn to cook and then, well, cook! Make a healthy weekly menu and shop for only the items you need. You may want to consider researching and subscribing to a healthy cooking website for weekly menu planning ideas and to learn how to stock up on healthy grab-and-go foods.
7. Stay out of other people’s drama and work hard to avoid it in your own life
This wastes so much time and energy and will only sabotage your efforts for living easier.
8. Clean as you go
Your mom’s basic rule will help keep you organized. In turn, a clean environment puts you in control and helps you to find the things you need to get through your day.
9. Don’t overspend
When you’re stressed, you run the risk of making mindless purchases. However, overspending today ultimately leads to more stress in the long run. Solution? Purchase things with cash. Question: Do you want to enjoy financial freedom? Answer: Then live below your means and be content to be cash rich rather than house poor.
10. Fill your car with gas on the way home, rather than leaving this task until morning.
The last thing you want to do is to add another to-do to your plate before your first early morning appointment or commitment.
Conclusion
With these simeple tips and some planning, you can get to the end of your to-do list.
How do you conquer your to-do list? We’d love to hear your time management and productivity tips below!
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