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Five Tips for A Successful Week

(Family Included!)

Where do I begin?

Lets start with – Time Management. Football practice, cheer practice, laundry, dishes, dinner, cleaning up after toddlers….the list always seems never ending! Always feeling overwhelmed and completely deflated I needed to figure out what was going to help me stay on track and feeling successful after each day.

I want to share with you my five tips that have helped me stay on track each week allowing me to handle all the things that are expected from me as a mom, and a business owner, additionally allowing me to have time with my family.

” Either RUN the day or the DAY runs you.”

Before I dive into my 5 tips to managing my time, I want share that it starts with you and your mindset, if you wake up starting the day with a negative mindset your day will follow your emotions down this ugly slope.  Wake up each morning with a clear positive mind and do not forget to celebrate the small wins! It is completely okay if you do not finish all the ” to do” be forgiving and not so hard on yourself.

1. Plan Ahead:

   – I like to take an hour on a Sunday Afternoon and plan exactly what my week is going to look like.  As a mom of 5 kids there is never a dull moment and our schedules are action packed from practices; meetings for the business; house duties and dinner!  I have a simple lined planner that allows me to create my “to do” lists.  Start by separating each list by your priorities and categories.  For example: Kids , Business, Household, Finances, etc. then prioritize exactly what it is that is a MUST DO in each list.  This will allow you to let go of the little things if you are not able to get those at the bottom of the list.- Utilize a Calendar planner, yes the old school way is what works best for me.  Though the digital calendars are GREAT with the upgrades with reminders pinging you there is nothing better than a good old fashioned planner.  This allows you to visual see what your weeks and months are going to look like and allow yourself to NOT OVERBOOK.  In addition there is just something about physically writing it down that helps me remember that something is upcoming.

2. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Menu:

   – Yes honey, I literally plan exactly what we are having for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have never done this before but not only has this helped me prepare and have dinner ready on time with out thought it has also saved me money. There is nothing worse than having a house full of kids who are now in home-school constantly asking you whats for breakfast? Whats for lunch? Whats for dinner, and better yet you yourself asking the same thing what the heck is for dinner.  I would get so frustrated that I didn’t have everything I needed to prepare a meal finding myself telling the hubby to go run and pick up something up! What a waste of money. Now I have the kids give me their preferable request and create a menu that is going to make not only the family happy but knowing exactly what you are going to make its such a great feeling.  Again this allows you to get all your shopping done on Sunday and prepared for the week.  Another quick tip; purchase items on your menus that the kids can quickly grab or you can quickly grab for them that does not pull you away from your overall duties.

3. Block Your Time:

   – I do not know how many times I used to say, “I do not have any time in my day! ” Trust me when I say if it is important to you, you will find the time and if you are not sure how to manage that start by documenting everything you do in your day, from dropping off kids, watching TV, scrolling social media, all the things.  You will soon realize that there are things you can eliminate through out your day to allow you to plug in the priorities. Once I started really blocking out my day I was noticing that I can fit in the little things in the nooks and crannies of my day with out of realizing it.

4. Get up an Hour Earlier/ Stay up Past your Bedtime:

   – Set that alarm an hour before your normal time as hard as it is to get up and get moving you can do wonders while the kids are still asleep! Giving yourself an extra hour or two to not only focus in silence but also gives you the opportunity to maybe even focus on you and or your relationship.  If your anything like me and are not a morning person stay up an hour later than you normally would to create the same benefits.  It might be tough but start small and work your way up; you will be amazed at what you can get done in an hour of complete silence and no kids.

5. ASK FOR HELP!

   – Do not be ashamed to ask for help. If you are a single parent reach out to friends or family to help with the kids once in awhile to give yourself a break.  If your kids are of age give them some responsibilities and chores, they may not complete the job the way you would like however allow them to help out as a family. Definitely do not be worried about asking your spouse for help! My hubby and I help each other out with even asking however there are times that I need him to help me out on busier days and that’s okay to ask! Do not get upset with your partner for assuming he/she should know what you need help with communicate and work together on being successful.

So, check this out.

Here is a website that has some great planner templates. Find one you like and make it part of your weekly habit. Yes, it may be time consuming in the beginning, but over all, this will streamline your weekly flow and you’ll start to enjoy this part of your regimen.

onplanners.com

Remember to wake up each day with a positive mindset and live every day with intention and gratitude. Celebrate each a every win, no matter how small, each is one step closer to your long game. No plan, is a plan for disaster.

~ Kristin

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