Time Management/Organization Tips for Moms
I actually wrote this article for the September Newsletter for the MOMS Club I belong to in my city. I thought it was appropriate here too!
It’s that time of year again! For some of us, our kids head back to school. For others, they may be starting school for the first time. And many of us may only be dreaming of when our little ones start school ;-). It’s time to get ourselves and our families ready for the end of summer and, like me, back to reality.
As I am getting myself mentally prepared for having a first-grader, a pre-schooler and a little more time on my hands , I started searching for information on time-management and mommy organization. Below is a compilation of some info I have found online that might be helpful. One of my personal wants is some time for me, so I am definitely looking for a way to squeeze more time out of my day.
- Sunday check-in. (I love this one!) It’s a time for a casual family meeting to get organized with the upcoming week. A time to find out what/if there would be any major homework projects, after school sports practice or events for the week, any late/after work meetings, and a reminder of homework and chores. When I was growing up a family meeting was only called when something bad was happening or about to happen. So this is a refreshing change in philosophy.
- Organize your errands and chores. What a concept? After your family Sunday check-in, take time to personally organize your calendar for the week around the family schedule. Organize it in a way so that you are doing all your errands in a particular location at the same time. This way you don’t have to double back numerous times. It will not only save time, but also gas!
- Get up early. I know! I know! Groan! Whine! If someone asked you what one thing makes it so you can sanely get through your day, my answer is getting up and working out first thing in the morning. Now working out is just my thing, but if you want some alone time, this is the only time you will get it, before the rest of the family gets up. I personally work out because it energizes me for the day ahead and I will find many excuses later in the day to not work out when I don’t do it first thing. For you it may be reading the Bible or a magazine, meditating, having a cup of coffee or tea, or just ensuring you won’t run around crazy when trying to get the family off to work/school by allowing for a few extra minutes. Try it! It will take a week or two to get used to, but this is one that has always made for a successful day for me!
- Change your mindset and your words. For me, this will be a difficult one, but I will overcome it! Whenever I see someone that I haven’t seen in a while or maybe I did just see them last week and they ask me how I am, my answer is always something like this, “So busy.” “There are just not enough hours in the day/days in the week.” “I can never get it all done.” Instead, I plan to change my mindset to that of, “I will get it done.”
For me, just implementing a couple of these things will (I think) help me immensely! Try some for yourself and let me know how it goes. Any time saving techniques will get you one step closer to having time for you and getting some sense of self back. There is a ton more info out there, Google it!
If you need some motivation or accountability or encouragement to get some of these things implemented, contact me. I’m here to help!