3 Time Management Hacks I Use Every Day
Do you feel overwhelmed sometimes with all the things you have to do in one day? How is today going for you?
School started back up full time for us, so my daily schedule and gazillion tasks are constantly changing. From full-time distance learning, we switched to the hybrid model and now my kiddos are back in school full time. It’s hard to keep up with the morning, evening, and sports activities while I still have a job to do at work! (On the bright side: I do not get emails anymore from the teacher about why my kiddo’s zoom camera is turned off.)
My schedule all of a sudden is out of whack. I was thinking about what do I do every day to reduce my stress and adapt to the constant changes.
Here are my 3 favorites tools, that I rely on to avoid burnout and I use every day, that I want to share with you:
1. Create Routines
The morning routine is the best when it works like a well-oiled machine. You have to figure out what time to get up (and get up 15 minutes earlier), what to get done before you wake your kiddos up, what time they need to finish breakfast and packing lunch, what time is putting-your-shoes-on-time and when you need to drive off the lot. Write it down. Practice it. Adjust. (Add ten minutes for sudden unexpected ailments.) You will soon become a pro with a no-stress morning. Diffusing a bit of peppermint or lemon essential oils can help you wake up your mind and your senses.
Create an evening routine too. It will work wonders not just for you but for your kiddos as well.
2. Block Time
When are you the most productive during the day?
I am the most creative and focused in the mornings or late afternoons. In the early afternoon, I do routine work where I do not have to think hard. Block several hours for the most important jobs when you are the most productive and put it on the calendar. Schedule it like a meeting or write it down on your paper calendar or whiteboard.
3. Avoid distractions
Work time is work time. Put your phone away. Turn all the dings off. No looking, no peeking. It happened to me the other day that I accidentally left my phone in the other room without realizing it. When I noticed that my phone is not next to me, I panicked!! Did I miss any urgent text messages or emails? Nope.
If you are having a hard time, like me, putting your phone in a different room, at least turn off your notifications. I get a screen flash only for text messages and I check my personal emails once in an hour to see only if I got an email from the school.
Make good use of your phone: set your timer for 50 minutes to take a brain break! Get some water and walk around a bit. It will work wonders.
Creating habits that work for you takes time and lots of practice. But when you have it down, just like driving home from work, you will notice your day will be a breeze, you will not feel overwhelmed because everything is under control. Under your control. You will be stress-free, productive, and feel the joy.
If you are having a hard time creating routines and schedules and you feel that your day is a hot mess, contact me for a free initial consultation. I am happy to get you started to create a smooth and more productive day for you.
