Do you ever dread getting up in the morning because you have so much to do and don’t know where to start? Or do you work all day and wonder what you’ve accomplished? For years this described me, but when I started home-schooling five of my seven children, I knew I had to figure out how to better manage my time and increase my productivity. I read books and articles, quizzed other mothers, and experimented with different strategies. When I started to put these strategies into practice I started to see some significant changes. I now end most of my days with a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Here are seven tips that have made a significant difference in my personal productivity.
Establish morning and evening routines. Routines are the foundation of successful household management. A good evening routine lays the groundwork for a good morning and a good morning routine assures the start of a smooth running day.
Write down your morning and evening routines and make two checklists: one for yourself and one for each of your kids. Work hard at following these new routines for twenty-one days—the time it takes to establish a new habit.
Have a plan for your free time. Know what you want to do when you get some free time without the kids. Don’t do chores that you can do with the kids around. Use this time to read, write or work on a special project. Gather the necessary supplies beforehand and be ready to start your project as soon as you have some spare time.
A few minutes can make all the difference. If you have a toddler demanding your attention, take a few minutes to play a game with him or take him for a short walk. After his desires for attention have been met, you will be amazed at how he will go and play independently.
Order is essential to productivity. According to the National Soap and Detergent Association, 40 percent of the housework in the average home is due to excess clutter. Getting rid of clutter and organising the rest saves you time not having to search for things and cuts back on cleaning time because you don’t have to keep moving things around.
There are numerous resources that will help you get organised. Do-it-yourself organising books are the least expensive option. Organising websites can give you free tips or low-cost e-mail support. Organising coaches and professional organisers can work alongside you to clear the clutter and set up useful systems for you and your family. Many coaches and organisers provide advice and accountability at affordable prices.
Eliminate unnecessary trips. Planning ahead can cut hours of running around. Combine your errands with other errands to save travel time. Here is an example of a time savings of 30 minutes when 3 stores are visited in one trip rather than 3 separate trips.
Grocery Store: 20 min. Travel Time
Pharmacy: 20 min. Travel Time
Dry Cleaners: 20 min. Travel Time
-----------------------------------------------------------
Consolidate into 1 trip: 30 min. Travel Time
TIME SAVINGS = 30 MINUTES!
It becomes clear that if you consolidate your errands you will save lots of time. Be sure to map out your driving route between stores so that you don’t waste time backtracking. Cut out multiple trips to the grocery store by planning your meals for several days ahead. Just imagine the time you would save if you only went to the grocery store ONCE A WEEK.
Delegate. Utilise your family team. Clearly communicate your expectations, train and empower your team and then follow through to be sure the tasks were completed. Team members love to be appreciated and know that they are making a difference.
Prioritise and Schedule. Take the time to prioritise what you want to accomplish the following day. Look at your schedule and be realistic about what you can do. Schedule it in. Making the time to do what you WANT along with what you have to do can make all the difference in the feelings of satisfaction at the end each day.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on time management, productivity and family scheduling, take a look at the following books:
Organize Your Family’s Schedule In No Time
Absolutely Organized: A Mom’s Guide to a No-Stress Schedule and Clutter-Free Home
Absolutely Organize Your Family: Simple Solutions to Control Clutter, Schedules & Spaces
The 28-Day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule, and Reconnect with What Matters Most
This article was written by Sandra Forbes. Professional organiser, Sandra Forbes is a mother of seven and an organising coach who specialises in home management. You can read her blog and more organising tips at ForbesOrganizing.com.
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