Do you ever feel like there is just not enough time in the day? The list of things to do just keeps getting longer and longer while the day keeps getting shorter and shorter.
A lot of the times we actually do have enough time in the day it’s just we haven’t allocated our time to get things done that we want to get done.
In this article I’ll share several time management tips to help you so you can feel more accomplished at the end of every day.
1. Write A List
The first thing to do is to know what you want to accomplish. Let’s be honest if you don’t know what you want to get done you probably won’t really get anything done. This is key to managing your time well!
Write down everything you’d like to get done daily, weekly, monthly and even quarterly. Getting things out of your mind and onto paper can be so freeing.
Sometimes we have so much going on in our heads it can literally paralyse us from doing the next best thing. If you don’t know what the next best thing to do is.
I highly recommend the very first thing you do right now it to take a moment and literally writing down everything onto paper before you begin the next step.
2. Create A Schedule
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Once you have everything written down you can start to make a plan. Don’t worry it’s nothing super rigid or strict. Think of this as a guideline. Write down things you’d like to get done on a quarterly basis like cleaning the stove, monthly basis, weekly, down to daily.
I have written a comprehensive post with a free schedule printable if you want to check this post out here on how to create A peaceful Homemaking Schedule.
You’ll find once these tasks get broken down into smaller chunks it’s not nearly as overwhelming! Creating a flexible routine that is written down on paper will help you stay on track.
Start forming rhythms in your day by having morning routines, afternoon routines and night routines. When you do something regularly it becomes second nature. You don’t even have to think about the tasks anymore because it’s just something you do.
3. Delegate Certain Tasks
I think a lot of times we homemakers think we have to do it all with no help! But that’s doing yourself and family a disservice. As soon as you can, get your kids to help out with chores and tasks regularly.
This frees up some extra time for you to do other bigger task while your kids handle some of the smaller things like taking out rubbish, drying dishes, wiping down the table etc.
While initially you will have to take some time to show your kids what is expected of them, the reward is great! You will have children who can take pride in their work, contribute to the household and learn valuable life skills.
Having others help you regularly with small tasks really makes a big difference to the day. If you are curious as to what chores your kids should be doing, I have a comprehensive post here that gives a list of age appropriate chores.
4. Choose Your Best Time Of Day
Another important time management tip is to figure out what time of day you are at your best? Do you wake up with lots of energy and ready to go, or are you slower to start your days?
Choosing your best time of day to get into some of the bigger tasks means you can get things done faster and more efficiently. If nighttime is not your best time of day don’t choose that time to clean bathrooms for example.
Start noticing when you have the most energy during the day so you can use that time to do things that take the most effort. This is the best way to get the most done without pushing yourself to the point of breaking. When you have more energy, you are able to do more.
Choose simple tasks for the times that you are not at your peak, like wiping benches or throwing a load of laundry on. Do things that work well for you and your body.
5. Prioritize Your Time
While we ideally want to get everything done every day that just doesn’t happen. Life is life and circumstances change and things can happen.
So first pick your non-negotiables! What are the bare minimum things you want to or need to do to feel accomplished for the day?
For example, my non negotiables are making nourishing meals, homeschool the children and 1 cleaning task (laundry, bathroom, wiping cabinets etc). As long as I have done those things I feel at peace with the day.
By prioritizing your time, you will feel more accomplished and get the most important things done that you feel are necessary.
6. Batch Your Work
Now this does not mean you are multi-tasking. This simply means group similar tasks together, so you aren’t running around all over the place.
If you have several things to do in the kitchen like making a meal and you also wanted to wipe down counters and cabinets, do it while you are already in the kitchen.
Even when it comes to meals, I tend to make extra or even double so that way that’s one less meal I have to plan for another day. Work smarter not harder.
Making extra of a meal is really not that much more work but having to make that meal two separate times would require more time and energy.
7. Reduce Distractions
What are your biggest distractions? I know personally that my phone is my biggest distraction. I go on it for one thing and then get lost looking at everything but the one thing I went on my phone for.
So, if it’s your phone that’s your biggest distraction put it on silent and allocate certain times of the day to when you will look at it. I’d even recommend setting yourself time limits when it comes to the phone! It’s so easy to get distracted definitely by our phones and before you know it’s been an hour!
Find out what your distractions are and think of ways to minimize them. Keep the tv turn off, phone on silent or even flight mode and those iPads tucked away somewhere so you are not tempted by them.
8. Do One Task At A Time
While some might say multitask, I can assure you that just makes things more stressful. Doing one task with intention, will ensure you do it quicker and you do it well.
There is no point doing three or five things at one time and doing them all poorly. Multi-tasking is stressful and in the long run will take longer than if you just gave each task, its own time.
Do the most important task first so you don’t feel rushed or like you need to multitask to get things done.
Conclusion
I hope you found these time management tips helpful and are able to find peace and joy running your homes. While there is always something to do as long as you get your essentials done everything else can wait.
Running a home well takes time, skills and patience. Things will always be changing and that’s okay. Growing and adapting is all part of the journey. Have a lovely day and I’ll talk to you again soon!