Being productive is not only essential for taking care of the details of your life and home; it’s also great for your mental health.
But as busy moms, it can be a struggle to juggle caring for your family and getting important things done.
Follow these seven tips for how to be a more effective and efficient mom so you can get back in control of your days!
1. Implement a Weekly Reset
A weekly reset is a set of simple tasks that will help you prepare for the week ahead. It helps you to clear your mind of all the clutter that has accumulated over the previous week. It’s an opportunity to hit the pause button and focus on what’s really important. It also sets the stage for a productive week ahead.
Typically a weekly reset is done on the weekend to best prepare for Monday, but if that doesn’t work for you then change it up! That might be on Sunday afternoon when the kids are taking a nap. Maybe you prefer to wait until Monday morning when the kids leave for school. If you work weekends you might want to tackle the list on Friday so you don’t have to think about it over the weekend.
First, start with a brain dump. Grab a sheet of paper and write down everything that is on your mind no matter how big or insignificant. All those tasks that you have been putting off or just don’t have the time for, the appointments you need to get scheduled, or the household items you need to stock up on.
The goal of a brain dump is to get rid of all the mental clutter so you feel less overwhelmed. Once you have everything out on paper you can organize the list, prioritize what’s important, and more easily focus on the task at hand.
Then, write down a list of that week’s top priorities, things like: grocery shopping, making the kids’ dentist appointments, washing the sheets, cleaning out the car and getting gas, updating your budget, zeroing out your inbox, and pampering yourself a little. Try to stick to no more than 3-4 top goals for each day, so your to-do list doesn’t become overwhelming!
2. Plan Efficiently and Time Block
Time blocking is also an effective method to help keep you on track and ensure that you have enough time for everything that needs to be done. It involves breaking down your day or week into chunks of time and allocating specific activities to each time slot. For instance, grouping your errands can save you time and energy by minimizing the number of trips you need to make.
You can also break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make them seem less daunting and more achievable.
You might also set a time limit for each task. For example, give yourself 30 minutes to fold the laundry or clean the kitchen. Once the time is up, move on to the next job.
3. Meal Plan
When I started doing this several years ago, I honestly don’t know how I ever got along without it.
What I did was create a monthly calendar of meals for my family, which rotates on a four-week basis. I found that was easier than planning out meals a week at a time, and it was also a time saver, because I only had to sit down once to plan everything out and then just keep reusing that same menu each month.
Of course, if we start getting bored of something I’ll swap out a few meals for other options, or if something comes up unexpectedly and I end up having to make a different dinner than originally planned for that night I can always rearrange a couple of days.
But again, I have four weeks of meals at a glance to choose from instead of being unprepared, and I only have to take one block of time at the beginning of the month to plan out completely new meals.
I’ve also created an inventory list in my Notes app of the items we most often use in our household, based on that menu and other necessities. Now when I’m ready to go grocery shopping, all I do is look at the monthly menu and take stock of what we’re running low on, and uncheck those items and ingredients that I need for the week ahead.
It may take you significant time upfront to plan out a month’s worth of meals, but it will ultimately save you tons of time down the road since you won’t have to guess what you’re going to cook each evening and then run to the store last minute for what you need.
4. Do One Small Load of Laundry Every Day
If your house is anything like mine the laundry can often feel like a never-ending chore. But doing a small load of laundry each day could actually help you be more productive.
By taking just a few minutes each day to wash a small load, you’ll stay on top of the laundry without feeling overwhelmed by a huge pile of clothes. Plus, keeping up with the laundry means you’ll always have clean clothes available when you or your family need them.
Implementing this simple habit can help you stay organized, reduce stress, and ultimately make your day-to-day life as a mom a little bit easier.
5. Declutter and Organize Your Home
As a stay at home mom, it can be challenging to maintain an organized and clutter-free home. However, taking the time to declutter and organize can not only make your living space more enjoyable but also increase productivity.
Start by tackling one room or group of items at a time, removing things that are no longer useful or loved. Create designated spaces for everything else and utilize storage solutions such as baskets and bins to keep things neat and tidy.
Splitting up the decluttering process into manageable chunks and involving the whole family can make the task seem less daunting and more achievable.
By taking steps to declutter and organize, you’ll find your home becomes a tranquil oasis, allowing you to focus on what really matters.
6. Limit Distractions
One way to deal with distractions is to, as much as possible, create a distraction-free environment. For example, you might turn off your email notifications, log out of social media, and put your phone on silent.
Another way to deal with distractions is to create a schedule for yourself. This means setting specific times for when you’ll allow yourself to be distracted. For example, you might give yourself a 10-minute break every hour to check your email and social media.
Find a balance that works for you. You don’t want to be so strict with yourself that you become stressed out, but you also don’t want to be so lax that you can’t get anything done.
7. Take 10 Minutes to Tidy Up Before Going to Bed
As a stay at home mom, it’s easy to feel like you don’t have enough hours in the day. That’s why taking just 10 minutes to tidy things up before bed can be a game-changer.
Not only will it make the morning routine smoother, but it will also help you feel more organized and in control. Plus, a tidy home can help you relax and unwind after a busy day.
So set a timer for 10 minutes, put on some music, and make it a habit to tidy up before you hit the sheets or indulge in some binge watching. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make for your productivity and overall well-being!
Watch the video:
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.