We can certainly agree that our culture has become one that “praises the pattern of hurry.”
I had a conversation with busy mom, wife, home educator, and entrepreneur Sarah Light, and we talked turkey about how she manages to get things done.
She’s a good one to ask, too, because her business is all about time management. While she creates and sells planners for entrepreneurs, students, and busy moms, she lives out her belief that “it's not about scheduling MORE into your day. It's about making choices to build a life of meaning.”
Here are some tips, insights, and personal thoughts drawn from our conversation:
Busy isn’t (necessarily) Bad
We tend to move towards chaos, and we have to be intentional to go the other way. Hey, it’s true: moms are busy, and there are seasons throughout the year and during our lives when we find ourselves even busier! Planning is a must, of course, but at the root of it is prioritizing. (Think of the Stephen Covey Time Management Matrix.) Even when we find ourselves with a full-to-heaping plate, it’s wise to plan tightly, but hold loosely.
We need to be intentional with our time
Being intentional helps us to know how to sort out what’s important in the bigger scheme of things. Here’s a great 4-step process to get started:
Do a brain dump - make it part of your routine, consider doing it on a Sunday. The more you can dump, the better!
Rank them to prioritize them, 1-10 (You can also do that with 3x5 index cards) and then highlight the top 3 for the week. Connecting them to a goal will help you come up with actionable steps to take each week to accomplish it.
Schedule blocks of time for the biggies
Reflect at the end of the week
What brought me the most joy this week?
How did I honor my top priorities?
What progress do I want to make next week on my monthly goals?
Embrace the process...
Give yourself time to make things work - this takes practice!
No 2 days look the same for most moms, am i right? If that’s the case, consider routines, rather than a schedule Wake up and determine to do “this one thing.” Then celebrate it!
Remember to keep any routine, schedule, or plan simple, tho. If it’s too difficult, it won’t happen!
Build a family culture
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to teach them how to manage their time (Eph 5). When we model an intentional use of time, then teach them how to use their time well...we influence the next generation for the better.
What are some things to plan besides this week’s doctor appointments, soccer games, and date nights? Here are some other areas to consider incorporating into your plans: finances (bill paying, saving for vacations, etc), personal growth, faith (Bible studies and prayer time), building character traits in your children, having quality time with your hubby, kiddos, and “mom time.”
Some final thoughts
Remember, life is all about progress, not perfection! The urgent and loud things will get our attention, but they’re (often) not that important in the big scheme of things.
At the end of the day, efficient planning for busy moms...heck, for anyone, is a heart and attitude issue. As you experiment and create a process that works for you, don’t beat yourself up as you pivot and tweak things.
As Sarah points out, “I either won (i.e. discovered a process that works for me), or I’m learning!”
You can listen to our entire conversation below!
How do you get back in whack…oh me…sometimes I say silly stuff!!??
Reflect on the week.
I win or I learn, but I never lose. Marie Forleo
The things that are urgent and loud usually get our attention first. But, there’s always something to learn.
Find Sarah Light on Sol Planners Instagram, web site
Planners will be coming early Fall for ordering!! Grab yours, I’m gonna!
Here are some special links Sarah mentions
Goal setting tips download!
https://solplanners.com/pages/goal-setting-tips
Salad Dressing recipe!
EAT READ LOVE:
EAT: Creamy jalapeño salad dressing : Recipe Here
READ: Measure What Matters by John Doerr (Goal setting)
LOVE: Gardening
Podcast Editor Melody SHOUT OUT!! She’s AMAZING!!!
CHECK THIS OUT BELOW!
Always wanted to start a podcast but something has held you back?
I would love to chat with you about your idea and if a podcast is right for you!
Schedule a time with me at: https://wrenrobbinsdiscoverycallschedule.as.me/schedule.php