I’m not a super-organized person. I enjoy being organized; I’m just terrible at it. That said, I’m juggling so many different things right now, that my life is pretty hectic. I used to think the reason I was so lousy at housework and finding time for things like mom-crafts and practicing music was because I had too many things on my plate.
I do have an insanely ridiculous amount of things on my plate. But I realized that’s not my problem. My issue is that I’m terrible at time management. I decided to try something that could help me be more productive.
To help minimize time wasted when transitioning from one task to another, I began by making a detailed schedule for myself. I then created the Glorious Daily Planner to help keep myself organized. It has seven unique designs for each day of the week, each with a different Bible verse to color.
I’m currently homeschooling my daughter, so I made her a schedule that runs concurrently with mine. Brilliant idea, right? I barely follow this at all. This is just my starting point. Problem is, there are too many variables from day to day and week to week. So what I use this for, specific as it appears, is a guideline.
The real tool that helps control my scatterbrain is the custom schedule I make every day when I start my morning. I’ve found I’m somewhat able to stick to it, within thirty minutes or so. I use gel pens to make it sparkly and pretty, although my writing is pretty awful, which is why I general prefer to type everything up.
In addition to this I have one more chart that I use to help me be productive. This is my household chores chart. It doesn’t include daily tasks such as sweeping the floor and doing the dishes, but rather the weekly or monthly ones that I despise the most and usually procrastinate until I feel like a disgusting person. Like sorting through the stack of mail and schoolwork by the microwave *shudders*, which for some reason I can’t force myself to do, but when I don’t, it makes the whole kitchen look messy.
Everyone needs a little time to gel out and relax. I try to include a reading and craft break every day (probably actually happens about three times a week). I’ve found I’m happier if I’m more productive during the day, rather than taking extended social media breaks where I’m basically just checking my notifications (yay! Someone retweeted my status. Almost nobody is following me on Pinterest. Figures. Gotta check my blog stats! Twenty times a day!). When the kids are in bed is when I can relax with mindless behavior like reading or checking social media.
Thank you SO MUCH for this one!! Lol I’m the same exact way, I’ve also got a touch of OCD… BUT if my house and chores feel too overwhelming I just don’t get anywhere with it which makes me feel WORSE! So thank you for sharing this one I need to try these tips on scheduling in and feel glad I’m not the only one who feels “like a disgusting person” when I don’t get them done. And I love your comments on the constant social media checking hehehe totally me too.
Haha! I’m not super clean, but I do feel completely stressed and distracted when things start staying messy. Obviously with three littles things are constantly getting messy, but I gotta stay on top of it somewhat to feel ok.
I am starting to feel like a scatterbrain lol Im glad you found something that is working!! I check my social media followers all the time throughout the day, I will look you up and add you.
It happens to the best of us! I think I’ve always been one, though
I guess this won’t be popular but I am a list person an insane planner but even that doesn’t always work it really is a mind thing. I believe some people can and some people can’t.
I think you’re right: so much of it is mental. For me personally I am can’t focus without a schedule
Me either I write everything down , it’s a side effect of being an Introvert
Interesting
Blog stats are a time-suck for me, too 🙂 I need to write everything down like you, but I hadn’t thought of making a schedule. I can’t wait for E to drop his first nap so our schedule doesn’t revolve around him all the time!
Naps are sticky things! You want them so you have kid-free time, but if you’re out and about they complicate things.
I used to be SO productive. And then I had kids. And then I got chronic illness. And now my brain is gone….. what was I saying? 😉 I’m just working on getting my brain back, and then I can start remembering things again.
It’s amazing how important that little organ is, isn’t it? Well, your blogging doesn’t reflect any lack in the cognitive arena ?
I’m glad you found something that works for you! I find I switch up my lists often to see what works. Love the chore chart!
We keep on trying, don’t we? And some days it doesn’t matter how organized we are, the kids are going to destroy our productivity
I LIVE by my lists and I thrive on routine. Like you, I love organization but I can always be better at it. It really does feel good to cross things off the list every day 😉
I swear I get more and more scatterbrained with each child I have! I have no lists or real routine! 🙁
Yeah, it’s unreal!
I definitely tend toward scatterbrained. Glad you found something that is working!!
If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t exist in my memory lol. I love how you have multiple types of lists 🙂
Yeah, cause I’m just that insane
I’ve been making a detailed schedule for myself as well lately because I had become so overwhelmed by the lack of organization in my life. This is a great post. Thanks for sharing!
So much going on as moms!
Back when I was a medical student, I was pretty organizational wrt studies. If I think I am gonna sleep for one hour, I would get up at the exact scheduled time. Or 5 minutes break would be actually just 5 minutes. So I have been thinking implementing that same discipline in my mom life too. I too shall use the same idea of planner like above. Thank you for sharing.
Yeah, I have a hard time being exact, but it’s a world of difference if I at least try!
I agree with you that a SAH OR WAHM feels they need to be accountable for things done around the home. I always wonder why and would like to explore that thought some more. Is it because we see the home the most? Or is it because we worked a high activity job prior to being at home?
I have gotten better to sticking to a schedule too, though. I really really really like chatting in groups but if I’m not careful, I could spend all day there 🙂
Interesting thoughts! I’m not obsessed with it, but at a certain point things start to get gross
Absolutely. I love a written schedule if for nothing else the feeling of accomplishment when you check something off.
It really helps
Yes! I’ve got a lot going on right now, and I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed. A chart like this would definitely help. I like being able to cross things off and feel more productive too.
Great! Give it a shot!
Im OCD so everything must be a certain way and admittedly sometimes I wish I could reverse it all, be a little more disorganised lol I write timebased schedules for everything. Great tips?
Does that actually help with the stress when you’re OCD?
Sometimes no not at all lol. When it gets to the point of causing stress, I shift my focus through meditation. It’s a lot easier now my kids have grown up and moved out, things in the house pretty much remain in their right places lol.
It’s good you can actually recognize when you get to that point!
Yes!!! this is such a good idea! Occasionally I break out my day like this — and schedule activities by the 15 minute and half hour. Those days go so much better. I need to try this again!
Even on weekends I find I feel so much better if i do this.
These are great tips. I have a hard time keeping myself organized and on track. I like the idea of making a schedule every day. Thank you for these tips. ?
It makes a big difference!
It’s so hard to find something that works… I hope that this works…
Works for me, sometimes at least