A Few Tips For Being (and Feeling) More Productive

Do any of y'all just feel completely overwhelmed and like your just NOT getting very much accomplished even though you've set out with a purpose to do and get all that stuff done, written to-do-lists, made out schedules and everything, but you're just not seeming to get anywhere at all?  I certainly know I do sometimes; especially being a new wife and mother with a little 6 month old baby boy, trying to keep a clean home (having always been a "creatively messy" child growing up), learning to cook (and actually have meals that are good and on time),  all the while helping work with my husband running our home-based businesses (and I know it's just gonna get even more complicated as life continues).  So how are we supposed to get all of our normal household tasks (and abnormal tasks that come up) done and still finally get to make, learn, or do some of those things that we are always wanting to try to get to?  Well, here are some of my tips to actually feeling like your getting stuff done and accomplishing a lot!  We all really have a lot more time than we think we do, it's rather more about how we are managing that time.

I'd always kind of been that person that's had great intentions and started so many projects, but didn't always seem to finish them or I got to feeling that I was stuck going around in circles and just not getting ahead on anything (or my regular tasks just got left undone), but here are some practical ideas that my husband has taught me, my mother told me, and that I've been learning along the way.

Write a To-Do-List

This is very important, but also it's very important to not let them be too big.  Keep them small enough and in steps that you can actually achieve.  Don't write down so many that you get completely overwhelmed from the very beginning.  I like to keep my lists small with like only 6 or so at time until you get them done.  If you feel like you just can't remember everything that you need to get done, I've found that writing a "master list" is helpful, but don't let that be your daily "to-do-list".  Once you've finished your small list that you can actually handle right now, then you can go back to the master list and set yourself 6-8 or so new goals.

Don't Generalize Your Lists

For example "Clean whole house" is something that needs done, but break it down for yourself into manageable goals like "vacuum the floors", "do a 4 loads of laundry", etc.. Make sure to be more specific and you'll actually feel like you're getting somewhere instead of letting the monstrous job of "clean entire house" overwhelm and discourage you.  Make daily top priority goals like:

         - set out meat from freezer for tonight's supper to start thawing
          - clean shower and toilet
          - call pediatrician
          - write a blog post
          - make biscuits for tomorrow's breakfast
          - organize 1 closet
          - take pictures for 5 items to post in online store
          - exercise for thirty minutes

Every Minute Matters

Whenever you find yourself having even 2 or 3 minutes here or there; USE THEM WISELY!!!  It's amazing how much can actually be done in a very short amount of time.

 -Do a quick clean up of a counter or table area
 -Patch a small tear on a pair of pants
 -Write a thank-you note or answer an important email
 -Swap a load of laundry
 -Take your vitamins
 -Write a quick list of about 5 new products to start making to sell in our online store
 -Wash a couple mirrors
 -Never walk over anything; go ahead and pick that object up and put it away
 -Take the trash out to be burnt
 -Organize a "clutter space"
 -Practice an instrument for 15 minutes so you don't get rusty
 -Drink a glass of water (something that I am always reminding myself since I'm nursing my baby)
 -Write a list of meals to make for next month to save yourself that time later
 -Call or text your husband to tell him how much you love him (that'll always lift your spirits)
 -Sweep a floor

Make a habit of using every moment instead of dreading your work or spending all your time thinking of everything that needs done.  Playing good music, lighting some nice smelling candles, and things like that are also helpful for keeping a positive attitude and setting a good atmosphere for yourself and always stay in constant pray (God is my best friend and talking with Him is one of utmost, main things that keeps me motivated and going/moving forward).  Be efficient, break it all down, go and get that stuff done.  I'm by far not perfect, but these are a few of the things that have helped me.  Don't get stuck in the rut of feeling like your life revolves around diaper changes, laundry, dirty dishes, bill paying, and clutter cleaning.  Instead get a plan, get organized, and set daily goals that you can accomplish.  Every second counts and eventually they add up to minutes, hours, days, weeks, and years so make them worth something and manage your time wisely! :)