Are you wondering how it got to be Friday? Did the week fly by? Is your to do list just as long as it was on Monday and you have been crossing off things you have done? Sometimes I feel like little elves come in at night and add to the list or erase what I crossed off, what about you?
I have found some time saving tips so you can get stuff done and move on to the stuff you really want to do.
#1 Eliminate Non-Essentials
Decide your top priorities and don’t worry about the rest. Pick no more than 3 things you want to get done on a particular day and just do them. If you have time and can, do something else off the list – BONUS. What are some of the non-essentials tasks you could eliminate?
1. Washing and folding kids’ laundry – Let younger kids fold their own clothes. Then pick an age when your child becomes completely responsible for their own laundry. I never did this but I know lots of moms who say this works great.
2. Folding sheets — I don’t fold bed sheets. I keep one set of sheets for each bed, wash them once a week and place them back on the bed. It helps we only have one bed now to worry about.
3. Making breakfast — Keep easy to prepare foods like bagels, cheese toast, cereal and yogurt so breakfast is a DIY event. This also helps for those of us who don’t usually eat breakfast.
4. Answering the phone – Our house phone is turned down so low, we never hear it BUT people can still leave a message on the machine. I am learning to turn off my cell phone too so I can focus on what’s most important. You can use the “Do Not Disturb” setting on your smart phone and answer calls and texts when you have time. I didn’t even know there was a feature like this!
#2 – Just Say “No”
The key to eliminating non-essentials things in your life is learning to set good boundaries. UGH! Sometimes you will need to make the tough choice of saying “NO” to things outside your values and priorities. This is never easy. Learning to decline social engagements, job offers and other requests will be easier than turning down friends, family and work associates. Sometimes it is necessary if you want to live your best life focusing on what matter’s most. Remember it is progress not perfection.
#3 – Batch Tasks
Once you have eliminated tasks you can’t or shouldn’t be doing, how about finding a way to do them more efficiently. One trick is to group them together and do them at one time. Here are some examples of task batching:
1. Bulk cooking — I always cook for 4 – 6 people even though there are only 2 of us. Why? Hubby works the night shift and I freeze portioned meals for us to use during the week. No pre-packaged frozen meals in this house.
2. Errand day – Pick one day a week to complete all of your shopping and other errands. This not only saves time, but gas money because you can plan the most efficient route.
#4 – Use Online Services
I am learning how to do this more often. We use JET.com where prices drop as you shop. They offer discounts on your first 3 orders, Ebates offers a 3% rebate all of the time and shipping is free for orders over $35. I am now using Amazon PRIME and learning as I go along. Have you checked out Amazon Family? It’s part of Amazon Prime and gives you 20% off on diaper subscriptions, free shipping, exclusive baby registry and family discounts and more. You can get a FREE trial of AMAZON prime. What is your favorite online service?
#5 – Create Routines
One of the best way to save time and simplify your life is by creating routines as much as possible. Specific days for specific tasks, create a morning and evening routine for you and your family, clean your house in the same order every week. Routines help to ensure you can take care of important tasks without expending much energy. Regular routines will also help your kids feel calmer because they know what to expect. I learned this early when raising Belinda. “Winging” things did not work well for her but when she had a set schedule, life was so much easier for this single mom.
Want are you best time saving tips for moms?
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 