Today, we’re tackling another question that so many of you have inquired about. It’s a great time for me to share on this subject because I have been doing a lot of snapstories on snapchat pertaining to getting more organized, fitting everything in, and creating a fluid system to a functioning family. Here is your question:  Please share your tips and tricks for when to plan, how to plan, staying motivated and organized, and time management. There doesn’t ever seem to be enough hours in the day! I run out of daylight before I run out of work to be done almost everyday. 

My response: As for when to plan, if you have not read my blog post on Keeping A Family Calendar, I suggest you take the time to read it. In that post, I talk about looking at the family schedule on Sunday and take in – or process the upcoming week. Always stay one day ahead. For instance, on Wednesday, look at Thursday. Wrap your head around what that day consists of. What’s the work schedule? What are the family activities and obligations? From there, ask yourself personal questions, “Do I want to get a work-out in?”, “Do I need to make any stops for groceries, a gift, pick up a prescription, etc.?”. Once you determine these things, the information is provided for you to create a stress free day. You may have to get up an hour earlier to fit everything in, each day will be different. You may need to go to bed earlier because you will get up earlier. Then stick to it. Stick with your plan. Don’t deviate, it will only cause animosity, chaos, and regret. Most of the stress we have, we ourselves have created. And frankly, most of this stress is preventable.

My suggestion and what works for me as for motivation and to sticking with a plan: I don’t think about it. The brain is a useful tool but can also be your biggest enemy! Tame it. Don’t think about ‘if’ or ‘if not’. If you’re playing that wishy-washy game, it will always end up being ‘if not’. As I have coached people over the years, I often hear, “But I don’t like to work-out. I end up resetting my alarm and sleeping longer.” Then they say to me, “You’re lucky, you like to work out.” I about die when I hear this, “LIKE to work-out???” “What, are you kidding me???” It’s not that I like doing ANYTHING!!! It’s not a choice, it’s a responsibility. Sticking to a plan, whatever that plan is, is not a choice. It’s your responsibility. It has to be done. In order to function, it has to be done. No motivation required, don’t think about it, just do! In a nut shell, THIS is time management!

Managing your time is determined on when you mentally clock-in/plug-in. There isn’t enough hours in the day, for sure. Having a daily task list, such as the one you see in my snapstories will help you keep the priorities in order. The top of your task list will have the must-do’s, these are the non-negotiables; they have to be done. Towards the bottom of the list will be the items that you may or may not get to, because again, there is not enough hours in a day. If you don’t get to those items, they get moved to the following days list, and then let it go. Don’t let it eat you up .. move on. You at least got the must-do’s done. Again, I use the Cozi app on my phone to achieve this. Each family member has a separate task list for each day of the week. I will definitely be doing an entire blog post, and possible video, on how to master this. It is worth mastering, trust me. It goes back to my motto, ‘Failing to plan is planning to fail’! This applies to all areas of your life: your work, what you eat, your work-outs, your family budget, your family schedule, and so on. Even if it’s only an hour or two, ALWAYS carve out personal time for yourself each week, as well as spouse & family time.

I hope you found this post to be resourceful, I know how hard it can be. Always know that you are not alone in your quest to make your life more productive and stress-free. Take it one day at a time and recognize we all have our ‘off’ days. Thank you ladies for submitting this question!

For today’s look: During the doldrums of winter, I can not resist adding some color into my life. I love this look! This sweater is only $15. What a steal, and such a great transitioning piece heading into spring. All the details and links are below. Before you know it, spring will be in full bloom. I, for one, can not wait.

Sweater: New York & Co. comes in several different colors  |  Jeans: Guess Skinny  Curvy-fit Skinny Leg  Plain Pocket Skinnies Levies Perfectly Slimming  |  Handbag: INC International Concepts comes in several different colors  |  Shoes:  INC International Concepts comes in several differemt colors  |  Lipstick: Maybelline Fifth Avenue Fuchsia  |  Lipliner: Urban Decay, Jilted  |  Lipgloss: Rimmel in Fuchsia Fever