How are you finding getting back into life & routine. Is it running smoothly or are you feeling frustrated. Are you brilliant at writing a to do list, to find you are drowning in a never ending to do’s that never quite get done?
Sometimes it’s actually hard to work out what is urgent & important, what has to be done today. Along with what can stay on that to do list.
There’s one small thing you can do that will change your life for the better in this year.
It only takes 5 or 10 minutes a day. It really makes the difference in your success, wellbeing and overall life.
I started doing this when covid started. Working from home with two kids, home schooling as a single mum proved tricky at times! I’ve always been super organised, especially with an events background, but I tended to work from a numbered to do list. I found that just wasn’t working with other constant demands on my time….!
I was feeling stressed & a bit disorganised. I just wasn’t getting the important things done. I felt like I was treading water. It was sooooo frustrating….
So what did I change?
I started to plan my day. I don’t mean a vague look in my diary and make a list of what needs doing. I mean really plan it. First thing in the morning, before I do anything else, I spend 5-10 minutes planning. I work out what’s really necessary that day, can anything wait or is it better to spend my time elsewhere? I work out 1-3 non negotiable tasks that I’m going to complete that day, prioritise anything else, move anything else to another day and time block it all in my daily planner – click here for the template.
Daily planning allows you to get clear and move forward in your life. It can help you stay focused & positive, and provides a little bit more balance in life, so that you feel more on the front foot.
This is really tried and tested by many people. We all know people who seem to be on top of everything & ahead of the game – it’s a well known fact that people who plan move forward, & have time to do what they want to do, plan their days and don’t let the day drift past.
I run three companies, a home, I’m sole carer & provider to my two amazing teenagers, have a dog and three chickens! So I need to be super clear on where I’m going and what I’m doing. Because otherwise there’s no way that I can get through everything & move forward. But equally, it’s really important to me that I don’t overwhelm myself. A properly planned day aids this.
The fact is you can’t do it all, all the time.
When raining turns into pouring & there are curveballs coming at you from all angles flying in, it’s not just how you deal with it, but also how you feel about yourself and what you’re saying to yourself.
Hard to believe I know, none of us are superhuman. Kindness to yourself comes into it. It helps to have a degree of flexibility and not be as rigid in what you need to achieve.
Unexpected demands on our time happen – sometimes things do just go wrong, illness, other life events (or life hassles) change our plans at the last minute.
When this happens, it’s easy to almost create more stress by being insistent that you’ve got all this stuff to do, you have to do it, you’re superhuman!! Slow down, relook at what needs to happen and reschedule the rest.
Something to try
- Block out 10 minutes the night before or in the morning – whenever works for you
- Make a cup of tea or coffee or whatever you want
- Get your diary, a pad or daily planner in front of you
- Work out what you’re doing on that particular day
- Focus on 1-3 things that are absolutely top priority for you
- Estimate the time each one will take to complete. Have a think, how long is each realistically going to take
- Underneath write down the less important to do’s – we all have plenty of these!
- Put in your schedule any appointments or timed commitments for that day
- Next time block your top 1-3 priorities
- Then time block in everything else
- I use colours to highlight the different tasks in my day, whatever works for you.
The difference it makes is often huge! Personally it gives me a real sense of calm and focus. I’m in control of my day & moving forward. I am motivated but not overwhelmed. It means not getting to the end of the day wondering what I’ve been doing, & stressed about what I haven’t done. Instead you get that real feeling of accomplishment, and that you’re actually moving forward with a purpose, which always feels so great. It really has been transformational.
So, if there is one small thing you do this year, its really plan your day. Give it ago for the next month & see the difference.
Most of all, always include some time for yourself, have fun & be fabulous!
Ali x