It doesn’t matter if you’re an early bird, a night owl, or someone who isn’t fully functional for either parts of the day, time is the thing we all want more of and can’t seem to get enough of. Organizing your day to run more smoothly can make the day’s tasks seem more bearable. And while I don’t believe there is a perfect, one-size-fits-all formula for day organizing, here are a few tips to maximize your day.
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Sit down and plan the day. Get really clear on 3 top priorities that need to get complete today before building out your to do list or your schedule. Knowing what is absolutely non-negotiable in your day will leave you feeling really clear on the direction of your day. My best suggestion is to envision what you’d like the end of your day to look like and what needs to be done for you to get there.
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Be realistic about tasks and timing. Underestimating how long a task may actually take will leave you feeling rushed when it cuts into your time for your other tasks. Build some buffer time into your schedule for the inevitable distraction or unexpected chore. You’ll be thankful when a tasks runs longer than expected.
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Eliminate distractions. Social media is a huge time waster. I’m speaking from personal experience here. Limit the Facebook/Twitter/Instagram checking. Turn off the tv. Close out your email. Get rid of non-essential distractions that only suck up your time and leave you unfulfilled. If you need a break, go for a walk, list to a podcast, read a chapter in a book, or work on a hobby.
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Action is better than nothing. If you do find yourself with less time than you anticipated, get what you can done. That gives you a head start for when you have more time to devote to the task and allows you to feel like you moved forward, even if it was only an inch.
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Carve out some time for self care. I don’t appreciate the rhetoric of constantly hustling and working yourself to the bone. This can lead to burn out and self neglect—and that doesn’t serve anyone, especially you. Try to do at least one thing a day, just for you. This will be deeply personal for everyone, whether it’s a cup of tea at the end of the day and the season’s latest Magnolia magazine, catching up on a tv show, or just 30 minutes eating leftover Halloween candy hiding in the bathroom without someone saying the word “mom” at you.
My favorite feeling is at the end of the day, striking a line through my final to do of the day. But above all, remember that perfection isn’t the goal. Forward movement, in whatever form that looks like for you, is better than waiting until there is more time. Because news flash, there isn't any.