So much to do so little time and energy!
If there’s one thing, I’ve learned in the last year it’s to make a plan. Yep, a plan of action it’s as simple as that. Having something written down helps to organise your brain and keeps you focused.
Do you feel like you never have enough time to do all the things and nothing ever goes to plan? There’s cooking, cleaning, washing, and errands to run all while trying to take care of the tiny humans in your life. Getting everything done, day in day out can seem like an impossible task.
I can’t tell you how much time I waste just feeling overwhelmed; I spend most days the putting it all off!
Procrastination is the ultimate thief of time; I’m all for living on the edge! But there comes the point when you have to accept putting things off until the last minute isn’t going to cut it.
Motivation is the problem though, isn’t it? I mean where do you get that stuff form anyway? Can you buy it at Tesco?!
There are days when you get up; you think “right this is it”, I’m going to do it all. You look around and haven’t a clue where to start. After a mini panic attack, comes the stress followed by anxiety and exhaustion. Then to top it off that depressive voice in your head starts, your stuff-it switch goes on; you don’t do any of it and go back to bed.
The number one time-saving tool
By planning to do only a few things to do daily and not having to do all the things helps beat that pesky beast procrastination!
To kick-start, your motivation, try writing down a few simple tasks, then tick them off when they are complete. (Who doesn’t enjoy ticking stuff off a list?!) You might even find you do more, which feels smashing.
I think writing things down in a logical order and following your plan helps relieve that jumbled mess you call a brain! Some days it’s not even a case of too much to do, it’s like the merry go round of thought running through your head won’t slow down long enough for you to catch a thought.
Planning your plan
We’re getting serious now. First of all, I find the best way to start is with a master plan, call it a brain dump if you like. A brain dump is taking all those things swimming around in your mind, using up vital head-space, and “dumping” them on to paper.
If you want to be really fancy, you can go one step further and split your brain dump up into related categories! I.e. cleaning, DIY or need to buy etc.
Once you have your master list/brain dump; split it up into these three sections.
A tasks, the most important, got to get done stuff.
B tasks, the things that need doing but it’s not life or death!
C tasks, things you would like to get done but can be put off without causing any significant catastrophes.
You will now have a clear idea of all the things that have to get done once you do this. The purpose of A tasks is to single out the ONE (or two) most important things you need to get done today. A-tasks are you’re “one thing”, and you must absolutely do these first no matter what.
I mean it! Purely because, even if your A task is the only thing you do manage to get done, you will have achieved a lot.
Get into a routine
I like to do my brain dump on a Sunday, and plan each of my days the evening before. That way when I get up in the morning, I know what I need to do that day; rather than getting myself comfortable on the sofa, because we all know that leads to facebook!
Making a list doesn’t have to be a mammoth task. Spending five or ten minutes getting yourself organised and writing stuff down can save you a whole heap of anxiety the next day.
The idea is not to overwhelm yourself with too much to do. It’s like a little brain trick when you’re only looking at a few small tasks; the stress volcanos will stay dormant.
Having a clear and focused plan will really help if you feel stuck, demotivated and miserable. Getting things done and ticked off your list feels good which in turn, enables you to carry on getting stuff done. It’s true; there’s science!
Accomplishing something; effectively makes your brain do a little happy dance. The neurotransmitter Dopamine is kicked off, which controls the brains reward and pleasure centre. Dopamine is also the driving force behind your movement and emotional responses, it not only allows you to see the rewards but to take action towards them.
Making a to-do list and prioritising your tasks daily, can relieve anxiety about the chaos you call life!
Last but not least, this system will provide structure and a plan you can stick to. A crossed out task is an achievement; you may now reward yourself accordingly. Proof that you can get things done is a cause for celebration!
How do you manage to get all the things done every day? Do you struggle or do you have your own system that works for you? Let us know in the comments 🙂
Do you need a place to start? Get life organised with this jump start guide here.
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