How often do you find yourself staring at your calendar in frustration, wondering, \u201cHow am I supposed to get all of this done?\u201d As a busy parent, I know that feeling all too well. I used to feel defeated before I even started, which didn\u2019t do much for my motivation\u2014or my mood. The stress would often make me short-tempered with my family because I was juggling so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that was then, and this is now. Over the years, as a coach, mom, wife, and all-around “busy person,” I\u2019ve experimented with countless strategies to maximize my time. Some of them worked\u2014at least for a while. But I\u2019ve learned that as you grow and take on new challenges, your strategies need to grow with you. For example, I used to meticulously draw out my schedule in a journal every day. It was a calming ritual for me. If I tried that now, though, I\u2019d probably lose my mind! These days, I rely on a planner with hourly slots to keep me on track. Overkill? Maybe for some, but it\u2019s exactly what I need right now to stay organized and successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this blog, I\u2019ll share some of the time management tricks that have been most effective for me. They\u2019re not just useful for you; they can also set a great example for your kids and help the whole family stay on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely essential. Yes, my family calendar and personal calendar are two distinct tools. The family calendar is where I track all the sporting practices, events, doctor\u2019s visits, school functions, and any other family obligations. My personal calendar, on the other hand, holds my appointments along with the activities I aspire to complete each day. What does that include? Everything that contributes to my self-care, like working out (which I call \u201cmovement\u201d), practicing gratitude, meditating, reading, and more. If these are priorities for me, they need to be scheduled, just like any other commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Family Calendar is a sanity-saver because it\u2019s accessible to everyone, centrally located in the house. The girls can easily check it themselves instead of constantly asking when \u201cx\u201d is happening or what time \u201cy\u201d starts. They can\u2019t change anything, but they\u2019re fully aware of what\u2019s coming up and can plan accordingly. If your kids are like mine and often struggle with remembering when to leave for a practice, I also mark the calendar with a \u201cLeave House\u201d time. This might include a list of items they need to bring, like \u201cwater bottle, snack, cleats,\u201d etc. This way, they can prepare in advance, set reminders on their phones, and be ready to go on time. And don\u2019t forget to build in a buffer if needed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to scheduling my self-care activities, I follow a few key guidelines to structure my day effectively. For example, I limit myself to no more than three coaching appointments per day. I do this deliberately because if I\u2019m distracted or tired, I can\u2019t give my clients the attention they deserve, and I\u2019m not willing to compromise on that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve recently taken up pickleball, and I make sure to schedule time for it on my calendar every week. Another routine I\u2019ve established is \u201cweekly prep\u201d every Friday afternoon. This is when I review and organize my schedule for the upcoming week, ensuring everything is in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn to say no. Yes, it\u2019s okay to decline invitations if you just want to stay home and relax with your family in your pajamas. Saying no is essential for setting and maintaining boundaries, even with other family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the biggest challenges I\u2019ve faced (and I\u2019m sure you have too) is the last-minute project or homework assignment that your child suddenly remembers, sending you on a 9 PM run to Target. To avoid this, I encourage my girls to text me or leave a sticky note on my desk with anything they need, so I can help them in advance. Stocking up on essentials, like buying a value pack of poster board at the start of the school year, also helps prevent these late-night emergencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve made it clear to my girls: \u201cYour poor planning is not my emergency.\u201d I\u2019m more than willing to support their success, but they need to meet me halfway. While I don\u2019t hover over them or check their agendas for important dates, I do ask casually once a week if they have any big projects or tests coming up. I make sure they go through each class and think it through, rather than just giving me a quick \u201cnah\u201d or \u201cI don\u2019t know\u201d response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t have to be in multiple places at once, and rushing around like a headless chicken doesn\u2019t make you a better parent. Consider asking your partner, a friend, or setting up a carpool to lighten the load. If necessary, don\u2019t hesitate to hire someone to help get your kids from one place to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help. Too often, I hear parents say they don\u2019t want to be a burden or inconvenience others. Nonsense. Ask. Because one day, that mom or dad who\u2019s helping you out might need a favor too, and you\u2019ll have the chance to return it. Plus, it\u2019s important for your kids to see that it\u2019s okay to ask for help\u2014model that behavior for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every weekend, my girls are eager to get out and do something, and I\u2019m usually right there with them. Meanwhile, my husband, who\u2019s been working at the office all week, craves a quiet Sunday at home. As you can imagine, this creates a bit of a conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s crucial for everyone\u2019s needs to be heard and considered. Before Friday afternoon, think about how you\u2019d like to spend your weekend. If my girls want to go both downtown and to the beach, they\u2019ll have to make a choice. It\u2019s healthy for them to learn how to prioritize and decide how they want to spend their time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes we have our family meetings when we need to get something conveyed but those are maybe, once a month. However, the hubby and I realized that we need some time weekly in order to sync up. So, Sunday afternoon, we get together in my office to decide what the week will bring. Among the topics for discussion are meal planning (so we are not making crappy choices because we did not plan for something), budget matters, and schedule! We use this time to determine what is working well in the schedule and our time management and what we need to tweak. We always need to be re-assessing our time management!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n