In this post, we are going to discuss the top 5 back to school apps that you can use to save you time and stress.
We know that back to school can be a hectic time for parents, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to get everything done. In this post, we will discuss 5 of our favorite back to school apps that will help you stay organized and on top of your schedule, which will save you so much time and stress.
Google Calendar is one of the most popular calendar applications on the market, and for good reason. It’s easy to use, it’s reliable, and it has a ton of features that will make your life easier. At the beginning of each school year I download the school’s annual calendar (which you can find on your school’s website or just googling your school’s name and annual calendar) and I start inputting all the important dates into my Google Calendar. These can include:
2. Reminders App for iOs or Google Keep for Android
If you’re on iOS, this is a great free app to help you get organized. It’s simple and easy to use. You can collaborate with your kids or spouse and use it for your back to school shopping list. It’s a great tool for keeping track of both big and small tasks. You can add items to your to-do list, set deadlines, and share your to-do list with other people. Plus, this app is highly customizable, so you can make it work the way that works best for you.
I always look up the school’s specific shopping list and add items we need here.
This is a brand new app that I just discovered. It’s like a pinterest board for your life! You can have sub-boards and use it to keep track of all your important documents and paperwork. I use it to store medical information, the kids ID numbers, school activities and contacts, recipes, snack ideas and more. You can upload pictures, sites, notes, lists, or scan in your docs. It is simple to use, and it has a user-friendly interface that is perfect to use! I love that you can create boards within boards.
This was the organization I needed! I was using google keep before but I didn’t like how everything was so scattered and I often had to use the search feature. With this I can know where exactly to look. If I need my kids student ID numbers, I know to go to >Family>School> ID numbers.Â
There isn’t a day that goes by where my husband or I needs an important number, login information, or account detail. And I hate having to dig through tons of paperwork just to find it. With this app I am able to do so all on my phone. Having all your important information all in one place is essential to getting organized. This app definitely checks all the boxes! I plan to use it for our:
Shopping lists
Important Info
Medical Cards
Dental Cards
Kids measurements
Kids memories
Workout Routines
Wishlists
Activities Info
School ID numbers and teacher info
Vacation plans
Auto info
Home maintenance and projects
Recommendations for stores, restaurants, places to go etc.
This is a cool website that the kids can play after school so you can get some quiet time. Plays.org is a website where you can play tons of free games without downloading any software or apps. There are games for all ages and interests, so the kids can spend their free time playing something they’re interested in. There are also educational games!
The website is so well organized so you can find games easily. They have categories for everything for you and your kids, from educational games to simulation games.
To get started all you have to do is find your game and click play! You play directly in the browser! How easy is that? My kids have an old computer in their rooms that they can play after they do their homework and it’s fun for them and peaceful for me!
The Happy Kids Timer is a great app for younger kids, especially those who need a routine. The app has a timer that counts down, with sounds and animations that help keep the child excited and engaged. This is an excellent way to get them ready for back to school! You can create a morning routine and an evening routine. My daughter loves that it’s animated. You can edit the activities and add in your own. Some of the routine activities are things like:
 In this series, we’ve highlighted 5 great apps for helping you get organized and stay on top of your school schedule. We hope that these apps will help you get started on the path to a successful education for your kids. Thanks for reading!
Have you felt like you’re running on empty lately? And, despite your best efforts, you feel like you just couldn’t keep up with the demands of your job and are weary by the seemingly never-ending tasks? If yes, you might be suffering from stress or employee burnout.
It’s not uncommon, especially in today’s fast-paced world. But just because it’s prevalent doesn’t mean it’s okay!
There are a lot of things that can contribute to work-related stress. It could be the pressure to meet deadlines, the fear of making mistakes, or the feeling of being undervalued or unappreciated. But, whatever the cause may be, it’s important to find ways to recharge your batteries. Or else it can lead to mental and physical health problems and affect your productivity. So, if you are in dire need of some energy-boosting tips, read on!
Table of Contents
Ways to Recover your Energy Back
Here are the seven simple ways to combat stress and get your energy back:
1. Take breaks or days off.
It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to take breaks when we’re stressed. But if we don’t take the time to relax, our bodies will eventually start to wear down. So, make sure you’re taking at least a few minutes to get up, stretch, grab a snack or do something else that will help you relax.
If possible, take a day off and travel to your favorite destinations. Take your time to recharge and return feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
2. Get enough sleep.
When we’re tired and don’t sleep enough, our bodies can’t function properly, and we become more susceptible to stress. So, make sure you’re getting at least eight hours of sleep every night. If not, just take a power nap for 10 or 20 minutes during the day.
If you have trouble sleeping, try avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, establish a regular sleep schedule, and create a relaxing bedtime routine in a dark, quiet, and cool bedroom.
3. Eat healthily.
What we eat has a significant impact on our energy levels. We tend to reach for quick and easy junk food when run down. But these foods will only give you a temporary energy boost before making you crash even harder.
Instead of processed snacks, try to eat whole foods rich in nutrients, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains—foods that give you sustained energy throughout the day.
The diet rich in these foods provides a variety of vitamins and minerals that maintain your well-being and health. For example, vitamin B12 is crucial for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. However, balance is vital because too much B12 symptoms can also be detrimental to your overall well-being. Excessive intake can lead to symptoms like headaches, nausea, and even nerve damage. Therefore, a well-rounded diet with the right balance of vitamins and minerals is key to sustaining your energy levels and overall vitality.
And speaking of sustenance, make sure you’re staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your energy levels up.
4. Connect with people.
When stressed, we tend to isolate ourselves and push away people. But the human connection is vital for our mental and emotional health. When we feel connected to others, we feel supported and less alone.
So, make sure you’re taking the time to connect with your loved ones by giving them a call, sending them a message, or just spending some time with them in person. You can also connect with people by joining a club, volunteering for a cause, or conversing with a stranger.
5. Organize your workspace.
A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind. Organizing your workspace is a great way to reduce stress and boost productivity. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take some time to declutter and organize your desk. It will help you to focus and feel more in control of your work.
And while you’re at it, declutter your digital space as well. Go through your email inbox and delete any old or unimportant messages. Unsubscribe from newsletters or social media accounts that you no longer use or enjoy to quickly focus on what’s important.
6. Exercise and meditate.
When we are stressed, our bodies produce the hormone cortisol. This hormone can have a negative impact on our energy levels, mood, and overall health. On the other hand, our bodies release endorphins when we are exercising. These hormones have mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects. So, not only will exercise help you reduce stress, but it will also give you more energy.
A brisk walk, light yoga, or even simple stretching exercises can help you feel more relaxed and energized. You can also try meditation to combat burnout, focus on the present moment, and clear your mind of all the negative thoughts that can contribute to your stress.
7. Do things that make you happy.
Coping with stress can be tough, so it’s important to do activities that will make you happy and relax. While some people enjoy traveling, hiking, or painting, others prefer doing house chores like cooking, gardening, or doing laundry. So, it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it’s something that brings you joy, then you should do it!
Also, it may seem like a frivolous way of spending your money, but buying things that make you happy and feel good can benefit your mental health. You may purchase designer jewelry, bags, shoes, or even comfort food. Likewise, pamper yourself by taking a relaxing bath or going to a spa or salon to rejuvenate.
Final Takeaway
Stress from work is inevitable, but there are ways to manage it, so it doesn’t take a toll on your energy levels. Try simplifying and optimizing your life by closely examining your daily routine and making changes to streamline it. Be more productive, but take breaks when needed. If stress from work is affecting your quality of life, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. They can help you find ways to cope.
Do you have any other tips that work well for you? Share them in the comments below!
Sophia Young recently quit a non-writing job to finally be able to tell stories and paint the world through her words. She loves talking about fashion and weddings and travel, but she can also easily kick ass with a thousand-word article about the latest marketing and business trends, finance-related topics, and can probably even whip up a nice heart-warming article about family life. She can totally go from fashion guru to your friendly neighborhood cat lady with mean budgeting skills and home tips real quick.
Everybody has a busy life and with that, they often find themselves struggling to keep up with their home and family management. This can be a major hassle not only because of the mess that it creates, but also because it can be extremely difficult to get things done when you can’t find anything you need. Imagine being so organized that when someone asks you a specific question you know exactly where to find it and give the answer to them within seconds? This is what you can achieve with a home management binder.
A home and family management binder is essentially a collection of all the documents and information that you need to effectively manage your home and family. This could include anything from bills to photos to mortgage papers – the list goes on and on. The great thing about having a home and family management binder is that it ensures that everything is organized in one place so that you can access it quickly and easily. This makes it much easier to keep track of your finances, schedule appointments, communicate with your loved ones, and so on.
So why not get started today by creating your very own home and family management binder? It’s an easy task that can have a major impact on your ability to live life to the fullest.
Why is a Home & Family Management Binder So Useful?
A home management binder can be a valuable tool for organizing your home and keeping track of your important family information. A binder can help you keep track of important dates and events, as well as store important documents such as insurance policies and mortgage papers. A binder also makes it easy to access important information when you need it, whether you are cleaning up after a party or trying to remember where you put your car keys.
What Should I Include In My Home & Family Management Binder?
A home management binder can help you keep track of important information, such as your mortgage information, insurance policies, and contact information for important people in your life. You can also use the binder to store important documents and photos. You should include:
-Your name and contact information
-Your current address
-Information about any mortgages or loans you have (including the name of the lender, account number, interest rate, etc.)
-Information about all of your insurance policies (name of company, policy number, coverage amounts)
-Location and contact info for all utilities (gas/electric/water) in your area
-Names and contact info for all members of your household (include pets if applicable)
-Names and contact info for all landlords or property managers in your area
-Names and contact info for your children’s school or extracurricular activities
-Household services and appliances
-Medical information
-Auto Maintenance and Repair Records
How Do I Actually Use My Home Management Binder?
There are a few different ways that you can use your home management binder. One way is to actually use it as a reference guide. This means that you can go to the particular section that you are looking for and then you can start taking action on the items that are listed in that section.
Another way to use your home management binder is to set goals for yourself and then to track your progress. This will help you to stay on track and to make sure that you are achieving the goals that you have set for yourself.
Finally, another way to use your home management binder is to keep track of all of the changes that are happening in your household. This will allow you to keep track of all of the new things that are happening in your life and it will also allow you to keep track of all of the changes that are happening in your household.
With my printable and digital home management binder you can have a physical copy in your home and a digital version with you on your phone wherever you go! My new version of my home management binder – the household hub – is also editable! So you can pre-fill out the forms before you print it out!
Here is everything included in my home binder:
All the Pages Included:
Family Info & Contacts
Important Family Information
Emergency Info
Friends and Neighbors Contacts
School contact info
Children’s height/weight tracker
Safety Info
Clothing Sizes
Home Management
Cleaning services, and cleaning routines
Home projects and home
maintenance contacts
Home and appliance info and details
Cleaning checklists
 Auto Management
Medical Info
Doctor/Dentist Appointments and Visits
Medical Info
Symptoms, Blood Glucose Tracker, Medication Log, Prescription Information, Allergy Information and more
While a home management binder is definitely useful, it is not necessary in order to take care of your home. There are a number of different online tools that you can use to help you to stay organized and to get everything done.
By having all of your important documents, bills, and payments in one place, you can easily keep track of your finances and stay on top of your schedule. Additionally, a home management binder can be helpful if you have a lot of random papers cluttering up your living space. Rather than having to search through files and folders every time you need to refer to something, having everything readily available in one place will make it much easier. However, keep in mind that not everyone needs or benefits from a home management binder. Some people prefer to keep their important documents electronically stored instead of physically located. If this is the case for you, then a home management binder may not be necessary or feasible for you.
Conclusion
A home management binder is a great way to get organized and to start taking care of your home in a more streamlined way. Not only will it make your life a lot easier, but it will also help you to save a lot of time and money.
If you’re looking for a home management binder with tons of pages and everything you need to keep track of your home and family be sure to check out my printable and digital home binders here. You will get access to both versions included!
The digital version is perfect for on the go, with all the information you need at your fingertips. The printable version has a lot of pages with spaces to jot down notes and organize your thoughts.
Regardless of which version YOU choose, make sure to fill it with all the important info about your home and family! This way, everything will be at your fingertips when needed and chaos will be kept to a minimum!
Moving can be a daunting task, but with these free printable color-coded moving labels, it will be a lot easier. Not only will you have your labels in hand when you need them, but they will also make sure that your belongings are properly sorted and organized.
There are several different colors to choose from, so you can easily identify what belongs to which room. Plus, each label is sized to fit on a standard size box or bag. So whether you’re packing up for college or simply move-in day at your new home, these labels are perfect for making the process go more smoothly.
If you’re looking for easy and efficient way to organize your move, scroll down to get these free printable color-coded moving labels!
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What are Printable Color-Coded Moving Labels?
Printable color-coded moving labels can help make your move easier and safer. By having a specific label for each item in your move, you can avoid mislabeling and mistakes. Additionally, the labels can keep you organized and on track, helping you get everything moved in a timely manner.Â
There are several different colors to choose from, so you can easily identify what belongs to which room. Plus, each label is sized to fit on a standard size box or bag. So whether you’re packing up for college or simply move-in day at your new home, these labels are perfect for making the process go more smoothly.
 How do they Help You?
Moving can be a very daunting task, but with these colorful labels, it can be made much easier. By following the color-coded system, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and when. Plus, by having a system in place, you’ll make sure that your move is as safe as possible. Missing items or mistakes can be eliminated altogether, making the process much less stressful. If you’re in the midst of a big move, be sure to grab a set of these labels!
 How Can You Use them?
Just print them out on sticker paper and cut them out. If you don’t have sticker paper you can print them on regular paper and just tape them to your boxes. I have made it so easy for you to cut, no cutting machine needed. There are 4 labels per page. If you would like to edit the labels I have also included the canva template for you to change up the rooms or add your own. You can even add your own color coding.Â
Simply place the labels on each item as you pack it up and make sure that everything goes where it’s supposed to go. This will help avoid any accidents or confusion during your move.Â
Most of the labels are by the room like Master Bedroom, Bathroom, Kitchen etc., but I also included some categories for the bathroom, kitchen and bedrooms to include things like clothes, shoes, toys, utensils, etc. There are also fragile and heavy labels to ensure safety during your move!
There are a total of 18 pages just print out the ones you need. When printing set it to print borderless if you want it to print as far out as you can, or you can just print it to fill the entire page. I tried to design them so there’s as little white space as possible so it would be easier to trim.
If you’re ready to make your move a little less stressful, be sure to grab a set of these labels below!
How Do I Get Printable Color-Coded Moving Labels?
You can download these instantly for FREE just by clicking the link below! Or you can easily edit the editable templates yourself in canva with this template link: CANVA MOVING LABELS TEMPLATE
To get printable color-coded moving labels, you first need to download the file above. After downloading the file, open it and print out as many labels as you need. You can then use the labels to organize your belongings during your move.
Grab a set of these labels and attach them to all of your belongings as you pack them up for your move. This way, you’ll know exactly where everything is located and won’t have to worry about misplacing anything. Plus, the bright colors will make packing a lot more fun!
The printable color-coded moving labels can make your move easier and safer! They’re easy to use and can be found by clicking the button above!Â
For more household labels check out this post here:
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Happy May! I am starting this month with a brand new series called “Monthly Highlights” where I will be sharing everything that has happened in the previous month, new productivity tools I have discovered and what I am loving and learning.
After blogging for many years, I have a ton of content that you can browse through, but nothing really “new”. So these monthly highlights will help you to stay current with everything going on with my productivity habits and journey in planning!
This list might be longer but that’s because this is the first one so I don’t want to leave anything out from March as well!
Table of Contents
Monthly Highlights:
I Launched A New Course!
I launched a new course last month and it has been really exciting! I am really happy with the response so far and I hope to keep growing the community around the course.
The course is called the Productive Game Plan (previously Wonderful Plans). I added videos, brand new bonuses, and new workbooks! I also added a ton of helpful new content to it. I had a 10 day launch and invited many new students into the course! I had given access to the founding members of the course so altogether we have close to 300 students. We are working in the course together and I am hoping to increase engagement so we can all be more accountable for our actions.
I Reached a 75 Day Streak on Duolingo!
I am trying to learn Spanish, and wanted to practice for just 5-10 minutes a day. In April, I reached a 75 day streak (now currently on 82 days)! Duolingo makes learning a new language easy and fun. The points system and leagues really helps you to stick with the habit. I also allowed notifications for this app so I can be reminded to take a lesson every day. They absolutely work (somewhat incessantly, but they definitely remind me)! I hopped on the duolingo plus family plan so my husband and kids can also join in on learning a new language. Plus, I was annoyed of wasting time watching so many ads. Learn a language with me for free! Duolingo is fun, and proven to work.
April Favorites:
Things
Affirmation Cards for Self Care
I found these on Amazon for such a great price. There are tons but I loved these because of the design and how they categorized each one. Affirmation cards are a great way to self-care and affirm your goals. They can be used as part of your personal daily routine or as a monthly reminder. There are many different affirmation cards to choose from, so find one that speaks to you and use it as a tool to help you stay on track.
Brow Stamp – I was never one to have those perfect eyebrows. I totally suck at drawing them in. I am so glad I found these brow stamps, you just find a brow shape stencil similar to yours and stamp on the powder to your brows! So fast and so easy! And you get perfect looking eyebrows! This is the first time I tried one and just opted for the cheapest one I can find so I can’t compare them to other brands.
Beachwaver Curling Iron – I also suck at curling hair! I have bought quite a few of those automatic curling irons, but I almost gave up after my hair got stuck in one of them! So when I saw these beachwaver wands that didn’t trap my hair inside some kind of contraption, I was sold! The Beachwaver Curling Iron is a new and innovative way to curl your hair. The Beachwaver Curling Iron is also lightweight and easy to use, making it perfect for anyone who wants to curl their hair without spending hours on it! I can easily do my full head within 25 minutes! You can get your own for $10 off with my referral code here!
Clear Mugs – I actually got these during Christmas. It was on my wishlist and 3 different family members bought them all for me! haha! But I am so glad because it’s all anyone uses in our house anymore! They’re so lightweight, doesn’t burn your hands due to the double wall and looks amazing!
Digital Planner Stickers – For a while I was mainly functionally planning and it was getting boring for me so I started using planner stickers in my digital planner again! I was going through my old planners and loved that I can go back to any date and read what I did that day and the memories from that specific day. So I made it an effort last week to start doing that again. It makes planning fun, more productive for me, and I love memory keeping at the same time. I bought my stickers from this Etsy shop called PrintPetticoatBandit and love the variety of stickers they have for each kit!
Editable Monthly Calendar & Habit Tracker – My brand new Editable Monthly Calendar & Habit Tracker is a great way to stay organized and track your goals. It includes a monthly calendar that you can customize and a habit tracker that helps you track your progress. The calendar includes space to note important dates and events. The dates are The Editable Monthly Calendar & Habit Tracker is perfect for anyone who wants to be more organized and focus on their goals. Change the dates or just leave it undated
Add your habits once to one month and it will automatically fill for the rest of the year!
Airpods Pro – I love that these have noise cancellation! I can easily ignore any background noise and stay focused on my work.
DIY-ing my own Bath Bombs – I was spending about $200 a month on bath bombs from various stores and knew I should start making my own. I love relaxing at the end of the day with a fragrant and moisturizing bath bomb. I probably do a bath bomb only twice a week, but I hated spending so much for it to only last a few days. So I picked up a big bag of baking soda from Costco, some cornstarch, citric acid, coconut oils, fragrance oils and all the other ingredients to start making my own bath bombs. With one batch I made about 16-18 bath bombs!! I’ll send over some of the recipes I used, but my bath bombs weren’t exact I just kind of winged it (which I don’t recommend because sometimes they won’t be the right texture and will just crumble!)
Crystals – I have been collecting crystals lately. It was totally out of the blue, but in midtown Sacramento my husband always goes to his favorite game store called 1-up retro, and right across the street was a crystal shop I happened to check out. I have always loved the designs of crystals and love reading astrology. I also have been already saying affirmations every morning to myself and I feel like crystals just makes it more tangible. I have collected quite a few now and even got this etsy printable to learn about each one! I love that it’s in alphabetical order! I just printed these 2 to a page and put it into a discbound system.
Apps
ClickUp Widgets – I have recently set up a new space in my ClickUp and the system is totally working for me! I love how simple it is and I can quickly empty my mind into this space and know it will be organized. I use the widgets on my phone to quickly add a reminder or task when I am on the go.
ClickUp WhiteBoard – ClickUp recently came out with white boards where you can essentially make mind maps, kanban boards, add images, shapes and more! I love it, being the visual person that I am!
GCal Plus Extension for Google Calendar – GCal Plus Extension for Google Calendar is a handy extension that helps you manage your calendar better. It allows you to add events, notes and to-do items easily. You can also see your upcoming events in a calendar format, so you can plan your day better. Apart from that, GCal Plus Extension for Google Calendar also offers some features such as sharing calendars with others, adding location information and reminders. Overall, it’s a great extension that makes managing your calendar easier. This is how I have mine set up currently:
I am App – for affirmations. I get notifications for this and it’s a great reminder for throughout the day. I also have it on my watch! Check it out here.
Services
EveryPlate – we were using Hello Fresh for several months, but after the discounts and no more free shipping we thought we would try out a new service. We found EveryPlate because a neighbor of ours had it. Our first box was only $37 for 3 meals a week for a serving size of 4. The food tastes great very similar to Hello Fresh. The only difference is that these ingredients don’t come separated by meals. HelloFresh had a brown paper bag with all the ingredients for each meal. In EveryPlate it just comes all together in a box so we have to sort it out ourselves. But $117 vs $37 (which will go up to $69 after discounts) is still a good deal for me!
Creative Fabrica – I have been using templates from this website to create my course. I also use it for lightroom presets, digital stickers, graphics for my digital stickers, making tee shirts for my kids and so much more! Sign up here!
Courses
Uplevel with Asana – This course by Louise Henry was the perfect business setup I needed to get my products, courses and marketing organized! She just updated the course in March so I was binge watching all of it! I take what I learn from her and use it within ClickUp. Although she teaches about Asana only, I just love how much more powerful ClickUp is and I definitely don’t want to switch systems if it’s working for me.
Starting monday she is hosting a Free 5 day challenge where you can learn about setting up money-making systems. You can join that here!
This year I was at a lost of the trajectory I wanted to take my business. I have a million ideas and tend to jump around a lot, but this last month I have been focusing on my priorities and that was to update and launch my course. I am so glad I did because I very proud of the course I am creating. I can’t wait until my students go through it all in the next few weeks so they can let me know if it’s working for them!
My husband also works from home and usually kicks me out of the office when he has meetings. So naturally I got tired of it and set up my new work space in the living room. I have never been more productive in my life! I love it! The only hard thing is getting everyone to stay quiet and out of view while I am recording videos! & also finding a large place to actually record videos!
Life Update:
My family and I are waiting on updates to see if we can make a MAJOR move. We would like to move from NorCal to SoCal! It’s a big change, but we used to live in San Diego for about 5-6 years when I was in college and only moved back because we had our first son and wanted family help. But now that we are more settled and also have my sister who lives down there, we are more than ready to go back! It isn’t 100% yet as we are still waiting on some major decisions but I have been letting the universe know that I am absolutely going to make it happen!
We found that we just aren’t satisfied with living the rest of our lives settled here in Sacramento, so we want to make the move to live in one of our favorite cities, San Diego! Plus, my husband got into the Masters Program down there so he can further his education to pursue his dream of working for NASA. I am lucky that I get to work doing what I love, and I would love for him to do work that he will love and have a passion for.
We started playing tennis as a family and the kids all love it! It’s been a ton of fun!
My daughter and I have also been enjoying our morning walks around our neighborhood. She brings her double stroller for her dolls every day.
My daughter also is now fully vaccinated for COVID, so now we are all protected!
Current TV Shows:
Moon Knight
My family and I are big fans of the marvel universe and whenever a new series comes out we always have to watch it. This one is an amazing one and the season finale is this Wednesday, May 4th! I love how short this season was, they packed a lot of good stuff into it. So if you want to catch up before the finale, do it!
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle is one of my all time favorite sitcoms. It’s absurd, hysterical, and always manages to make me laugh. The characters are so relatable and the humor is spot on. It’s also incredibly well written and performed, which only makes it better.
This is the show we have seen over and over again, but we love to have on whenever we just need something to laugh at. One of those “don’t want to think” shows. We have quite a few of these kinds of shows, but right now we are watching this. We like to watch every episode in order for a few months until we move on the next. We are just about done with the last season of this show and will have to choose a new one this next month.
Goals For May:
Life:
Continue my skin care routine
Keep learning Spanish
Start packing up
No spend so we can save for a new place!
Finish up spring cleaning
Business:
New editable printables
Continue growing my online presence
Get everyone settled into the Productive Game Plan Course
Create & share new content
Also, I would love to know if there is anything you would like me to include in these monthly highlights. Thanks so much for reading all this!
Many people find themselves in a situation where they can’t enjoy themselves because they are always thinking about the future or what needs to be done next.
Optimizing your life is about finding ways to organize yourself so you can enjoy your life instead of constantly feeling like you’re running on a treadmill. With systems, routines, and habits in place, you can learn how to have fun again because you have faith in your plans.
The First Law of Ecology states that everything in the world is interconnected, and if one area of your life flows well, it impacts all the other areas of your life. According to quantum physics beliefs, we can source and create everything in our lives. When one area of your life is going well, you can assume that all the other areas are too as a result.
If you want to maximize your productivity and enjoyment in life, it’s important to have a plan for everything. A close friend of mine told me her business started picking up with clients looking for her after she got serious about improving her health. Making physical changes to her body gave her an energy boost that helped fuel the growth of her business.
Close your eyes and imagine how much easier your life would be if you had systems in place to help you with basic organization strategies. This could include things like having a plan for how you spend your time, being more organized with your finances, and knowing where all of your important documents are. When everything is in its rightful place, it makes life so much simpler! Getting excited about this idea will help make it a reality.
Here are some advantages of organizing your life so it all flows together:
1. You’ll get more done. You won’t be stressing out over when you’re going to get to dishes in the sink when you’re trying to get work done for the day because you have systems and plans set for taking care of household chores as well as business responsibilities.Â
2. Everything you need to get done will get done. You’ll have time set aside to care for your business, your health, your family and your home. You won’t have to worry that you’ll miss something–because you’ll have carved out time for it all.
3. You’ll have more free time and mental space to be creative. Again, because you won’t need to think about one thing while you’re doing another which actually causes stress for many people. Schedule free time and “me time” in your calendar.
4. Your mental health depends on it. Living life without routines, without any sort of structure for you and your family, is incredibly draining (mentally and physically) and time-consuming. Setting routines allows you to go through some motions with little thought…it’s simply what comes next in the routine. Setting a schedule allows you to assign all the important tasks a dedicated time slot so you can be confident about finishing them all.
Let’s stop here for a moment so I can reassure you that organizing your life into routines and schedules does NOT have to be overwhelming! Consider this a work in progress. I know you’re excited about this idea but do not try to change your entire life in one day. Instead, take a few hours/days/weeks to work through each of the main areas of your life and put some simple, actionable routines and practices into place–and watch how everything flows better, faster and easier! And if a certain routine doesn’t flow well, it’s in your power to make some changes.
Remember these basic principles for general life organization:
1. Find a to do list system that works for you. Do you use a basic planner or bullet journal? Clickup? Asana? Trello? Notion? Todoist? A master paper or Google Doc to do list? Pick the one that works for you.Â
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best to do list system for you will likely vary depending on your specific needs and preferences. Each of these tools has its own strengths and weaknesses; for example, a basic planner can be helpful in keeping track of multiple tasks at once, while Trello is perfect for managing large projects with many collaborators. Ultimately, the best to do list system for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
One of my clients would do a brain dump every morning and list every single little thing she could think of that needed doing for the day.She then assigned each item a time limit, such as 2 minutes to schedule a doctor’s appointment, and added these items to her daily agenda. She felt freer to conduct his work with an open, uncluttered mind, simply because he listed all those little details on paper.Â
2. Use a calendar. (You’ll need it.)
When you have a calendar, you can see at a glance what is coming up. This allows you to plan your time more efficiently, which in turn will free up more of your time for other things. Having a calendar also makes it easier to stay on track with your commitments.
3. Lean into your natural rhythms and inclinations. For example, if you prefer working at night, allow yourself to do it and organize your personal life around those nighttime hours.Â
4. Focus on achieving a better balance, rather than keeping up with everything perfectly in your life. If you have to skip a day/week of something, do it. Your aim is productivity, not perfection.
5. Simplify your environment. If you can, get rid of as many physical distractions as possible (e.g., TVs, radios, pets). If you find it difficult to focus in one room, try concentrating in another (e.g., move your work desk to a different part of the room).
6. Take breaks and relax. It is important to allow yourself time for rest and relaxation, both mentally and physically. Relaxation will help reduce stress levels and enhance your productivity overall.
7. Set boundaries with others and set reasonable expectations for yourself. Letting others know when you cannot handle additional demands will help them respect your time and not pile on more work than necessary
8. Drop the ball, as needed. If you follow the advice here, your life will flow easier. But that doesn’t mean you’ll always get it all done, all the time. Allow yourself the grace to drop the ball (or several balls) if needed, then revisit your schedule and routines for some fine tuning. I loved reading Jon Acuff’s book in one of his chapter he explained that you can’t do it all, in order to give time to something new, you have to take it from something else. He then said:
You only have two options right now. 1. Attempt more than is humanly possible and fail. 2. Choose what to bomb and succeed at a goal that matters. Perfectionism tells you to take option one. I’m going to teach you to take option two.
I love this because I have always done this in my life, and I thought it was a bad thing. After reading his book, I realized it’s totally normal to be less at something while going after something greater. There is always something that is a bigger priority for you. For example, this week I am launching my course. My husband and kids know I will be working a lot more hours during this launch so they have been helping out a lot. My husband has been taking the kids out to give me alone time, and helping even more out with dinner and laundry, so I can focus as much as I can with my course. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary in order to succeed.
You have to simplify your life in order to have more time for the things that matter most.
Check out the Productive Game Plan in module 4 we cover routines and systems where I share actionable tips to help you to finally learn how to stick to habits, set up routines and systems for your personal and professional life!
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