Create a To-Do List
Day 8 is all about creating a workable daily to do list. Crystal tells us to be sure we make our list realistic and easy to accomplish, that way you don’t feel defeated before even beginning.
I have to admit that I am one who will over plan. I am really bad at prioritizing. In my mind EVERYTHING is a priority. If it is something that I really NEED to get done the it is important it is has to go to the top of the list.
This is why, especially, during the school semesters, my whole house tends to go to pot. I know my home and family is my main priority but I also feel very obligated to be focusing on my education. I mean, come on! I am paying ALL this money so I am going to get the most out of the experience.
When that starts to happen I find it hard to function. I don’t know were to begin. If I am cleaning my house I feel guilty that I am not reading or studying. If I am studying I feel guilty that I am not folding the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, or organizing the kitchen. To top all that off, if I am doing either one of those things I feel guilty that I am not spending more time with my kids. But if I stop to play with the kids I feel guilty that I am not doing more on school or my home.
Its a vicious cycle. And one I am striving VERY hard to break.
My first step is admitting to myself I can’t do it all
This is an area I really struggle in. My whole life I have always felt like I should be able to DO. IT. ALL.
And most importantly I should be able to do it all by myself. I don’t like the idea of feeling like I am inconvenient or burdensome. I am fully aware that people, especially in today’s day and age, are extremely busy. So I don’t like asking for help. If I can’t figure out how to get something accomplished on my own I will generally just fight my way through it and hope that I did it right. (Not the best method, I know)
However, lately, I have had to come to terms with the fact that I can’t do it all. I, more often than not, will need help.
That is why creating a TO-DO list has become one of my biggest tools in my tool belt.
About a year and a half ago I discovered Erin Condren Life Planners. I was in love at first sight. It allowed me to keep my schedule organized while also being a creative outlet. (I also discovered washi tape. Which is whole different post!) I talked about it here.
This year, due to budget constraints, I decided to go with the Create 365 Happy Planner. It is almost identical to the EC. There are a few minor changes but for most part they are the same.
I found that by writing out my daily to-do’s in my planner I am more likely to get them done. I like the feeling of checking them off. The space in the planner is small because I also use it to write out appointments and class assignments so I can’t make my list too big. I put the things that have to get done each day in there first. If there is space then I can add one or two more things.
My next step is getting the help!
Now that the kids are getting older I am also aware that I need to be getting them involved with the daily chores. Last week I took the time to throw together a chore board that had responsibilities for each person that lives in this house. Each week we are responsible for one room in the house. Of course I help the kids with their room but they still have things to do.
I am now working on check lists to go in each room so that everyone will know what is expected. Everyday general straightening will happen along with a once a week “semi-deep” clean. By enlisting the help of the people in the house I am not only teaching responsibility to my kids but I am taking some of the pressure off me to feel like I can focus on some other areas of my life.
Finally I have to give myself grace
The perfectionist in me wants everything done perfect the first time and quickly. However, the realist in me knows that’s not possible. By creating a realistic to do list each day I am able to fuel the perfectionist while keeping the realist at bay.
I am not a master at this yet by any means but I did find today’s task in the ‘Make Over Your Mornings’ challenge a bit less daunting than others because I already have a system in place. Now, I just have to take the time to fine tune it and make things go just a bit smoother.
Do you make to-do lists? If so, do you prefer old fashioned pen and paper or do you like to use an app? If you use an app, what is it?
A Wise Woman in Progress 