Have you ever felt like you have too many balls in the air? Like you’re trying to remember so many things it is inevitable that some of them are going to fall through the cracks?
Um, yeah. That is pretty much every mom ever.
It is definitely me right now.
With teaching full time, being the wife of a seminarian, raising three children, writing, and trying to take care of myself–I frequently feel overwhelmed.
But, in the past two weeks, I have discovered a simple little trick that is seriously saving my sanity.
What is Saving My Sanity Right Now
First, let me say, that no “trick” or “life hack” is actually going to save our sanity–or especially our souls. Spending time in prayer, going to services, and reading the Bible and spiritual books is the ultimate way to find peace throughout our days. So, know that this simple organizational tip is not going to replace those deep spiritual truths.
With that said, here is what I have been doing:
I send myself a text message each night.
“Wow, Sarah.” I can hear you thinking. “That does sound life-changing.” Hear me out!
1.Set Limited Weekly Goals
First, each Sunday evening I sit down and create 10-12 goals for the next week. I organize them into four categories that line up with my priorities:
-Spiritual Goals
-Personal Goals
-Relationship Goals
-Professional Goals
Next, I write 2-3 goals for each category. These are not random wishes or vague hopes. They line up with my Goals for 2018 or with my necessary tasks for the week ahead.
For example, a recent week’s goals looked like this:
Spiritual Goals
1.Read 5 Chapters in the Book of Acts
2.Attend Women’s Prayer Group
Personal Goals
3. Exercise 3 days
4. Read 2 books
5. Make dental appointments for myself and the children
Relationship Goals
6. Call my brother
7. Play a board game with the children
8. Have an in-house date night with Dan
Professional Goals
9. Map out the year’s Bible curriculum for my fourth grade class
10. Write 2 blog posts
I keep a folder in my Google Drive for my weekly goals. Each week I simply make a new file. I used to do this with paper and pencil or with a paper planner, but I find that I am on my computer more often and can access the list more easily this way.
Choose Four “Essential Things” For the Next Day
Next, each evening I take a look at that list of goals. Then I decide on my “Four Essential Things” that I want to accomplish the next day. These may be a complete goal or a step that I need to take in reaching that goal.
I also make sure to have one of those essential things involve self-care in some form. That way I am not pushing myself too hard any particular day. I am building in space to relax and breathe. This has been huge!
Here are some examples of my daily “Four Essential Things” based on the goals listed above.
Four Essential Things Day 1:
1.Text my brother to find a time to talk
2.Read 5 Chapters in Acts
3. Go on a run
4. Read in bed
Four Essential Things Day 2:
1.Attend Women’s Group
2. Find a dentist office that accepts our insurance
3. Plan Bible curriculum during my planning period
4. Go to bed by 10
Four Essential Things Day 3:
1.Talk to my brother on the phone
2. Make dental appointments
3. Go on a run
4. Write one blog post
As you can see, no one day has an overwhelming amount to do. It feels manageable and balanced.
Once I have made my Four Essential Things, I send myself a text message with those things listed.
The act of sending that text message solidifies my goals for the next day in my head. It also is a way of keeping myself accountable. Plus, practically, I can easily see those goals and refer to them throughout the day.
This simple act of sending myself a text message has been key!
Create a Loose Schedule for the Day
Finally, once I have decided upon and sent myself a message with my Four Essential Things, I make a loose schedule for the next day.
In that loose schedule, I plan out how I will fit those daily goals into my life. Here’s an example for Day 1 listed above.
Four Essential Things:
1.Text my brother to find a time to talk
2.Read 5 Chapters in Acts
3. Go on a run
4. Read in bed
Schedule:
6:00-6:50 Up, ready, kids up and ready, breakfast, out the door
6:50-7:20 Everyone in car together going to schools; text my brother while in the car
7:20-8:00 In my classroom, getting ready to teach (my oldest two children are with me since they go to my school)
8:00-3:30 Teaching; read 5 Chapters in Acts during Silent Reading Time (when all of my students are reading, I like to read, too)
3:30-4:30 Go on a run while my kids are in after-school activities
4:30-5:30 Ride the train with Andrew and Ella, my husband picks us up, go home
5:30-6:00 Dinner prep; Homework help
6:00-6:30 Family dinner
6:30-7:00 Clean up, showers, read with George and Ella; Andrew finishes his homework
7:00-7:30 My husband works on his schoolwork; I put George and Ella to bed
7:30-8:00 Time with Andrew; put him to bed
8:00 It’s 8:00 and I have already accomplished most of my goals and have the kids in bed. Now I get to read and relax!
So, as you can see, this tip is nothing new. In fact, you’ve probably read about planning your day and setting goals in other books and articles.
However, here are my two biggest epiphanies–the 2 things that have helped me:
1.I send my Four Essential Things to myself through a text message
2. At least one of my Four Essential Things falls into the self-care category each day.
I would love to hear any time management tips that you have! How do you organize your life? What helps you maintain peace in your busy days?
