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The one thing you need to do to revolutionise your day



I'm self-employed so through necessity, I have to fit a lot into my daily routine. This includes time physically spent at work or teaching, time at home doing the admin side of my business - social media, accounts etc, time for myself, including working out, spending time with my friends, family and pets, and time for those boring but necessary daily chores.

This does sound like I have a lot of plates spinning and in all honesty, I do, but it's just what works for me. Now, I'm not writing this post because I want to suggest I am some kind of superwoman (really, I'm far from it), but because people ask me how I manage it all and I wanted to share my secret for finding a good work/life balance...

LISTS!


Ok it's not that exciting or innovative but stick with me on this...

I write a weekly to-do list, as I'm sure loads of you do too.  I start with the things I absolutely have to do that week. If things are time sensitive, i.e. I need to pay that invoice by that date, then I also include that information. I prioritise those tasks above everything else because they are generally also the ones that are the least exciting and the ones I'd like to swerve if I could!

Next, I write down the tasks that need to be done but won't expire that week. These are often things that need doing in the next couple of weeks or by the end of the month.

Finally, I add my 'wish list' tasks. These are the things I'd love to get done but don't have a finite deadline attached to them. These are often the things that are the most creative or fun and the tasks that I could easily get wrapped up in rather than doing the less exciting ones. I allow myself to pick off these tasks as and when I've done the priority items.

I also add life-admin tasks to my list, such as going to the gym, finishing my book, meeting with friends, cleaning the guinea pigs out etc. and I prioritise these just as I would work-related items.

My lists are fluid, in that I can add things in as the week progresses or I can amend them if situations change.

My best advice would be to really think about what your priorities are. I love exercising and to me, it is how I manage my mental health so it is always a priority, as is taking time out to meditate on a daily basis. By sticking to this practise, I have managed to make the things that make me happy part of my daily habits.

It takes around 2 months for a habit to be formed, so don't panic if you don't immediately find success with list making. Just stick with it and see if it helps bring some organisation to your life!
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