productive Archives - More Than A Mom Of Three

Have you ever thought to yourself “I wish there were more hours in the day?” or How can I get more done in a day?

Been there, done that!

Just a few weeks ago when my kiddos had a few snow days off from school it completely threw me off. I spent the next few days running around trying to do a million things in a day to get caught up.

I know that will only make things worse and you will quickly burn out on that pace.

Ways to get more done in a day and be more productive is really a simple thing. But many of us look at the overwhelming tasks we have instead of breaking them down into why we can not get them done.

To get more done in a day it requires a little planning and focus. The planning part I have down pat, however, some days implementing it is not so easy.

So here are my tips to get more done in a day that has helped feeling more accomplished and productive.

Turn Off Distractions

Cell phones, radios and Netflix in the background can be very distracting. I try to avoid all of them when I am trying to get work done. There are a time and place for the background music but not when I need to do chores that require focus.

The cell phone is the toughest for me. I explain to people just because I work from home does not mean I can take phone calls all day and chat. I am sure this goes for my homeschool moms and stay at home moms as well. People think because you are at home all day that you have all the time in the world.

between the hours my kiddos are in school is when I work. I have the school phone numbers set to its own ringtone so I do not need my phone with me at all times. If it is the school I can hear it but for everyone else, I ignore the calls and texts.

Plan Your Week

I know I know I’ve said it a million times I am a list maker and planner but for me scheduling my week out in advance helps me get more done in a day.

Every Sunday I sit down with my weekly planner and look over deadlines, kids activities, and appointments.

I then block out time frames where I could work, go to the gym or anything I need to do for the house.

If I know I am running to a certain area of town that day I try to do what I can while I am over there like a quick grocery shop. By bulking like things together during the week helps me a ton to get more done in a day.

Set A Timer

I have talked about this before in my cleaning routines. I will set timers all the time for myself.

It tricks my brain that I have this allotted time to get more done in a day in chunks. Every day, for example, I set my timer for 15 minutes to declutter something.

I created it a habit so my house does not pile up with clutter in those dumping spots on our homes.

I apply this principle in my work life too. If you need to be on social media for your job too you will understand before you know it there you are looking at crafts on Pinterest or scrolling Facebook for funny memes. It wastes time and makes you less productive.

Bonus Tip – Get Dressed Completly Each Morning

Even moms that stay home with infants and toddlers, homeschool moms or moms that work from home. Get dressed, do your hair a little bit and throw on some makeup.

Make it so you feel your best each and every morning.

I was that mom when my kids were little that thought I will get spit up on all day or we are not leaving the house so why bother.

If nothing else get dressed. There is something about throwing on real clothes that just make you feel better.

See, I told you to Get More Done In A Day is not that hard. Just some simple tweaks here an there but they make a world of difference.

8 Things To Do Before 8 am, sounds silly but it works!

We all want to have a more productive day. Have our homes run smoothly and be less stressed about it.

Right?

Once I started doing these 8 Things To Do Before 8 am I noticed a huge shift in my mood and day.

Make My Bed

The second I wake up I make my bed. For starters, it makes it less likely I will crawl back into it and second a nice made bed in the morning makes me feel like I accomplished something.

I read when I had my daughter 10 years ago when I was struggling with being a new mom if nothing else make your bed. Its a mind trick that has stuck with me.

2. Get Dressed

I know this sounds silly but getting dressed in the morning helps jump start my day.

I used to be that mom that rolled up in the minivan dropping her kids off in pajamas. Not that there is anything wrong with that but for me, I knew if I wasn’t dressed in my gym clothes right away I was not going to make it there.

3. Start A Load Of Wash

One load of wash a day is what I stick to, to keep in manageable. With 5 people the laundry can get quickly out of hand here.

This is the only way I can stay on top of it. Throw a load in and switch it over as soon as I get back from dropping my kiddos at school and working out.

4. Empty The Dishwasher

I like to start out with a nice clean kitchen first thing in the morning. I run a load of dishes each night and in the morning I empty it so my sink does not pile up during the day.

My kids can immediately put their breakfast dishes in the dishwasher before they head off to school.

5. Pick Up Any Clutter

My most important thing I like to do in my8 Things To Do Before 8 am is tackle the clutter.

For me, clutter equals chaos in my brain. Any little papers or little things laying around I quickly pick up and but into my catch-all basket.

Out of sight out of mind, since it is usually my kid’s items I let them deal with it when they get home.

6. Drink Lemon Water

This comes before my coffee. I make sure I drink a large glass of water each morning. It wakes me up and is great for your immune system and for your metabolism.

I’ve also noticed a huge change in my skin since I started drinking lemon water regularly.

7. Make My To Do List – Brain Dump

You guys know I am a big believer in making lists but it does help clear your mind. I dump everything onto a to-do list then worry about it later.

When I come back home I pick out the things that HAVE to get done that day and start. But this way my head is clear and I can focus on other things.

8. Clear Your Head

No matter if you read the Bible, meditate or take a few minutes for yourself clearing your head is good for your stress level. Since I wake up before my kids do this is just 15 mins of my morning. I don’t think about my day or anything stressful.

Usually, while I am putting on my makeup is when this me time comes in.

I really notice the difference in my productivity and mood when I do this.

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