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Value This Life

Helping you find more joy & beauty in everyday life

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Tips for Too Much to Do and Not Enough Time to Do It

tips-too-much-to-do

We all have times when it seems like there’s no way to accomplish everything on our to-do list in the time we have available.  Like a bathtub filling with water, stress levels begin rising until they threaten to overflow.

Since I’m currently navigating the rushing waters of too many “do’s” and not enough “when’s,” let me share some fresh-in-my-mind tips on how to deal with the stress and stay on task:

Make a List

This sounds so simple you might be tempted to skip it but I’m serious.  Get the swirling to-do’s out of your head and on to paper.  When we keep thinking “I’ve got to…” or “I can’t forget to….” it creates open loops in our brain.  That can make us feel vaguely guilty and confused, which is not ideal for productivity.  Physically write it down so that your mind can process and make decisions as you do so.

Assign a “When” (But Don’t Lock Yourself In)

Julie Morgenstern said, “A to-do not connected to a when doesn’t get done.”  I seldom assign a specific time for a to-do (unless of course it’s an appointment), but I do decide which day and general time slot it will get done.  I find it discouraging to assign rigid “whens” and then have to deal with inevitable interruptions from my family. Often I do several things at once! And bigger tasks get broken up into smaller chunks, so I don’t want to write on a schedule “Clean desk for 10 minutes.” That’s just the way my brain works–I like freedom and flexibility, and I’ve gotten a LOT done over the years with that approach. When planning your “when,” group your errands, figure out when to multi-task, and take into consideration your energy level and the activities on either side of a task.

Clean Your Room

This may sound a little strange but I’m giving the advice based on what I did this very morning.  My bedroom had gotten cluttered with piles.  The bed sheets had recently been washed and the blankets were put back on the bed in the wrong order so the top one kept slipping off.  The carpet needed to be vacuumed.  I decided my “home base” should be orderly so it wouldn’t be nagging in the back of my mind.  After all, this is where we begin and end our day.  Thirty minutes of tidying, then paying a child to vacuum did wonders for my peace of mind.

Delegate or Postpone—or Both

I once wrote an impressive article on getting the kitchen ready for the holidays.  It had great plans for deep cleaning and decluttering. After looking over the schedule with my husband, we (rather, he) decided that the kitchen job would be postponed.  Later it dawned on me that I could hand many of the tasks over to my competent teenage cleaners and offer some financial incentives.  It probably won’t get done as thoroughly but perfection is overrated.

Don’t Make a Mountain Out of Your Molehill

Sure, there’s a lot to do.  But I bet if we check back with you a week from now the important stuff will have gotten done, whether you have an emotional meltdown or not.  Rather than letting your imagination run wild with embellishments to what you actually have to do, see yourself calmly accomplishing your list.  Sometimes we create anxiety even when everything is handled, just because that feels normal.  Harness the power of your imagination to think about how great you’re going to handle everything!

No matter how many lists you make, you’re still going to have to be realistic about what you can accomplish.  Tell yourself the truth about what really needs to be done, then cross the rest off the list.  That in itself is freeing and stress-relieving.  When you feel the water levels of stress rising all around you, pull the plug by using these tips to stay calm and get things done!

How do you get your “too much” done? Give us your best “keepin’ it real” tips!

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About Charlotte

I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU!

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  1. Helmy says

    April 25, 2017 at 4:01 am

    🙂 no time for comment, but thaaaaaaank you was very helpful

    Reply

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I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU! Read More…

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valuethislife

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Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot in cosmetology school so we threw a family beauty-themed party. Not one homemade decoration or treat, nothing fancy or overwhelming!  We just gathered stuff around the house for the theme and bought inexpensive party trimmings. Frozen cream puffs, mini cookies and candy (Easter colors were perfect), and “Bugles” for “nail tips.”  Done! Better a simple party with fun than a fancy party with stress!
I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beau I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beautiful. Why should we be embarrassed to admit that? Spring flowers, Fall leaves, Winter snowflakes and Summer sunsets are all beautiful. Different colors, textures and sizes—but each exquisite. What could change if you looked in the mirror with LOVE and appreciation for YOUR one-of-a-kind beauty?💕
The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot for a seasonal arrangement. Tiny red berries and antique gold branches were added for Christmas. Orange bittersweet stems and scattered leaves could give it a Fall feel. A pretty arrangement helps keep the dresser top from getting cluttered with mail and coins and papers. Your bedroom is the first and last thing you see every day, so give yourself a visual treat—something that YOU enjoy seeing.🌷
Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special f Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special for Easter! Mini Robin Eggs turn the cookies into tiny nests. Recipe for the cookies and Resurrection Rolls over at the blog!
Easter week and we need all the energy and happy b Easter week and we need all the energy and happy brain we can get! Thicker hair and strong nails are kinda nice, too. Quick and simple is my mom jam, so mixing it all together works great. Some “plant stuff” tastes like grass clippings, this isn’t that. 😂 I can help you choose, let’s chat!
Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t have to pull up a chair and turn on a movie for them. Don’t let them hang around long enough to bring you down and shape your emotions. Show them the door and turn your attention to thoughts that serve you well. Think on THOSE things. 💕
My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big wind My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big windows, almost ceiling to floor. Give me all the light! Favorite thing about photo filters: they camouflage dirty windows. **cat unintentionally included in scene, literally came out of nowhere 😳
“Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkl “Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkly eyeshadow.” Fashion advice I’m NOT listening to.💋Eyeshadow is the most FUN part of makeup for me, and I love variety! Many women prefer neutral/natural/no-makeup looks. Y’all go ahead! You do you! I’ll be over here with the purples and blues and greens and alllll the shimmers.😂💄What’s YOUR makeup look?
I don’t remember how it started, but decorating I don’t remember how it started, but decorating for the seasons has been part of the rhythm of our family life for years. I was determined to create a home where good memories could be made. Small holidays and seasonal touches mark the passage of time and anchor traditions. Sometimes the decor is very simple, sometimes more elaborate—but I’m always glad I made the effort!
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valuethislife

valuethislife
Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot in cosmetology school so we threw a family beauty-themed party. Not one homemade decoration or treat, nothing fancy or overwhelming!  We just gathered stuff around the house for the theme and bought inexpensive party trimmings. Frozen cream puffs, mini cookies and candy (Easter colors were perfect), and “Bugles” for “nail tips.”  Done! Better a simple party with fun than a fancy party with stress!
I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beau I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beautiful. Why should we be embarrassed to admit that? Spring flowers, Fall leaves, Winter snowflakes and Summer sunsets are all beautiful. Different colors, textures and sizes—but each exquisite. What could change if you looked in the mirror with LOVE and appreciation for YOUR one-of-a-kind beauty?💕
The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot for a seasonal arrangement. Tiny red berries and antique gold branches were added for Christmas. Orange bittersweet stems and scattered leaves could give it a Fall feel. A pretty arrangement helps keep the dresser top from getting cluttered with mail and coins and papers. Your bedroom is the first and last thing you see every day, so give yourself a visual treat—something that YOU enjoy seeing.🌷
Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special f Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special for Easter! Mini Robin Eggs turn the cookies into tiny nests. Recipe for the cookies and Resurrection Rolls over at the blog!
Easter week and we need all the energy and happy b Easter week and we need all the energy and happy brain we can get! Thicker hair and strong nails are kinda nice, too. Quick and simple is my mom jam, so mixing it all together works great. Some “plant stuff” tastes like grass clippings, this isn’t that. 😂 I can help you choose, let’s chat!
Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t have to pull up a chair and turn on a movie for them. Don’t let them hang around long enough to bring you down and shape your emotions. Show them the door and turn your attention to thoughts that serve you well. Think on THOSE things. 💕
My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big wind My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big windows, almost ceiling to floor. Give me all the light! Favorite thing about photo filters: they camouflage dirty windows. **cat unintentionally included in scene, literally came out of nowhere 😳
“Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkl “Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkly eyeshadow.” Fashion advice I’m NOT listening to.💋Eyeshadow is the most FUN part of makeup for me, and I love variety! Many women prefer neutral/natural/no-makeup looks. Y’all go ahead! You do you! I’ll be over here with the purples and blues and greens and alllll the shimmers.😂💄What’s YOUR makeup look?
I don’t remember how it started, but decorating I don’t remember how it started, but decorating for the seasons has been part of the rhythm of our family life for years. I was determined to create a home where good memories could be made. Small holidays and seasonal touches mark the passage of time and anchor traditions. Sometimes the decor is very simple, sometimes more elaborate—but I’m always glad I made the effort!
Follow on Instagram
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