When I worked as a full time Marriage + Family Therapist, most of my work was done in the field (as I know I’ve mentioned here many times before). And while it was an agency job, I still had a large amount of flexibility to create my own schedule. The requirement was that I needed to meet a certain number of billable hours a week + all paperwork (and there was tons paperwork due to the need to document all client encounters) had to be completed + filed within 72 hours. I’ve always been a structured person, so managing my time + creating schedules to assure that tasks/sessions were completed in a timely manner was relatively easy. Then I decided to start a blog (in 2013), which I’d work on at night + the weekends…. which meant I needed to be even more diligent when it came to time management. Life has certainly progressed + changed over these last seven years (two children + a career change later) but the way I try to manage my time hasn’t. I was recently asked about time blocking + efficiency to get things done in a day + I thought that I would share a few things that work for me…..

But first, I have to mention the outfit. If I had to pick an outfit that quintessentially combines my love of summer and fall this would be it. A pair of jeans that fits so well (slight stretch, but not too much) + a statement sleeve top that has remnants of summer written all over it…. both pieces seamlessly work with other items in my closet and can effortlessly make the transition comfortably. And this bucket bag (also have my eye on a Mansur Gavriel bucket bag…. so beautiful) is a great everyday option… cross-body, top handle, or on the shoulder… looks great both ways.

Now onto time blocking……

Actually, one more thought before I start…. as I typed the below tips + tricks, I realized that it sounds really easy. In reality, most days end and I’m exhausted… and feel like I’m just holding on by a thread. So, while things might get done, I’m not saying it’s always easy…. or pretty for that matter….. Yet, I know it’s a season of life that will soon pass + I’ll be sitting here wondering where all the time went…..

Prioritize

I’ve always found that identifying the most important components of each day to be essential when creating my schedule. Me time is always a must, family time is a must, and then everything falls in between. My “me time” is typically my workout, and the only way to get that done is by waking up before everyone else…. and then we do concentrated family time at dinner + bedtime with the girls. Everything else falls between the hours of 7:30am-9pm. Even scheduling in down time… mindlessly looking at my phone + reading a few pages of a new book…. are given a slot. It helps to allot a specific amount of time to each task as well. This was always helpful for me because it helped me to maintain my focus (if I had 6-8 session notes to write for a day, and I designated one hour for that in the evenings, then I hustled to get them all done so I could move on to writing for the blog). Of course life happens, and shifts have to be made, but having all tasks prioritized + scheduled helps to give structure to my day.

Make A List

This is really similar to prioritizing, but making a list helps me visualize everything that needs to get accomplished. And crossing it off as I go helps me stay motivated to move to the next task at hand.

Write It Down

I’m old school + still use a paper planner. I’ve tried switching over, but it just doesn’t work for me. Writing it down in an actual planner helps me to visualize how a day/week will look and to then plan accordingly….

Plan Ahead

Simple ways I plan ahead are by grocery shopping on the weekend (I use grocery delivery services to ensure that our family time isn’t interrupted…. opportunity cost is how I justify it) + meal prepping to ensure we have healthy meals on hand for the week. I schedule a babysitter as I see needed. Prep snacks/pack Harper’s backpack for school before she wakes up (and all the madness of the day starts). Plan out blog content a couple weeks in advance so I know what I need for photos/content.

grace

At then end of the day, if something that’s lower on the priority list doesn’t get done, it’s ok. I basically have a running list of low priority items that have yet to be completed (probably been two weeks). We aren’t super women… and it’s okay to not always get everything done. Everyone will live… and it’ll all eventually get there!
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(Outfit Details || Everlane Cheeky Jeans (cut my hem to a 21″ inseam) | Free People Something Special Tee (comes in three colors) | Mules | Sezane Mona Bag | Coin Necklace | Crescent Necklace | Sunglasses | Beaded Bracelet (10% off with code Shannon) | Black + Gold Bracelet)