How Do You Organize Your Time When the Kids Are in School

How Do You Organize Your Time When the Kids Are in School

Planning is my favorite stage of organization. I get to brainstorm and dream about what God may have for me in the coming weeks and months. One of the ways that I plan best is in talking things over with someone a friend of colleague who is willing to listen and give ideas.

I know other business owners who keep a whiteboard in their office. On the board, they list dreams that they have for their business, action steps they can take to get there and even sometimes a timeframe of when each step needs to be completed.

Ive learned over the years that my plans never get anywhere unless I write them down and give them a timeline. This can be done online with tools like Google Calendar, Google Drive formerly Google Docs or collaborative tools like PBWorks.

While I do use these tools, Ive found that what works best for me is the good old paper planner. I pick one up in the dollar section at Target at the start of each year and use it to keep appointments straight. I use a Monthly Planner because I can see the whole month at a glance, which keeps me from overbooking myself. It also has a place in the sidebar to keep notes, which comes in handy if there are specific things that I need to remember throughout the month. The planner fits in my purse so I can easily pull it out and add new appointments wherever I am.

I love lists. I have stacks of tiny pieces of paper and notebooks full of lists Ive made to track projects that I want to complete and things I need to do. Unfortunately, a mound of paper doesnt help me stay on top of tasks.

Ive found that having one big notebook the kind that has dividers is the simplest way to keep track of my lists. I have a section for each major project Im working on. Then, I can keep a list of regular tasks sometimes a daily list, sometimes weekly stuck to the front page of each projects section. Once those tasks are done, I simply remove the sticky note, make up a new list of tasks and stick in where the other was. This keeps me focused and I get the satisfaction of crossing each task off the list.

One thing I constantly forget to do is schedule in time just to be. I find that I have to keep scheduled to get things done and yet part of the reason I work from home and run my own business is to have the freedom of flexibility. So, every couple of weeks I try to step back and take an hour or two just for me.

I dont even mean lunch with a friend I mean taking time to do something just for you. Go grab a cup of coffee and just sit and enjoy it. Take an hour or so to read that book youve been longing to read. OR just sit outside and enjoy Gods creation.

There are many ways to organize your days and it will depend on your personality and lifestayle as to what works for you. Try some different things until you find whats right for you. Above all, keep an attitude of gratefulness and enjoy what you do. When he put her in charge of a Coke machine and allowed her to keep the profits, she saw the benefits of being her own boss. She speaks to audiences around the country about faith and business topics. Read our full Terms of Service.

About Jill Hart

Jill Harts entrepreneurial career began in her teens when she spent a summer helping her father with his vending business, stocking pop and candy machine. When he put her in charge of a Coke machine and allowed her to keep the profits, she saw the benefits of being her own boss.

That entrepreneurial spirit motivates her to show other women how to begin and build their own businesses from home. Jill is the host of the podcast, Christian Work at Home Moment and cohost of the LIVE internet radio show, The CWAHM Network. Jill writes, blogs and speaks about finding a business niche, creative and inexpensive marketing, and finding balance while working from home. She is a featured blogger in the Guideposts Blogger Network. Jill and CWAHM have been featured in The Wall Street Journal and FIRST Magazine for Women.