HOW TO BE PRODUCTIVE AT HOME

HOW CAN I BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AT HOME?

That is a great question!

And once you start asking it, you can start finding answers!

That is one thing that I LOVE about life: When you define your problem and you start searching for answers, you are halfway to where you want to be.

Sometimes defining a problem can feel overwhelming, but as long as you know it is the first stop for finding solutions you can start down the road of taking new steps.

And new steps lead to new places.

Over the last few years, I have FINALLY found some success in the area of being productive at home. In the past, I have found it quite difficult to get things done at home for a variety of reasons. Letting interruptions take control, not prioritizing my own life and business, and not making my workday at home as important as a career in an office.

Once I started prioritizing the things that were important to ME and making them vital, things changed. A lot!

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If you are serious about making productivity an important part of 2020, you NEED to check out The Ultimate Productivity Bundle! It is the resource I am using for training, planners, and encouragement!

My first bit of advice is to make the things you do at home as important as the things you would do at a job. Yes, I am talking about cleaning, parenting, homeschooling, and your home business.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that the tasks that take place at home are less important than tasks that you get paid for. I think that is a common problem people run into when they are mentally getting ready for their day.

Cleaning your home is important IF it is something you really want to get done. Do not let distractions and other people’s expectations of you change that.

I found that when I was a homeschooling mom people thought that I had a ton of free time and should be able to do lots of favors for them. For a long time, I fell into accommodating that expectation for people and my own tasks were often unfinished and I felt frustrated.

I was the only person who could make my own life a priority.

Things changed drastically when I finally took that step.

HOW TO BUILD A STRONG MORNING ROUTINE

For me, a productivity mindset starts first thing in the morning.

Getting up early is a must! I set my alarm for 5:30 and I take about one hour to have coffee, have a devotional time, and write out my schedule. This hour is the space where I set my intentions for the day and make my plan.

Some days are more structured than others. For example, at least once a week I have a “time-blocked” day. This is a day where I need to get a lot done and I fill in blocks of time on my planner that will be used for specific tasks. My planner is my guide and it tells me where to be and what to be doing at a specific time.

And, yes, you can include cleaning, crafting, and reading to your children on your planner.

Do not let anyone else’s idea of what is important in life change what you are doing for the day.

Once you have your day set you need to get up and at ’em!

Time is a commodity and it is too quickly wasted by not knowing what you want to get done in a day.

Did you notice that Facebook and Instagram are not part of my morning routine? I do not want to waste my time looking at someone else’s life when I should be paying attention to my own. I save social media for little breaks in my day and I try to keep it to a minimum as it can be quite a time-waster.

THE VALUE OF SAYING “NO”

Admittedly, this one can be tough for some people.

It used to be for me, but I have finally learned that if I do not take the time to manage my own life, I have no business trying to help someone else manage theirs.

The funny thing is that the more I take control of my own life and time, the more time I have to help other people, simply because my life is not out of control.

One of the biggest things I have learned to help me decide whether or not I can help someone is to tell them I need some time to think about it and that I will get back to them. This gives me time to ponder my own needs and my family’s needs and whether their request is even something I need to engage in.

There are times when I give myself a bit of time to think and I simply realize they need to take care of the task on their own or ask somebody else. Often people overcommit themselves and then look for a way out by asking me for help. That is not my job or something I need to worry about.

And very happily, I no longer feel guilty about that.

HOW TO STAY ON A SCHEDULE

This is something that takes some time to get good at. In the past, I would only do the items on my schedule that I liked to do. Tasks I disliked would get put off until tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

I have learned that doing unlikeable tasks first is the way to go. That way I will not procrastinate as the day wears on.

Once the “yuck” stuff is done I can start working on doing what I like to do. And, for me, those things are easy.

In order for you to stay on a schedule, you absolutely have to make yourself, your life, your family and your time a priority in your own mind. No one else needs to understand that cleaning your bathroom is a priority that needs to get done. Or baking cookies with your kids. Or calling that client.

Only you need to know that.

And once you know that you are well on your way to getting a ton of good stuff done!

Start by prioritizing yourself and your life and your priorities will fall into place.

Let’s recap!

Tomorrow morning I suggest you set your alarm. Once you are awake get your coffee, read your devotional and get mentally prepared for your day. Next you will open your planner and write down all of the goodness you want to accomplish in your day.

Keep in mind that it is a must to PRIORITIZE you, your life, and your family! Think of those things as a career, even if you do not earn an income doing them.

The word “no” is one you are going to start using more often. If you can’t keep your own life in check, don’t take on someone else’s.

Once you get into your day, do the unlikeable stuff first. This will get them out of the way so you can focus on the good stuff!

I would love to know if this post helped you with how to be more productive at home. Please drop me an email or leave a comment or question in this post!

Have a lovely day!

HOW TO BE PRODUCTIVE AT HOME

HOW CAN I BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AT HOME?

If you are serious about making productivity an important part of 2020, you NEED to check out The Ultimate Productivity Bundle! It is the resource I am using for training, planners, and encouragement!