This post is written by contributing writer, Jenni from Live Called.
Whether you are a working wife, a homeschool mom, a busy single woman or in some other season of life, you probably struggle with time management. Am I right? I think just about every woman (and man) struggles with getting things done without letting the hours of the day slip through their fingers.
If you are like me, you need structure, but find daily schedules to be confining. I am here to tell you there is hope! You can still benefit from establishing a timetable for your day without additional stress. Just keep these ideas in mind as your create a flexible schedule that works for you.
3 Tips for Stress-Free Time Management
“There’s got to be a plan, but there’s also got to be room to move within that plan. If you don’t leave room to move, you’ll go crazy and get bogged down, wanting only to break free from the rigidity.”
–Amy Lynn Andrews, Tell Your Time
1. Schedule using wide margins of time.
Many people, especially if you like to micro-manage, schedule in 15-30 minute increments. While it may look great on paper, living it out can be difficult when your day doesn’t go as planned. I have found that scheduling in hour increments to be most beneficial. While I know that eating breakfast and doing the dishes won’t take the full hour, planning in this way allows for unexpected additions in my agenda for the day. If my daughter sleeps longer than usual or I have a random issue pop up, it doesn’t mess up my entire itinerary.
2. Leave at least an hour or two unscheduled.
Along with using wide margins of time, setting aside 1-2 hours of unscheduled time each day will help take the pressure off your already burdened shoulders. Depending on your needs, you can use this “free time” to get extra work done, play catch up, or take a much needed break. I always prefer to take a nap or do something fun, if possible!
3. Don’t be a slave to your schedule.
It is important to remember that while a schedule helps you better manage your time, it is not the master of your time. There may be some days in which you must throw out the pre-planned agenda and roll with what comes your way. And that is OK. Give yourself grace, do what you need to do, and then start anew the next morning.
As you can see, managing your time is not only possible, but can be stress-free as well. I hope these tips will help jump start your scheduling and give you hope for a more relaxed routine.
How do you keep time management stress-free? Share your scheduling secrets in a comment!
Need more encouragement for scheduling your time without adding stress? Check out these posts:
- 5 Practical Steps You Can Take to Make the Best Use of Your Time
- Developing a Personal Mission Statement
- Are You Bearing a Burden That is Not Yours to Bear
About Jenni Mullinix
SUCH great advice here! I have struggled within the confines of an hour by hour schedule, and recently considered something like this, but this post has inspired me to really put it in place. Thank you for your tips!
So glad this was inspiring to you Debbie!
Jenni Mullinix recently posted..Time Management: Tips for Stress-Free Scheduling
Love this! Especially the part about the margins. I try to keep my schedule pretty flexible and each day focus on my top 3 priorities (this doesn’t include basics like cleaning routines). When I over schedule, I feel overwhelmed and like I have to rebel against my own list. I’ve learned in my life that if I can get to my top 3 things for day and finish them by a set time (it’s usually noon) – then I can relax and enjoy everything else. And I end up getting more accomplished than when I had a huge list. Great post Jenni!
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I totally agree, Stephanie! I have to focus on just a few things each day as well, otherwise I get overwhelmed. Thanks for sharing!
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Very Simple. Very Practicle Tips! What a great reminder. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you you for your kind comment, Jeri Lynn!
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Such practical advice here, Jenni. The thing I struggle with most in time management is having the discipline to do the things I don’t want to do that need to be done (e.g. cleaning the kitchen floor, ironing etc) rather than doing the things I like doing but aren’t such a high priority (e.g. blogging, reading etc).
Thanks for the tips.
Mel
I can identify with your struggle, Mel. I think that’s why having a schedule and routines is so helpful to me.
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Awesome tips! I am guilty of wasting time. And the tendency is that I’d panic on the last minute and try to finish all of my tasks on that small amount of time. Usually it works out fine but then I’d have to admit, it’s not a good habit.
I think it is just a matter of prioritizing, knowing how to schedule things depending on the time and also avoiding time wasters is definitely a huge help.