Category Archives: mindset shift

How Do You Know You Are Busy?

mindset shift, time management

I was recently talking to someone about being busy. She said she knows she’s busy when she’s been working 7 days straight for weeks on end. Not making time for anything fun. 

And yes, that is busy. I also wonder if being busy includes those fun activities that we said yes to long ago but no longer find fun. 

If you’re used to plowing through each day, hauling kids from one activity to another (or running to your own), crossing tasks off your list as fast as you can, falling into bed exhausted at the end of the day, then you might not even be aware of how you are spending your time.

We committed to something and continue to do it because we feel we should or we don’t know how to say no. 

We do what’s on our task list because it’s there, not really thinking about why we are doing it and if it’s worth the time. 

How do we break this cycle?

What if you tracked your time, every 30-60 minutes for one, maybe even two weeks? (Find resources on how to do that here.)

Then spend time evaluating where your time is really going. 

know you are busy

When we track our time, we know where it’s going. We might think we’re spending a lot of time working, but we’re really not (or vice versa). Or that we’re rarely on social media, but in reality, the amount of time we spend mindlessly playing on the Internet surprises us. Or that all we do is laundry and dishes. But in reality, it’s less than 20 minutes a day on both. 

Then, what if we took that information and started being more intentional with our time? Finding ways to stop doing the things that no longer serve us. Focusing on the tasks that are moving us forward in our lives, both professionally and personally. Wrapping up the projects that we’ve committed to but they linger because we’re not invested in them anymore. (and, wrapping up could include delegating or deleting, if that’s possible). 

What does your time look like? Are you busy? Or are you spending your time intentionally?

If you want to talk about tracking your time and what to do with that information once you have it, schedule a 30-minute call with me!

Sometimes I Think Busy Is A Four-Letter Word

habits, mindset shift, time management

Yes, I said it. I think busy is a four-letter word. And not a good one.

Are you constantly doing something? A task on your to-do list? A commitment or activity?

busy is a four-letter word

Is everything that you’re doing moving you forward personally or professionally? Or the required parts of living, like dishes and laundry? 

Or are there things on there that you do but aren’t really necessary? You’re going through the motions, without thinking about what you’re doing? (It’s ok, be honest with yourself here). 

Sometimes, I think our society treats being busy as a badge of honor. 

We’re a country that doesn’t guarantee time off. Most companies who do offer vacation time only offer about two weeks. And those of us who have vacation rarely take that time. And if we do, we’re checking emails and taking calls. 

We never really rest. 

Outside of work, we have ourselves and our kids signed up for every activity under the sun. Every minute is a scheduled play date, sports, or music activity. Weekends are full of birthday parties, more play dates, and more sports. 

We can’t let ourselves or our kids ever utter the sentence I’m bored. (Side note here, I’ve read it isn’t actually that they’re bored, but that they want connection with you. And giving them connection, and sitting with them in their boredom for a few minutes, moves them out of it). 

We never stop that constantly running list in our heads. When we’re working, we’re thinking about the house tasks and if we’ve spent enough time with our kids. When we’re with our kids, we’re thinking of all the other tasks we’re not doing. 

So we’re never really present in our lives. This is part of our overwhelm. This constantly feeling like there’s something else we need to be doing.  

And we complain about it, but in a way that makes it seem like there’s really nothing we can do about it. (Or that we enjoy it, maybe, we’re not sure. We’re too tired to really figure it out). 

So what do we do?

So, what happens if we say no to a few of those birthday party invitations? To all the activities? Picking one or two for each family member each season? 

What if we make time for leisure? For rest? 

Those to-do lists are always going to be there. There will always be something that needs to be done.

If you have ways to manage your tasks (something I talk often about here and in my virtual community, Stride Together) you know that your big stuff is taken care of. It’s documented. It’s scheduled. There’s time. So you can focus on the work task or spending time with the kids.

What are you going to do with this leisure? 

Want to keep reading? Here’s more!

If you’re struggling with how to make time for leisure or letting go of the guilt of it, schedule some time with me!

Next week, we will look at how to know if you are too busy!

Here’s Why I Want You To Stop Reloading The Dishwasher

habits, mindset shift

Stop reloading the dishwasher after someone else has loaded it. Stop picking up the toys your kids need to pick up. And, stop taking on more tasks around the house or at work because you think no one else is going to do it as well. 

stop it.

You are wearing yourself out. 

Sure, you might be able to fit more dishes in the dishwasher if you loaded it. But, if someone else already loaded it, then the task is done. Cross it off the list and move on. 

In college, I had a roommate who would reclean the bathroom after I did it. Because he didn’t think I did a good enough job. So I stopped cleaning the bathroom. What was the point? I wasn’t wasting my energy doing something that wasn’t respected. 

And I wonder if this happens in our own houses. As women, we take on tasks or redo tasks because no one else is going to do it up to our standards. 

But how is that serving you or those in your household? What is that teaching your kids? 

Of course, your kids aren’t going to put their toys away exactly as you would. But if they’re put away (even if they’re in the wrong boxes), does it matter? Sure, your partner does things differently. He or she is not you. My husband folds towels differently than I do. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong. I occasionally fold them that way now too. 

The point of all of this is a mindset shift. Find a way to let go of the way others do things. Let them be a part of the household and help each other get things done. 

If it’s important to you that something is done a certain way, explain it to the rest of your family. Help them learn it. Then let go. Or, if it’s really important, do it yourself. But you don’t get to complain when no one else helps. 

I’m not saying this is easy. I still struggle with it on occasion. But I’m working on saying to myself, Great, that’s one thing I can cross off my list.  

And I move on to the next task. 

Let me know what your mindset shifts need to be! What are you working on this week?

Here’s more on this topic.

Or, connect me on Instagram and share your thoughts on this topic with me!

Are You Ready For the Holidays? They’re Almost Here!

mindset shift, routines, time management

Are you ready for the holidays?

The pandemic is still complicating things. It might still be a year for social distancing and smaller parties. Or more of staying at home and visiting friends and family on Zoom. 

the holidays are here!

Regardless of how you spend the holidays, here are a few ideas for thriving, not surviving. 

Simplify

Maybe you’re one to go overboard for the holidays. Everyone gets gifts. You mail cards to everyone you know. And your family is wearing matching PJ’s in the photo that’s on the card you send. 

If you love doing this, please keep doing it. If you do it because you feel obligated, take a step breath, and keep reading.

Make a list of everything you do during the holidays. Look at the list. Examine it. 

Do these tasks make you happy? Or are you doing them because you feel you need to? Are there a few that you can skip? 

Pick the few items that make you happy. Cross the rest off.  No one will notice! 

Ask

Ask each family member to pick one activity they enjoy and want to do during the holidays. 

Schedule it. 

Stick with the activities that your family enjoys. Skip the rest! You will all be happier. 

You do not have to say yes to every event that comes your way. If you love attending all the parties and it fills you up, then go! 

But realize that might not be true for everyone in your family. Or you. And that’s ok. 

Say yes to the events that you and your family get the most out of. 

When you’re overbooked, you don’t enjoy the holidays. It feels like one thing after another and before you know it, it’s January and you’re left wondering what happened. 

Being intentional about the events and activities you take on helps you feel present at each of them. Sinking into the fun of the moment. 

Simplify Some More

Are you hosting a meal? What can you do to make it easy? In our family, the person hosting makes the main dish and everyone else brings a side dish. Everyone signs up for something so we don’t end up with 6 side dishes of mashed potatoes. And it takes the pressure off the host to not be in charge of everything. 

Maybe it’s never been done this way in your family. Maybe it’s always been on you to make the holidays happen. That doesn’t mean you can’t request a change. At least start the conversation. It could be as simple as everyone else bringing appetizers or desserts. 

After The Holidays, Evaluate

In January, spend some time thinking about what worked and what didn’t work in December. What did your family enjoy? What do you wish you had skipped? Take notes and put them somewhere you will find next November. 

Try a few of these ideas this year. The key is to only do the things that make you happy. Don’t wear yourself out doing everything! Doing a few things allows you to enjoy those activities and tasks and get the most out of them. 

If you want more ideas on how to simplify your life, schedule a Get On Track call with me and tell me you want to talk about the holidays!

Sourdough Starter. Growth. Finding Your Passion.

mindset shift, motivation, time management

Many articles from the past year would make you believe that you are not doing enough. With so many people being home during the pandemic you suddenly had time to clean out your closets, finish all those personal projects that have been lingering on your to-do list, and learn a new language. And if you didn’t suddenly find yourself motivated to tackle all of these things, well, that’s on you. It’s not that you haven’t had time, you’re just lazy and lack discipline. 

Huh. Really? 

lack discipline text says: your worth is not equal to your productivity. How much you get done each day does not make you sho you are.

Because you weren’t also taking care of kids while juggling full-time work or just trying to get through the day because it seems as though the world is coming down around us. 

I have shared how I feel this pandemic has wiped the slate clean for many of us. How this is a great time to think about what we want our lives to look like as we move forward. And not to rush back to the craziness of life BC (before Covid). 

It’s ok if that hasn’t happened. If you’re aware of it but not ready to process it or figure it out. 

We are going to be processing the trauma of this pandemic for years to come. Disruption is everywhere. And the changes keep coming. 

The pandemic is still here. And as long as people are still refusing to get vaccinated and wear masks, it’s not going anywhere. Until more of the global population has access to vaccines, it’s not going anywhere. 

And we are going to struggle to move forward until that changes.

There are many articles out there related to your productivity and the pandemic. Getting motivated to work during the stress of a pandemic. (here are my thoughts on that) That with no commute, you have so much more time on your hands! You should be working more! 

Because our society will have you believe that the more you get done, the more you produce, and the more you cross off your to-do list, the better! Because our value is all about productivity. 

No. It’s not. 

You are not your productivity.

If at the end of the day, your kids are loved and fed, you are doing enough. 

Surviving a pandemic is enough. 

One of the things we talk about in my virtual community, Stride Together, is that knowing what’s important to you helps you prioritize your tasks. You focus on the things moving you, your family, and your business/job forward. Productivity is not about getting it all done every day.

If you’re struggling with this, let’s talk. I want to help you clarify these things for you. Even if it’s to set you up for success as we move out of the fog of this pandemic.

The Sunday Scaries and the Need to Escape

mindset shift, routines, time management

It’s Sunday night. I’m wondering what the heck happened to my weekend. What exactly did we do? I think I crossed a bunch of tasks off my list. The laundry is washed and dried, not necessarily put away. I’m tired. And I’m starting to dread Monday.

I’m looking at my calendar and tasks for the week. The week looks full. Maybe even overflowing. How am I going to get through this week? I’m tired just thinking about this week. I already wish it was Friday! 

dread Monday. woman looking overwhelmed at the clothes and mess in her living room.

Sound familiar? 

Life doesn’t have to be this way! Because we don’t have to continue to be so busy that we’re exhausted simply thinking about our week. 

We don’t need to dread Monday!

What if you designed a life you don’t need to escape from? 

If you knew your daily priorities and that you were able to complete them? 

Maybe you even have time for activities you love? For that ever-elusive ‘me-time’? (I promise, it is possible!)

I want you to do something for me. Spend some time thinking about what you want your life to look like in the (near) future. If you didn’t have the dreaded Sunday scaries.

Maybe it’s planning something fun that you look forward to for Monday or Tuesday nights. Nothing complicated. It could be a regular phone call with a friend. A virtual dance class or yoga class. 

Try saying no to any new activities that come your way, while you figure out what activities you and your family want to take on next. Not signing up for soccer, dance, and piano lessons for each kid. Pick one activity for each family member (which can, honestly, still be a lot to manage each week). 

I know that might feel like a lot right now. I’m just asking you to think about it. 

I think this pandemic has changed so much for all of us. In big and little ways. We’re physically and emotionally exhausted and drained. Our routines are a mess. Our ability to make decisions is fried. We never know if the decisions we’re making are right. 

Maybe you’ve spent the past year and a half barely surviving each day. It was all you could do to get your work done and take care of your kids. You looked at Facebook and felt like everyone else was taking on a new hobby or finding their passion (whatever that means!). 

And you know what? That’s ok. 

Simply getting through each day is sometimes enough. Sometimes that’s all we can do.

Let’s stop talking about getting back to normal. I don’t want to go back to normal. I’m not even sure what that is. I don’t want to go back to who I was in 2019 or even February 2020. I’m not the same person. 

For me, this pandemic has wiped my slate clean. It’s clarified so much for me. What’s important to me. Who is important to me. What I want my life to look like in the future. 

Honestly, rebuilding from scratch sounds less exhausting than going back to the way things were. Where you ran from one activity to another without really thinking about it. Attending every birthday party, sports activity, and event you were invited to. Using retail therapy as a way to feel better about how crazy things were. And talking about being busy like it was a badge of honor. 

How about creating your life with intention. Building a life that you don’t need to escape from. That doesn’t require weekly massages or bubble baths to relax or feel slightly better about things (next week’s topic). 

What steps can you start on now? They can be the smallest steps necessary! Take that first step and see where it leads you!

Keep reading here and here.

Kids Don’t Want To Clean Their Room.

mindset shift, routines, time management

A few weeks ago, we were all picking up the house so that we could more thoroughly clean it. My 5-year-old daughter refused to participate. She’s 5. She’s stubborn and she’s not going to do anything she doesn’t want to do. 

So I let it go and we all moved on. 

A little while later, I hear her saying she’s cleaning up to help me. Because mom needs it. 

helping is a lifeskill. boy cleaning up toys

Now, I understand that often our kids do stuff around the house to help mom. Mom’s the one who manages the chores and house cleaning (more on why this is a problem at a later date.) 

But I didn’t like the way she said this. I didn’t like that she was only doing it because Mom was mad. 

My kids need to learn how to pick up after themselves. Participating in a team (family) is a life skill. Helping is a life skill. So is cleaning up after yourself. Our kids need to know how to do this stuff on their own. 

We need to all participate in keeping the house functioning. 

Here are some ideas to get everyone involved: 

  • Make it fun. Don’t tell your kid to go clean their room. Their brains will shut down and it won’t happen.
    • Help them play the seek and sort game.  
    • Turn it into a game. We play basketball with my kids’ laundry. You can do the same with any toys that go into a bin. (side note, don’t use bins with lids. 
    • Have kids race against you (never against each other. Siblings are already competitive enough). See if they can put something away faster than you. 
  • Make it easy to put things away. (Lids add one more step). 
  • Have special time with them first. 
  • Do something fun together as a family once you’re done. 

If your kids are older, these same guidelines apply. Get them to participate. Ask them how they want to participate (and skipping out is not an option). 

Keep it small. We clean half the house each weekend so it’s not overwhelming. We pick up most of the mess each day so it doesn’t get overwhelming. 

How cluttered your house gets is up to you and those who live there. What is your level of acceptance of mess? I don’t have the energy for a spotless house every day. I do like a weekly reset. Figure out what works for your family. 

What steps can you take this week to get back on track? If you want help with this, schedule a free coaching call or sign up for my private podcast.

How To Deal When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed By Everything

habits, mindset shift, motivation, routines

As we’re coming out of the pandemic fog and intentionally rebuilding our lives, let’s look at our task lists. There might be piles of things that need to be cleaned out or purged. Maybe you have lists of house projects you wanted to do during this past year but never got around to. You might have activities you want to get yourself and your family back into. Are you overwhelmed by everything?

man looking at stickie notes of question marks on the wall. Overwhelmed by everything

Around here, we had delayed doctor’s appointments (dentist, eye doctor, physicals, etc.). We had closets full of things we’d purged but hadn’t donated. There are projects around the house we’ve been delaying. All of these are decisions weighing on our brains that we’re not taking care of. So they rattle around in our heads because our brains wonder why we’re not immediately taking care of them. 

We’ve been talking about what we want the next few months to look like.

Our kids won’t be vaccinated for a while, so not much is going to change for us. We’d like to spend much of the summer camping. There are a few friends we’d like to see. Otherwise, we’re going to continue staying home, hanging out in our backyard. Making homemade ice cream and playing in the sprinkler.

Last week I asked you to start thinking about the things you want to keep or shift going forward. How’d that go?

Are you diving back into everything or taking it slow? 

One of the things I’ve most appreciated about this past year is how it forced families to slow down. To stop running from one activity to another. Families are no longer spending their weekends attending birthday parties, soccer games, or other sports. And no longer reaching Sunday night exhausted and not ready to start the next week. 

I think society has us conditioned to believe that we must say yes to everything that comes our way. Our kids won’t get into a good college if they’re not playing multiple sports in elementary school. That our kids are going to cause trouble if every moment is not scheduled. 

But what does that do to our family time and our sanity? When we simply become activity directors and drivers for our kids. Scheduling playdates, music lessons, sports, etc. for every minute of the day? When do our kids simply get to be kids and learn how to entertain themselves? Your kids can learn how to entertain themselves. It might take some time, but it can be done. 

As you discuss what you’re going to start doing over the next few months, think about creating family meta-decisions.

This is an overarching guideline used to make decisions. It could be that each family member gets one activity per semester, including parents. Maybe it’s one sport and one other activity. One could be that each parent has one night each week when they are out of the house. Every Friday is a family movie and pizza night. Whatever works for your family. 

Create these guidelines and they’ll make your schedule easier to figure out. These guidelines create guardrails against the craziness of diving right back into everything we think we missed. They will help contain the chaos! 

Read more about meta-decisions here.

If you want to talk more about Incorporating meta-decisions in your life, schedule some time with me.

Coming Out Of The Fog

habits, Interruptions, mindset shift, motivation

We’ve all been in a fog this past year. There has been so much unknown, fear, and uncertainty. As we move forward to the next chapter, it’s like we’re coming out of the fog. Let’s make sure we come out of this fog with some intention and focus.

I’ve heard from many moms how much they’ve enjoyed having family dinners together on a regular basis. Not rushing around from so many activities. Not being so overbooked on the weekends. I’ve enjoyed not rushing around in the mornings getting everyone ready for the day. I like that we all sit down for lunch together.

stone steps through green grass. coming out of the fog

Yes, moms have been overwhelmed with so much this past year. The unknown. Remote learning. Decision fatigue. Working while your kid is sitting next to you at the dining room table. The piles of laundry and dishes that seem to accumulate when you’re not looking (which, let’s be honest, is not just a pandemic thing). The fact that everyone has to eat what feels like all the time. The worrying about the health of loved ones. The laying awake at 2 am worrying about everything. Again, the unknown.

So what’s next?

As life around us starts to open up, what are you doing next? Take some time to answer these questions. Ask your family these questions! Use them as a starting point for what’s next.

  • What is it you want to keep about this past year? (For me, it’s Sunday night card games with my husband).
  • What from your pre-pandemic life do you not miss? (For me, it’s saying yes to things because I feel I should. I’m going to be much more intentional about how I spend my time).
  • What do you want your life to look like going forward?

Let’s not go back to the crazy, overwhelmed, rushing around we did pre-pandemic. Say yes to what is important to us. Let’s build back better than we were in 2019. Let’s get intentional about our lives.

Who’s with me?

Keep reading about this topic:

One Big Interruption

Feeling Uprooted? Start Planting New Seeds

If you want some guidance on getting started on these ideas, schedule time with me.

What If You Have No Motivation To Complete Your To-do List?

mindset shift, motivation, time management

Do you have days where you stare at your to-do list, unsure where to start? There are so many things on the list. You don’t want to do any of them but you know you need to complete at least some of them if you want to keep your job or the roof over your family.

But really, you want to crawl back in bed with chocolate and a book.

I get it. At this point in the pandemic, I need almost daily pep talks to get out of bed. Every day feels the same. I usually like snowy weather, but this year, I’m over it. I’m ready for sun and warm days. (It’s currently April and snowing here in Denver).

Complete to-do list slow progress is better than no progress.

And if you could see the toys spread around the house. I’m worn out from getting the kids to pick up every day. Sometimes, I wonder why I bother asking them to clean up (and some days I don’t). They’re just going to make a mess again tomorrow!

And everyone needs to eat. All the time apparently, by the number of dirty dishes in our kitchen!

So why am I sharing this?

Because I get it. I get the daily struggle of finding the motivation to get those work tasks done. Of finding the energy to have another pillow fight with the kids. Another game of tag. Figuring out what’s for dinner. And when did the kids last have a bath?

This past year has been tough. This pandemic shifted so many things for so many people.

And I think some good will come out of it. I think people have realized what’s important and who is important, in their lives. Families have enjoyed having a slower pace of life. And I hope that continues as we move into this next phase of life.

We’re moving towards another chapter. What do we want that to look like? (Read more on this here.)

And how do we get motivated today? Here are a few simple ideas to get you started. We’ll keep talking about this over the next few weeks.

Move your body. Have a dance party. Create a list of music that energizes you. Exercise. Take a walk. Play tag with the kids. Whatever it is, get your body moving.

Know your tasks. We’ll talk about values a bit more next time. But when you know what truly needs to happen today, you can focus on those tasks. What next steps need to happen today? Everything else can wait.

Know the next step. Break your tasks down to the smallest possible next step. Then take it.

Manage interruptions. If you’re struggling to focus, minimize interruptions. Find more ideas here.

Pick one idea. Try it. And, if you struggle through today, know that tomorrow is another chance.

If you want to talk more about any of this, schedule some time with me!

One Big Interruption

mindset shift

This pandemic has been one big life interruption. Everything we took for granted, all our routines, everything has been interrupted.

interruptions

By now, we’ve likely created some new routines and maybe even feel like we’re doing a bit more than surviving. Or maybe you still feel like you’re simply surviving each day (or barely hanging on). There is no right way to deal with a pandemic.

Maybe this pandemic is a great time for a reset. Even while it’s frustrating. I’ve heard from several moms about how much they enjoy not running from one activity to another. How much they enjoy dinner together as a family every night.

As we move into 2021 and see a light at the end of the tunnel, start thinking about what’s next.

Now is the time to start building routines, identifying what’s important to you, and what you want your life to look like going forward.

  • What is it you truly want to continue doing as we move toward the next chapter of normal in our lives?
  • What needs to shift?
  • What’s really important to you and what does that look like in your life?

Take this time. I promise it will be well spent.

Want to read more? Head here.

Schedule a 30-minute call with me to talk about your relationship with time!