Are you the planner who loves planning (but not so much the follow through), or the mom whose week falls apart if she doesn’t plan but doesn’t actually like doing it?
If you’re in the second camp, this tip will cut way back on the amount of stuff you’re juggling in your calendar and how many things are finding their way onto your to-do list.
(And if you love to plan, keep an ear out – I bet you’re doing this, and you need to stop!)
So. What I’m about to say goes completely against the rah-rah self-improvement crowd.
I know this is unpopular, but you’ve got to stop “should-ing” all over your planning process.
- I should lunch prep for myself.
- I should try three new recipes this week.
- I should try that broccoli-kale-spinach salad.
Should, should, should.
Listen – planning is a way for you to remind yourself of what you WANT to get done, not your New Year’s resolution list.
Get that through your head (and off your to-do list), and start taking a load off.
Listen, this still happens to me – I can’t tell you how many times in this year alone I’ve copy pasted some new, wonderful, “spend time with my kids” habit onto my morning to-do list, only to delete in frustration two weeks later.
Why? Because I realized I was ignoring my reminders. Every day.
You’ve got to stop should-ing all over your planning process.
But you know the real why under that? I was putting a “should” on my list. In a random time slot. Not something I wanted to do, or even had space to do, in my mornings.
(Note to self: Next time, try that between lunch and naptime time slot. You might be less busy then.)
But if you’ve got tons of “should” on your calendar and to-do list, it can be quite a detoxing process finding them all (and releasing them).
So that’s why we spend two modules on your schedule when I’m coaching you through #Momlife Made Easy – because I know you need time to reset. Make space for new ideas. Have room for breakthrough.
And that’s never a rush job.
So take it from me – I’m a planner by nature (even an over-planner, according to my husband), and I’m still doing it with five kids.
- What would your weekly planning be like if you DIDN’T have to make all those keto recipes?
- Didn’t need to lunch prep for every single person in your family?
- Didn’t pressure yourself to eat the kale this week?
Just put your “must do’s” on your list and let the rest slide.
It’s okay.
You’ll know when you’re ready for that kale.
When it’s not just an “ought to do” on some food blog you follow, like a mid-New Year’s resolution.
All right. Here’s your homework for today: Go find five things to delete from your planner and calendar. (Five each, or five total – you pick.)
See how much freer your schedule looks now. How much lighter your to-do list is.
Which “shoulds” are you getting rid of today?
