How many discarded planners are laying around your house right now?
And do you know what that number really means? It’s a list of all the time management ways that DIDN’T work for you.
So why don’t you ditch the guilt, toss those empty planners, and dive into what the time management industry ISN’T telling you?
‘Cause there’s something they don’t want you to know.
Happily ever after? Not so fast!
And that is, it doesn’t matter which kind of planner you have. (Heresy!) Or what chore system you’re using. Or even if you’re a morning person or not!
Here’s what I don’t like about the productivity industry: They’re always telling you that IF you get productive (i.e., fast) enough about your chores, THEN your life will magically straighten out and you’ll live happily ever after.
Um, reality check here? I’ve got kids, so my life is never going to be perfect. There will always be snarls in my day (but not every day). And some days I just don’t have the energy to do things fast.
Am I a time management failure because of all that? Heck no!
What matters is getting things done in the time allotted, serving MY priorities for the day, and making sure I get the sleep I need. (Not whether I broke a 5am wakeup streak.)
The myth of the perfect planner
You know something else the time management industry fools us about?
The productivity gurus graciously explain that what you need is the perfect notepad, planner, or organizing tool; then your days will be perfect and your life will flow just right.
Ha, ha. See note above regarding #momlife with kids.
Going simpler is what fixes everything.
Does it REALLY matter which planning system or to-do app I’m using? They’d sure like you to believe that.
But isn’t consistency what really matters? (No, I’m not knocking the fact that some planners just mesh with your brain better than others.)
Getting some tricked-out home organizational binder isn’t going to confer magic powers of always being on time, perpetually clean bathrooms, and fresh bread every week. (I wish!)
Do more vs. do slow
In their minds, the only worthwhile thing is the latest “do more” hack, nifty planning app, or special “how to cook in 15 minutes” gadget – NOT a slower pace of life.
In reality, going simpler is the way to go; it’s what fixes everything.
- Got too much on your plate? Don’t scold yourself into speed cleaning the entire house, top to bottom; just delete a few things from your to-do list!
- Worried you won’t make it on time? Leave the house pickup for later (and jot a quick reminder to declutter the kids’ toys again).
- Afraid you can’t make supper tonight with your current energy levels? Grab something – anything – from the freezer (it won’t hurt them to eat random grabs for once) and put a few more freezer burritos on your shopping list.
You get the picture.
Quit forcing yourself into the “be more productive” mold and just start deleting things from your day.
Delete the guilt. Delete the Pinterest-perfect meals. Delete the always-clean-bathrooms expectations.
And let yourself slow down.
Isn’t that feeling so much better than another 5am wakeup call or speed cleaning session?
Remember, you’ve got what it takes. Lean into your intuition, let things go, and don’t listen to those productivity experts.
They’re wrong anyways.
