Take Back Your To Do List!

       Don’t let the holiday frenzy take over you life!  The holidays should not cause a frenzy any way, they are supposed to be enjoyed!  Think of your To Do List as things you Get To Do, ways you get to bless your family and your holidays, and not as things you Have To Do. 

Six Time Tips to Get Things Done:

  • Break big tasks into little tiny pieces.  The thought of cleaning my house may seem overwhelming, but spending 15 minutes on each bedroom today makes things much more manageable.  Or get up 15 minutes earlier each morning, and take large tasks, like addressing Christmas Cards, and break the tasks into 15 minute pieces. 
  • Stick with your routines.  Now more than ever, it is imperative that you take care of the every-day stuff in a quick and competent manner.  It is also imperative to maintain your health, so remember those vitamins, exercise, adequate rest, etc.
  • Maintain Perspective.  When we look at everything together, it can seem overwhelming.  A party was starting in less than an hour, and I literally almost cried over a glass of spilled milk.  A deep breath or two, a lot of paper towels and a teachable moment saved me. 
  • Schedule an afternoon for shopping or preparing alone.   Take an morning or afternoon off of work to get things done, or swap sitting services with a friend – watch her little ones for a morning while she hits the mall, do lunch together, and then it’s your turn for the afternoon out!
  • Be realistic and delegate if possible.  Have your husband put the lights on the bushes, let your kids run errands, let someone bring a dish to pass to your party. 
  • Outsource if possible.  The point is not that you should get rid of family and cooking traditions, the point is that we can pay others to do things for us sometimes.  Cookies can be bought, a few side dishes can be catered, someone can be paid to help you clean for a house full of guests, there are even services to hang your lights.  Let others help!

You can get things done if you keep the big picture in mind while making little steps of progress as time permits.  Enjoy!