Simplify For More Time

Sometimes in all the hustle and bustle of family life, we forget to make time for what is really important.

Here are a few ideas on how to simplify and get back some time for your family.

• Have the family help with the chores.  If you have all hands on deck the work will get done much faster.  We recently started having the whole family clean up after dinner.  It has been great because my kids are the sweepers, table washers, leftover packers, and dishwasher loaders.  My husband and I help with everything. I love this because what used to take one person 30 minutes now gets done in less than 10 minutes.  It also teaches the kids much-needed life skills.
• Take care of any incoming papers right when they come into the house.  I am thinking of mail and kids’ papers.  I really like the one-touch rule for incoming papers.   For instance, when one of my kids brings home a permission slip for a field trip, I will fill it out and put it back in their backpack for them to take back to school the next day.  This item never goes on my to-do list.  Also, the best place to open mail is next to the recycle bin…hint, hint.

What kinds of things are stealing your time?  Can anything be simplified or even eliminated?

• Set time limits for time-wasting activities.  I am always amazed at how long I am on the computer.  I may sit down to do a quick check of email and I end up being there for 30 minutes.  And, don’t even get me started on how much time I could spend on Facebook.  What helps me is to set time limits.  Maybe you can check your e-mail just twice a day, or go on Facebook just once a day.  Figure out what works best for you.
• Turn the TV and Computer off.  This is an awesome way to free up time.  Or another idea is to multitask while you’re watching TV.  Folding clothes and exercising are two easy things to do while the TV is on.
• Learn to say no.  It is good to volunteer your time but choose to help out with just one thing at a time.  Many people, especially women, like to help and they have a hard time saying no.  Helping others is commendable but do not lose sight of your priorities.  You still need to take care of yourself ( spirit, mind, and body) and you also have a family that needs you to be available for them.

Let me know what kinds of things you’ve done to simplify your schedule.

Keep it simple.

These words describe Amy’s organizational philosophy.  Helping others make their home simple is why she enjoys being a professional organizer. Her background is in engineering and she previously worked making manufacturing processes simpler and more efficient, also known as lean manufacturing. The “lean” thinking just naturally carried over into her home and now she is bringing it to the homes of her clients.

She is a member of the Heartland Organizers, Faithful Organizers, National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), and President of the NAPO-Virtual Chapter.

Amy is a contributing author of Outrageously Organized! 10 Professional Organizers Share their Trade Secrets.  She is also a monthly contributor to Momaha Magazine and her organizing tips have been featured in Rachel Ray Online Magazine, Omaha World-Herald, Figure Magazine, Everyday Moms, and WOWT.  Have fun getting organized!

www.freshlyorganized.com

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