“Failure to plan is a plan to fail.” is a popular saying that is used by many time management experts.  Planning is just as applicable to home time management as it is to business time management.  Just as we put our shoes in the closet so we can easily find them again we should put away certain everyday tasks into time slots.  Having these tasks neatly put away to be done at a specific time gives the home manager tremendous freedom.  Many household tasks seem never done.  There is always laundry to be folded, dishes to be washed and bills to be paid.  But if you plan well and follow your plan you will experience a surprising freedom to do projects you’ve always wanted to do and spend time pursuing personal interests.

A time planner (a chart with each of the week divided in fifteen minute segments) is a useful tool to chart out your daily and weekly tasks.  Consider charting such tasks as:  Laundry, Pay Bills, travel time, work, grocery shopping, phone calls, dinner, dishes, free time, exercise, paperwork, personal prep, chores and morning routine, bedtime routine and bedtime. 

Refer to this planner often and try to keep your tasks within the hours you’ve set.  DON’T be tempted to feel confined by your plan.  Remember – You are the one that set up the plan and you have the freedom to change it! 

The plan is a tool.  Refer to it when you are tempted to do the laundry as you walk by the hamper.  Experience the freedom as you confidently say “No” to the bill staring at you from the desk.  You don’t have to do it right now.  You know that you have scheduled to pay the bills tomorrow and none are going to be late.

No longer will your days feel fractured jumping from task to task.  You will have a plan.  Time will emerge for the things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time to do.  What a great feeling!

Sandra Forbes is a professional organizing coach specializing in family management.  She and her husband and 7 children live in Vienna, Virginia.  You can learn more about her at ForbesOrganizing.com

Feel free to comment below:

Please be charitable in your comments

Leave your comment