If you have made it to Day 21 of the 30-Day Challenge, I am proud of you! You are probably pretty committed to creating a simplified life. When you simplify your schedule, you simplify your life.
If your schedule is packed, you may not be living your best life.
I know this was true for me. Years ago, I was tired, overwhelmed and resentful. I had so much on my plate that I didn’t have time to enjoy all the blessings around me. I had so much on my to-do list that I never got all if it done. That was defeating. The crazy part: I did it to myself!
I was over-scheduling myself. An old limiting belief: I should have plenty of time and energy to do everything because I don’t work outside of the home.
If you can relate, it’s time to simplify your schedule.
Simplify your schedule with a TaDa list!
I created something I call my TaDa list. It may have saved my sanity. I used this process to create my simplified schedule:
Step 1: Delete
Make a master list with all your responsibilities.
This might be a very long list, but that’s OK. You want to have a clear visual-representation of everything you are putting on your plate. What do you expect yourself to do on a daily, weekly, monthly basis? What do other people expect you to do?
This is the fun (scary) part – Start deleting! Draw a BIG fat line through anything that isn’t truly important; the busywork. Your to-do list will never go away if you keep focusing on nonproductive busywork.
Step 2: Delegate
Now, this part isn’t always easy, but try let go of some control. Let other people do things for you. More importantly, let other people do things for themselves. Have family members do their own laundry, cook for themselves and struggle without being rescued. It’s actually one of the best things you can do for your family; let them know you trust them to handle things on their own.
- Let your family members be responsible for their own messes
- Ask a friend to babysit or help with school pick-up / drop-off
- Hire someone to mow your yard and/or clean your home
Step 3: Evaluate
Evaluate what tasks remains on your list. Hopefully, after deleting and delegating you are now able to simplify your schedule. The things that remain will be:
- Things only you can take care of – doctor appointments and going to work for example.
- Things you choose to do. Maybe you choose to be the person in charge of grocery shopping, walking the dog or paying the bills.
The evaluation step is where you start plugging items back onto your calendar and ask yourself:
- Did I simplify my schedule enough?
- Are there still more things that need to be deleted and/or delegated?
Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 as often as needed. Then, move onto the good stuff!
Step 4: Sprinkle in the good stuff
If there is new white space on your calendar – you did good! Don’t feel obligated to fill your days with busywork. Remember, sometimes doing nothing is doing something.
However, when you simplify your schedule you open up space for activities that can make you a better, happier and healthier version of yourself.
- Date nights
- Quiet time by yourself / Meditating
- Journalling
- Hiking / Walking / Biking
- Reading
- Family time
- Massage / Facial
- Anything that makes you happy
Today’s assignment:
- Create your TaDa List!
We are constantly evolving and growing. As you move through life, remember to revaluate your schedule to fit your current stage of life. Take the time to simplify your schedule.