While I try to give off the persona that I have my ducks in a row on a daily basis, that’s just not always the case. That just isn’t Realtor life…or mom life…or real life in general! My days are hectic, often unpredictable, and just plain nonstop. But I know I’m not special or different in this respect. We’re all crazy busy with work, kid sports, school events, errands, etc. etc. etc. I always used to say I was going to get organized, eat healthier, start exercising, be more productive “when things calm down” or “when I’m not so busy”…until it hit me. I am NEVER going to be less busy, and things are not calming down any time soon! I’m not sure I even want them to most days…so I realized that if health and productivity were things I valued and wanted to work toward, I was going to need to figure out how to make them priorities and fit them into the crazy. While I am ALWAYS going to be a work in progress, I wanted to share a few things that have made a world of difference for me.
Wake up early for ME time
Once my kids wake up and my phone starts ringing, my time is not my own, and I find that when I wake up to little fingers tapping me gently, I spend my day being reactive instead of proactive. I started a morning ritual for myself of waking up at 5AM and spending 30 to 40 minutes in silence, cup of coffee (usually Philtered Soul from Philz in San Francisco) in hand, planning for my day. I intentionally do not pick up my phone or laptop during this time, in order to keep myself from getting lost down a social media rabbit hole or immediately launched into reaction mode because of an email or message. I protect this time to spend with my pencil and paper planner from Target, planning my day out hour by hour. I keep a running to do list at the bottom, pencil in non negotiable time blocks, and then fill in my open blocks with things I want to get done that day. I am notorious for being late and underestimating the amount of time tasks will take…I’ve always loved Chalene Johnson’s take on this and like to refer to myself as a “Time Optimist.” Taking the time to plan has made me more realistic about what I can accomplish and also more productive, because I know when I need to pick up the pace because I’m running behind schedule.
Have trouble getting up early? I highly recommend reading The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins. Life changing for me. Did you know there is actual science behind why you shouldn’t hit snooze?? I rarely do anymore, and I owe it to this book.
Move your body
I work out just about every morning. It is part of my morning routine now, right after my coffee time is done. I get it done in 30-60 minutes, before my kids are awake. If I wait until later in the day, it won’t happen. This is a non negotiable for me now. It is where I get my energy and strength to handle the crazy. I work out from home…haven’t been to a gym in over 10 years. This is mostly to make it doable, because it eliminates excuses like commutes, bad weather, and time. Shoot me an email if you want to hear more about this part of my day.
Want to feel strong enough to handle anything? Weights. I promise, while you are building your physical strength, your mind gets stronger too!
Plan your meals
This is so key to our family eating healthy home cooked meals rather than eating out a million times a week. I have Pinterest boards and running lists of family favorite meals, and I have created meal plans ranging from pretty spreadsheets saved on Google Drive with links to recipes and grocery lists to just a jotted dinner plan at the bottom of my planner for each day. It doesn’t need to be fancy! I tend to rotate a few recipes on repeat every week, due to my ridiculously picky 7 year old…I guess that makes it even easier?? I find that the key to making this quick and simple is to be repetitive! I eat the same 2 or 3 things for breakfast and lunch almost every day, so I really don’t need much planning for those. Some may call that boring, but it saves my sanity and keeps me healthy! When I meal plan, I write down any evening activities or events that affect dinner time (school or work events, dinners out, etc.) and then fill in meals accordingly. I make my grocery list while I meal plan. I plan to use my Crock Pot or Instant Pot or serve leftovers on nights when I know I’ll be short on time. I am WAY more likely to cook and choose healthier meals when I have a plan taped to the fridge!
Meal Prep
I know you’re already picturing my refrigerators meticulously filled with perfectly portioned and stacked containers color coded by day of the week. Not so…I told already told you…chaos. I could aspire to be more like that, but honestly, I find I’ve gotten into a groove that’s a whole lot simpler than that. Here’s what I do, generally on Sunday, to set myself up for the week.
- Make egg cups for grab and go breakfasts (Literally eggs and whatever veggies you have on hand mixed together and poured into muffin tins sprayed with cooking spray…350 degrees for 15 minutes…done)
- Make sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot (10 minutes!)
- Make a large batch of a grain, bean, or veggie salad to portion out for lunches throughout the week
- Make a batch of brown rice in the rice cooker or on the stovetop for easy sides throughout the week
- Prepare simple make-ahead dinners (Last week I made 2 turkey meatloafs…I cooked one that week and froze the other)
- Make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot or Crock Pot (Great for chicken tacos or rice bowls…easy and fast assembly on a busy night!)
I do not always do all of these things every Sunday! Sometimes I vary things and sometimes I just don’t have the time to do it all! But doing some of these simple prep ideas just makes the week run so much more smoothly, and my whole family is healthier for it!
Listen to Podcasts and Audiobooks in the Car
I know how valuable reading for personal development can be, but let’s face it…busy Realtor, wife, and mom of 2 boys?? I am not left alone very often to read an actual book. Enter audiobooks. That book I mentioned, The Five Second Rule, is just one of many audiobooks I never would have read if not for being able to listen in the car. I am ALWAYS in the car, and I feel as though I got so much productive time back when I discovered this. I now use my car time to listen to anything motivational, inspirational, or educational to better myself in all aspects of my life…health, productivity, parenting, business…I actually look forward to being in the car so that I can get back to my book! This has been a game changer for me…listening to audiobooks has helped me set higher goals, plan for how to reach them, and even show myself grace when I fall short. I honestly feel like it makes me a better person when I use my drive time this way. I highly recommend it.
I am always looking for ways to grow, learn, get better, think bigger, and aim higher. I am always a work in progress. In a world where we are constantly comparing ourselves to others and wondering how they are seemingly doing it all effortlessly, I am the first to admit that I am not. From one constantly crazy busy on the go working parent to another, I love to share anything I have found that is making my life easier…or at least feel that way. I would love to know your tips and tricks as well!
