Working from home? – Plan your day

Many of us working mums start our day with the best of intentions. We know what we need to do and are determined to set in place important ways to achieve our short and long-term goals. Often those good intentions can be cast aside as other matters absorb our time and attention. We may end up stressed, frustrated and irritated.

Let’s look at how to plan your day the right way

Make a list

These are useful to refer to as a prompt, a valuable point of reference. We can use a list to prioritize. It gives us an overview of what we intend to do each day and helps us see why or where we have had to deviate from our original plan if necessary. It can be easy to get swept along with the moment and forget important matters. A list can be a useful way of putting us back on track. Try making each day’s list the evening before, go through and prioritize each item. It can help relieve pressure and keep on top of the day’s stresses.

Set goals and schedule important steps towards them

Every important goal involves a series of steps: from making contacts, submitting paperwork, ordering product to improving our fitness levels. All of these stages are art of the overall picture. Goal setting and planning need to include each step along the way. This helps to establish a positive mindset and enables the best chance of success.

Plan for breaks

Time out of the workplace for food, water, exercise allows an opportunity for a breather. Even taking a walk around the car park can provide an important interlude. Studies have proven that taking a break enables people to return to their work station with renewed energy and interest. It is a fallacy to believe that sitting and working non-stop is the most productive way to achieve your goals.

Keep on top of trivia

Paperwork may seem trivial and an unnecessary chore but it is vital to have a reference as to what you have https://www.eta-i.org/xanax.html done, where you are up to. I have had clients, successful businessmen, who have relied solely on their memory to keep appointments, retain important details. They are seriously stressed as a consequence. There is no need to overload ourselves in that way. Commit some things to paper, use technology, a diary and support yourself in whatever ways you can.

Have fun

Goals are important but so is fun. Free time, fun and laughter are a valuable way of de-stressing and provide balance in life. Plan some fun time each day. Ensure that the time you spend with loved ones is special and enjoyable. Mealtimes, going for a walk, talking, playing board games are opportunities for fun times together, sharing and demonstrating commitment.

Rely on relationships

Delegate to others. Let them help and feel part of your master plan. Make time for family and friends. These people are important. Children grow up quickly. Childhood days cannot be revisited. Partners and friends may start to live their lives and make arrangements that don’t include you if you seem too busy with other matters and don’t demonstrate that you are interested and care about spending time together. Plan to include those important relationships in your life.

Each day provides a fresh start, a new canvas on which to make your mark. A little planning can go a long way towards making each day special and the best it can be. Plan to include a good balance between work and play, exciting and mundane and you will achieve an important balance and a more sustaining quality of life.

Author: Susan Leigh is a Counsellor and Hypnotherapist who works with stressed individuals to promote confidence and self belief, with couples in crisis to improve communications and understanding and with business clients to support the health and motivation levels of individuals and teams. She loves to offer further support and advice.