Prioritize & Organize

Since starting to work from home, I’ve been reading some self-development books, (don’t confuse these with self-help books…LOL!). I knew even before I got started, that to live a less stressful life (whether you work from home or not), the key is to get as organized as possible. I still have a loooong way to go, but I’m getting started!

Have you ever heard of getting your life and priorities organized? This is what I’ve been thinking and praying about this past week…how can I get my priorities organized in a way where my decision making will be that much easier? It makes sense, doesn’t it, if you have your personal and family priorities straight, there are many decisions that will be very easy to make because they either fit or don’t fit into your life.

My very first step was to set my top 3 priorities, and this is what they look like:

1)      FAITH – In everything that I choose to do in life, my faith and values cannot be compromised.

2)      FAMILY – My family cannot suffer or be compromised in my life’s decisions, I have been put on this earth to be a wife and mom, and I take this job very seriously.

3)      SERVICE – I have recently been convicted that I need to have a servant’s heart. I need to love and serve others more, without expecting anything in return (this doesn’t mean I have to say yes to everything that comes my way).

Now, the next step of organizing my life is to make sure I don’t take on too much so that I can do a good job at everything I take on. Also, to make sure that my top 3 priorities (faith, family and being a servant) don’t suffer. I broke down my life into jobs and responsibilities. I heard from someone that you shouldn’t take on more ‘jobs’ than 6 or 7, if you do, some things, or some people start to suffer (usually your family and yourself included, because you’re overwhelmed and stressed out). These are my 6 jobs or responsibilities at this stage in my life. They will change often, so I will make sure I evaluate them frequently and make any changes necessary (for example, as of Aug this year, I will no longer be an employee!).

1)      Wife

2)      Mother

3)      Caretaker of the home

4)      Employee

5)      Entrepreneur

6)      Church nursery leader

I challenge you to do the same, make sure you know exactly what your priorities are (figure them out with your spouse to make sure you guys are on the same page). Then narrow down what your jobs are, you may have too much on your plate, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, really think about letting go of a few things. Vice-versa, if you’re getting bored on a daily basis, add something…why not volunteer somewhere? Maybe you have some family, neighbours, school, etc that could use a helping hand?

Overwhelmed!!

You ever have those days…weeks, even months where you’re feeling overwhelmed? I don’t!

Ok, totally kidding, obviously I do, just like everyone else does.

Lately I feel like there’s just so much going on that I feel like I’m missing something or forgetting something every day. Yesterday I forgot to do the laundry…no joke! I brought it down, put it in the laundry room so it would be ready to go when I was and then totally forgot about it!

I’ll give you a little list of what’s been on my plate lately, not because I want you to feel sorry for me (I don’t feel sorry for myself!), but just so you know what I’m talking about.

Obviously being a wife and mom and working part time out of the house is pretty stressful. Just for kicks & giggles, let’s add in the fact that my toddler is just about 2…need I say more? I’m also 23 weeks pregnant…feeling good, but just more tired and emotional, which can add a whole new spin on things if I’m not careful to control my emotions!

Our vacation to Ont is coming up in just over a week, so not only does that take packing, but it’s making sure everything is taken care of at home while we’re gone, that Brielle will be amused on the plane ride enough to sit on our laps the whole time (quietly!). Then making sure we have transportation, car seat, play pen, etc organized for when we get there. Kids just complicate things 100%, don’t they?!

Oh, don’t forget that I also work part time from home, so that business really only does as well as the work I put into it. In the beginning it’s a lot of work, but I can see the payoff, so I’m willing, and excited to put the work in now!! A huge part of building any business is building relationships, and that doesn’t come very easily to me as I’m naturally a quiet, private person. I’m working on that, and really enjoying it!!

Wait, I also started taking part in a weekly ladies Bible Study…yes, it’s only one afternoon a week, but we have homework and studying to do for it, which I usually leave for the evening before (because who doesn’t love to procrastinate?!).

Oh, and I’m blogging about it all…so yeah. That’s my life right now, but I’m loving it and wouldn’t change it!!