I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but my husband is very meticulous and thoroughly thorough with all he does. Nothing is done half-way with him. No matter what he is doing, he does it well. I mean, when the guy puts mayonnaise on a sandwich, it is spread with such love and care, one would think that Jesus himself was coming over for a picnic.
I, on the other hand, am completely non-meticulous and absolutely un-thorough. I figure I can get more done with my time if I hurry through jobs. Therefore, I slap sandwiches together, figuring that the mayo will surely smear itself around once it meets the cheese. I don’t measure ingredients when I cook. I don’t always close drawers or cabinets after I grab something out of them. I hate reading instruction manuals, and don’t ever ask me to paint your walls.
And this, my friends, is my secret method for getting a lot accomplished each day. Yes, my advice for you all is to simply do a half-hearted job of everything you do, and no matter what, do not be thorough, especially when making sandwiches. ;)
I’m kidding of course, except for the part about the mayo. Here are my five (real) ideas for ways I have found to accomplish much each day:
1. Get Plenty of Sleep
Cutting out sleep in an effort to give myself more awake hours in the day is actually counter-productive for me. If I focus on getting the sleep I need, I feel much more energetic and can fly through the day getting all kinds of work done.
2. Get Off the Computer/Couch/TV/Phone
There are fantasic benefits to all of the above. But if your time spent on each of them is not productive for your family, your work needs, and most importantly, for God’s Kingdom, get off. The end.
3. Make a List…and Then Do It
Not everyone likes making lists. I get that. But I find that if my to-do list is just swirling around in my head, I simply feel overwhelmed, and instead of plugging away at all I need to do, I feel bound by all I need to do and will, in turn, accomplish nothing. Write it down. Put your to-do list in perspective. Then start knocking it out, one thing at a time.
4. Stay Home
Funny thing about not being home – I can’t get anything done at home when I’m not here. As much as I love being with people, going to ball games, participating in home school activities, etc., I find that I can get so much more accomplished if I prioritize our outside needs and work to be home as much as possible.
5. Pray
We are on this earth to love God and serve his people. Pray for God to show you how to use your time in a productive way that glorifies him. When we are focused on living our life God’s way, much can be accomplished!
And for the record, my husband’s ability to be meticulous is very much appreciated. The paint going up on our living room walls is looking fantastic. Why? Because Matt is doing it, not me. Need I remind you of the slapping that goes on when I make sandwiches? That method is not recommended for wall painting.
Be sure to read all of these great 5 Simple Ways posts:
- Springs Bargains-5 Simple Ways To Save More By Wasting Less
- A Familiar Path- 5 Simple Ways To Make The Most Of Your Pictures
- Smockity Frocks- 5 Simply Ways To Occupy Preschoolers
- My Blessed Life- 5 Simple Ways To Update Your Home Decor
- The Happy Housewife- 5 Simple Ways To Save Money In 2012
- Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures- 5 Simple Ways To Save Money In The Kitchen
- I’m an Organizing Junkie- 5 Simple Ways To Organize Without Spending Big Bucks
- Balancing Beauty and Bedlam- 5 Simple Ways To Freshen Up Your Wardrobe for 2012
- Southern Saver- 5 Simple Ways To Not Get Overwhelmed in Couponing
I think all 5 of your suggestions are right on. The last year I have given up many wasteful things that took up so much time in my life. We have only so much time in a day. It’s a wonderful feeling at the end of it knowing that you were productive and not wasteful with your time. Thanks for all you do!
All your suggestions are definitely right on. I must admit to having major problems with numbers 2 & 3. Like you, I get very overwhelmed with the to-do list flying around my head but rather than write it down, I allow myself to get distracted by other things. I obviously like to make things difficult for myself. I should spend more time on number 5.
I love these suggestions as they are how I’m currently working to get my life on track! The hardest part for me is the sleep. Both of my boys have been so hard to break from the all night nursing party :) and it makes it hard to get the sleep I need. Staying home though is such a blessing when it finally clicks! If you’re struggling don’t give up! The Lord will reward your efforts to make your home a haven!
Lol! Sounds VERY much like our home (except I DO enjoy painting – with homeschool and home and ministry, sometimes that’s as close as I can get to doing something “crafty”)
“Stay home” is one that I learned on my own when we got rid of our second vehicle. It’s incredible how the less time you spend in your house, the more disorderly it gets!
Thanks Laura!
You said it all perfectly! My husband and I had a good laugh…you and your husband sound so much like us. I plan to share a link from my blog to yours…wonderful post!!
Hmmm…my hubby and I are just like that! He is very detail oriented and things have to be just so. I’m the opposite. Complete opposite. I figure that’s why God brought us together. We compliment each other, complete each other.
I follow those 5 ways as much as possible because they are all my weaknesses!
The hardest part on that list for me is GET OFF THE COMPUTER. I was without internet for most of the week and I got a lot accomplished. I’m gonna have to make myself stick to certain times to be on here (and use a timer when I am on the computer.
Well…reckon I’m having a bit of an issue with all 5 of these. Time to git er dun. Thanks for the reminder. Love reading your stuff – always encouraging. Now to get off the computer and get to work! LOL No. Seriously. It’s time to get to work, like in 10 minutes!!
Great list, getting off the computer is really a time saver.
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only fly-by-th-seat-of-my-pants gal married to a slow-and-steady-(and meticulous)-wins-the-race husband! Makes for an interesting combo. He teaches me how to work and I teach him how to play.
Great Points! Thanks for sharing!! Blessings on your ministry!
Thank you for making me feel less guilty about “never” going out, I am more than happy to stay home and putter, and my MIL is always trash talking us for never going out like she does. Well, my house is tidy- and her’s is a dump… speaks volumes! :)
Number 2 is my killer. I can spend hours on the computer accomplishing absolutely nothing! It has been one of my “resolutions” to significantly limit my computer time to meaningful tasks, such as finding ways to feed my family real food. I have learned so much from your website, and now have my mother following as well.
Most people don’t even think about “staying home.” But gosh, that’s how I get the most done. I like being a homebody…not a homeboy, but a homebody. ;-)
Gasp! Then I won’t be able to read your awesome blog!!! JK, all these “tips” are perfectly correct!! Although, I love being online (this is the one I struggle with the most, and therefore make or break all the other things) my children love it more (and I do too)when we are actively engaged with eachother. I do really appreciate your blog (and especially all your timely admonitions) –God bless you and your family. :)
I find myself wasting so much time and wondering why I an’t accomplish all the things I set out to do. Thank you for this encouragement! :)
I am not good at reading manuals also. lol. But I become meticulous when it comes to making sandwich. Thank you for the very useful tips, I will apply it on my activities.
I was just thinking about how I hadn’t gotten hardly anything done around the house this week. That’s because we spent a lot of time running errands. And at the park. I think the park time was well spent. But, some of the errands could have been skipped or done over the weekend when my husband was home.
How timely this post is. It has been my heart’s desire to accomplish more.
My vehicle suffered catastrophic engine failure last night. My husband is reeling. This is another financial blow in a long list we’re endured lately. I woke this morning completely at peace. I don’t want to fix the car right now. I have been struggling to regain order in our schooling, in our home, in our finances, etc,… Having my attention concentrated at home, I’ll have motivation and time. I firmly believe He answered my prayers even in the unlikeliest of ways. Now to convince my husband that this is an answer to my prayers.
“…his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
I love staying home! With 6 kids, driving to their various activities could eat up all of my time. This year, I decided to host one of those activities here at my home. Once a month about 15 elementary-age kids (and their moms) come to my house for Presentation Day. I don’t have to drive anywhere, we all clean the house before everyone comes, the kids get to see their friends, and I get to fellowship with the ladies. All of this without using any gas. I am so happy I decided to do this!
You inspired me to make my own list! When I was brand new to staying at home with my first tiny little bundle of joy, I used to feel like nothing at all got done, but my husband would look around and look at our baby and make a list of all the things he saw done including our happy baby girl and smile and shake his head at me. So for me taking stock at the end of the day is on the list, it is amazing how much more gets done the next day when I am not down on myself.
Just came across your blog today. It’s great. I think I would have to put Prayer first instead of last because I’m so unorganized I need the best help first.