I often get the comment “You’re so organized!”. I think maybe it’s because I wrote an eBook on setting up a home management system. Or because I make printables to help organize life. I like to come up with structures and systems that work.
Can I tell you a secret though? I have yet to come up with a system that I can totally stick with.
Call it the changing seasons of life, or call it an utter lack of self discipline—whatever it is (it’s probably both), I seriously struggle with follow-through where my daily schedule is concerned.
Oh, it’s easy to set up a system, to fill in all of the boxes and create a plan. But actually doing what I’ve planned? That’s my issue. If there’s somewhere to be, or if I have errands to run, I’m generally okay, but leave me at home all day with the kids and I forget about basic things like brushing my teeth and getting the kids dressed.
This does not work well.
I’m a mom and wife, I run an essential oils business with my husband, I run this blog (and that blog), I try to keep my house somewhat clean, and I like to spend time with friends. As much as I’d like to think I can keep everything straight in my brain, the truth is that I just can’t. Not without some kind of schedule.
(And mommy brain. Can we just talk about mommy brain for a second? How is it that I cannot remember ANYTHING anymore? How is it possible that so many things buzz through my mind one second, and the next second it’s a complete blank? I don’t even know.)
So, I sucked up my pride, and set out to find a schedule that would work for me. I’ve tried basically every system, so I wasn’t super convinced that there was anything out there that I hadn’t thought of.
And then, I found it. Browsing my favorite organizational site one day, I discovered the answer to all of my problems. (Okay, just one of my problems.)
A chore chart. For kids.
Yes, a chore chart. This is what I needed! I know it might sound ridiculous to you people who remember to brush your teeth every day, but I needed to get back to the basics. So I sat down, customized MY OWN chore chart, (which really looks more like a daily routine) and ordered it.
I did have to request a few custom changes to be made, so it looked more like a daily routine instead of a grown woman’s chore chart. But hey, you do what you gotta do.
(You might be asking why I didn’t just make it myself, and that’s a good question. I totally could have done that. But, you see, I’m completely at the mercy of everything Erin Condren. I simply cannot say no. LOOK AT THE CUTENESS.)
I keep this daily routine checklist on the corner of the island in my kitchen. Every morning, I come out to the kitchen, see the list, and start checking things off. If I lose my way throughout the day, I’ve got a standard routine to keep me on track in just one glance. I also try to get three important things done each day, and I write those things down on a notepad right next to my checklist. (They match, of course.)
I’m kind of in love with this system. It actually works because I can do it! I am such a baby at self-discipline that I needed the same kind of chore chart that my three-year-old has. Embarrassing? Totally. But on the off chance that one of you are in the same boat, I’m sharing it with you. 
God calls us to be good stewards of our time. Colossians 3:23-24 tells us “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Our daily routines may not seem like something God cares about, but He does, because He cares about us! In Him, we can be creative to find a solution that works for us, and we can find the strength to follow through.
Takeaway ideas to restore hope for the daily grind:
- Prioritize. Take some time this week to sort out what things are important enough to you to incorporate into your daily routines. If you can, take a day away to pray and plan! Erin’s book, Your Retreat, is an incredible guide for a planning day. I also love-love-love Leigh Ann’s planning guide, Live for Him.
- Plan your routine and find a system that works well for you. Like I said, I’m minorly obsessed with all things Erin Condren. You can also find my own home management system here.
- Work on growing in self-discipline. A great resource to start with is Crystal Paine’s 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life. I’m going through it right now, along with her book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, and both are so encouraging and empowering!
- Pray for direction and strength. Our God knows how much our minutes matter, and He holds everything we need to be successful.
You can find me linking up with Mama Moments, Modest Mom, Tuesday Talk, Homemaking Link Up, Wifey Wednesdays, Works For Me Wednesdays, Frugal Fridays and Family Fun Fridays each week!
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