Time for some time management 101
As a new mom, time management becomes an absolute must to master. I can’t say I’ve come anywhere close but I’m learning some tricks to get me there.
Multitasking – a “must master” or myth!
Research has shown that multitasking is actually creating more inefficiency and even more stress. As women, we’ve prided ourselves throughout the ages in our innate ability to multitask – thinking that we’re getting much more done in less time. Not so! Taking the time to do one task (rather than 5) with total mindfulness will get it done quickly and save you time (and possibly mistakes) as you move on to the next. Sounds easy, right?
Bulking Task – Keeping that in mind though – doing simple (aka mindless) tasks together does save time. For example, one thing I’ve learned is that whenever I leave a room I take one thing with me to put away. If I jump up to go to the bathroom I look around and take a few empty glasses to the kitchen on my way. After I’ve done my business, I wipe down the bathroom counter or quickly restock the cotton balls. Am I really doing two things at once or am I just utilizing my time better. You be the judge. (I venture that it’s the latter). I’m finding that this efficiency is becoming more of a habit and I think less about it – which is an added bonus.
List – I’m all about lists (see previous blog post). So creating a streamlined list (by priorities) is a great way to make use of your day/time. Bulking tasks or errands together also saves time.
White boards – I love white boards for keeping track of things. Dates of events, grocery lists, things for hubs to do, etc. I have a small one on my fridge (which I’m sure we’ll have to upgrade as I upgrade my family (more kids in my future I hope) and once baby is older and more active.
Outsource – One thing I’ve learned from all my years in the corporate world as well as starting businesses of my own – outsource tasks that take up too much time or that you’re not good at. This of course, all depends on your financial situation but when possible get some of those icky tasks off your plate. You will find that the benefits totally out way the costs! Have a housecleaner come in once a month to do a super scrub of the house. Hire an accountant. Find a stay-at-home mom to help out as a virtual assistant (say, if you have your own business). Look around – there maybe even a few chores you can ‘outsource’ to a teenager in your neighborhood (organize your home office, clean your garage, haul clothes to goodwill). Be creative.
At the end of the day, as a mom, you’re going to have to let a few things slide in order to maintain your sanity and get some rest. The house maybe a bit messier than you’d like, the bills may not be paid right when you receive them, the thank you cards might be delayed… And thats all ok. Look around and realize that honestly the most important priority as of right now is you and your wee one (oh yeah, and your partner too!).
Schedules, Deadlines, To Dos
I had all sorts of good intentions to write a Thanksgiving post about gratitude and giving thanks. I have so much to be grateful for this year that I’ve been busting from the seams in my thankfulness.
Anyway, I had it on my list of “to dos” for a week or so, even scheduled a block of time on my calendar, but quite frankly I just got distracted and didn’t get it done. I’m finding that as a new mom my ‘to dos’ just don’t get done as quickly or, in some instances, at all.
I’ve found it frustrating as I’ve always been great at keeping to my lists and getting things done. Currently I have a bunch of things I’m working on both professionally and personally (let alone taking care of my little babe) and making sure I don’t let any balls drop has been tough… really tough. I have even noticed that some days i don’t even LOOK at my to do list.. WHAT? That’s craziness!
I’m realizing – slowly – that most of my items on my list do not need immediate attention and the only one disasppointed in my ‘performance’ is myself.
Honestly – take a good look at your list and determine what is absolutely mandatory to get done, what are what I call “nice to get dones” and what can just let slide ( or at least be put off).
It’s all about a new way to manage your time and determine what is essential.
- Must do’s (A)
- Nice to get done’s (B)
- Let slide (C)
Well – I can check this off my list…
Now what’s next.
Scary thoughts on this scary day – Halloween
A friend of mine was invited to a Halloween party where the theme was “dress as your worst nightmare”. Such a cleaver concept. It got me thinking.. what is my worst nightmare and how would I create a costume around it.
I have to say it doesn’t take much for me to jump to my worst nightmare or worst case scenario these days. Ever since I gave birth, I’ve been leaping to the ‘what if’s’ of catastrophic thinking several times daily. It’s taking me months to pull myself out of the grasps of my own dark thoughts.
Most people don’t realize that postpartum anxiety is very common although less talked about compared to its more popular cousin postpartum depression. Some anxiety is all part of the job description as a new mom but when your thoughts and perceptions begin to impact your life or paint a grim cloud over your behaviors and actions, then it’s time to do something about it. I was lucky enough to seek help and had a tight network of girlfriends and other new moms I could confide in. I also dove head first into everything I could read on the subject. There are resources out there, people who specialize in this, books and autobiographies on the topic, and groups you can join. You’re not alone.
I feel like the more new moms and women talk about the anxious side of postpartum life, the less likely that we will feel alone, isolated and a bit crazy.
So on this ghoulish day of the year.. I hope you find that a bit of peace in knowing that you don’t have to face your worst nightmares alone.
Happy Halloween
Jenn
Green Smoothie Addiction
Why Green Smoothies are my latest addiction and how they’re helping me drop the baby weight FAST.
I’ve made green juices on and off for years. While living in NYC it was super easy to pop by a local joint to have fresh juice made to order. When I got married, we received a lovely souped-up juicer as a gift. When we moved back to the Bay Area I was surprised at how hard it was to find places that blended up fresh green juice. Shocked in fact! This is the land of fresh produce and hippie dippi-ness – where the hell are the green juices?
Well, I brought back out the juicer and in my tiny kitchen started juicing again but with a new baby I just didn’t have the time to cut up all the veggies, juice them and then proceed to clean up (yes the clean up is the worst part even when you have a juicer with minimal clean up). So randomly one day I came across some green smoothie recipes. All I needed was a blender and I could quickly toss in stuff, press blend (or the handy dandy ‘smoothie’ option) and voila! So quick, simply delicious and the clean up was a breeze. Who knew that when you pureed spinach and swiss chard it becomes a smooth and rich base! Also, I was happy to get all the fiber I was throwing away when I juiced. And this mama needs her fiber, let me tell you!
I have been experimenting with a ton of different recipes and discovering new and fun combos.
I usually make double in the morning and save 1/2 in a mason jar to sip on for snack or for a quick lunch. And Baby loves them too! Here is one of my faves.
Blue, Green and Oh So Good
2 cups of spinach
1 cup of blueberries (frozen or fresh)
1 banana peeled
1 tablespoon of almond butter
1 cup of filtered water
3-4 ice cubes
Blend until smooth
Enjoy,
Jenn
Hello world!
Here we go!
Where to begin? When looking at a blank sheet of paper in the attempt to write an article or a book, write a letter or thank you note, or anything for that matter – it can be overwhelming.
Where to begin? So many thoughts are swirling around yet at the same time my mind is blank. So I’ll just jump right in.
I’m excited to begin this adventure. I think this concept has been percolating for years (yes I’m huge coffee addict so the word percolate has even more significant meaning to me than for most – and as I write this I’m in a coffee shop surrounded by the perfume-y aromas of espresso – I dreamily digress).
Anyway, even before I became a mom I sensed that one day I would be working in and around the mommy sphere. Just wasn’t sure ‘how’ or ‘what’. I knew the ‘why’ though. Motherhood is a HUGE transition. Everything changes. Even when people tell you that everything changes, the gravity doesn’t really hit you until it happens. It is interesting to see just how you change too. You think you have an idea, “Yes, I will be back to work in 6 weeks”.. HA! But when that little peanut shows up – your priorities shift, change and calibrate. It’s amazing how fast they change too.
Well I’m excited you’re here and I hope you take the time to peak around. There will be more and more awesome information each week included exciting and informative interviews with other moms, fitness and nutrition experts, wellness practitioners, business gurus (for those of us running our own business) and more.
So join the tribe, share the site with other mommies and help build this community.
Let the Tribin’ begin!
Jenn
