In less than 10 minutes you explained how to eat the frog! And thank goodness you mentioned the that a to do list is never finished. I think that relieved the minds of so many of us! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Dawn! This is a great system, and I think in another season of my life it could work well. For me, I have to break down my life into three-hour shifts, so I use Jordan Page’s “block system.” It’s based on the idea of high school classes: when you’re in science; you only focus on science, then you put that book away and go to English and focus on that, etc. There’s a time of day for each type of task. The “morning block” is when I get ready, feed everyone, clean the kitchen, and do my morning chores. It’s when the kids get ready, eat, and do their morning chores too. Then at 10 AM, we switch to the outing block in which we do all our stuff out of the house: appointments, play dates, errands, lessons, etc. It also includes lunch. Then we switch to home block when we do quiet things at home. The kids read, play, and craft; I pay bills, do the mending, fold the laundry I started in the morning, take a quick nap (my favorite thing!) etc. I am able to put off making that annoying phone call that turns into being on hold for a half hour to the beginning of my “home block” so I can focus on being with my kids all morning. Yes, there’s a low buzz of anxiety in the back of my mind the same way an afternoon test would make me feel anxious, but if I were to do that time-consuming task in the morning, it would ruin my day. Today I’m taking the kids to the zoo, and when I get back, I have to do some medical paperwork; it’s annoying, but if I use my most energized time of the day (late morning) on this task that could easily be done while I’m resting at home after the zoo, I’d be misusing my energy. Make sense? My energy is more important to me than my time right now. The “dinner block” is exactly what it sounds like, and at the beginning of it is when I let the kids have screen time while I fix dinner-to reward them for a good day’s work and to keep them from snacking while I’m fixing dinner. We’re hangry, so it keeps down the griping too, haha. If we have extra time at the end of this block, I take them for another short outing (a walk, swimming, to visit someone, etc.) or we connect at home. Then it’s the “bedtime block”-designated time for me to take my kids through their bedtime routines, connecting with them some more, and nurturing them before they drift off to sleep. Once they’re down, I do some tidying and wrap up loose ends (usually laundry) and do a little self care. I prioritize sleep because I’m up every three hours in the night right now. This system has been the best for me. I’ve been able to get a summer bucket list from my kids, and I scheduled these highly requested events twice a week during our outing blocks because I already know what our day will look like one or two months from now. It’s the best! I hope this helps someone!
I do the same as well. I had to add a plugged (time on cellphone) / unplugged and it was eye opening to see the amount of time I would spend on the phone. (Thinking I'm just going to be 2mins).
I'm a Mom of a large family. I came up with a cleaning schedule for Monday through Friday. Each day there is one room in the house that I call the "Room Of The Day" or ROTD. My goal for that day is to either deep clean an area of the room (vacuum and reorganize a drawer, clean the ceiling fan, etc.) or spend time decluttering. I do as much as I can as time allows for that day. Then the next day I work on a different room between meal prep, laundry, etc. Some days I can only spend 15 min. or so on the ROTD, but for me, it's still an accomplishment. My one downfall to my plan: sticking to it! With all the little ones I have (and a special needs daughter) it's very easy for me to get off track. I love the time management tip you have in the video. I go through the same thing and this is a great way to overcome that procrastination that's so easy to do. Thank you for the video!
Helpful to see how you do this! Thank you. I have a cleaning schedule, too, that I used to do, but haven't for a long time. It's to just give everything a light cleaning, 10 min each day. I used to set a timer, but it broke. I need to get another one! Doing this light, brief cleaning helps keep the rooms picked up. M: Spritz & Wipe Kitchen T: Spritz & Wipe Bath W: Spritz & Mop Kitchen & Bath Th: Dust Living Room F: Dust Bedroom S: Vacuum Living Room and Bedroom Sun: Sweep Patio, Clear Out Car. When I do this, the rooms get a little cleaner each time, and it keeps everything from deteriorating too much. (As it has, now!)
As a true procrastinator for some reason the “done is better than dread” really hit home for me. The low level anxiety is real. Thanks for the great tips. Doing 1 thing seems so much easier! Thank you!
I ended up hiring someone to clean my house every week. This saved my life. I hate sweeping, mopping, and dusting. She does these things letting me have more free time to do other things. When I first started watching your videos, I thought I could never live with less. I'm just starting to have less in my house and keeping the stuff I really want.
About 20 yrs ago, my naturopathic physician picked up on my tendencies to be a work-a-holic even tho serious injury was keeping me down long term. She once told me that we are a human "beings" not human "doings". It was the first time I had heard that statement. I think of it quite often. She also said that "to do lists" are helpful and said much of what you did just now, but added something SO HELPFUL! She started me on making a DID IT LIST daily (!!!) Yes! That way, so many of the tasks that I did without thinking about it or that came up unexpectedly would be written down and I would feel SOOOO satisfied at the end of the day. Thank you for your great video!!!!
I flipped around the concept of a to-do list. Great idea! Here's something that helps me: At the end of the day I compile a got-it-done list. I write down everything I accomplished from my to-do list plus all the other things I did that weren't on my list. It really helps me keep a good perspective because sometimes I start things but they don't end the way I want them to or I can't finish them, so at the end of the day I feel like I didn't accomplish anything. The got-it-done list reminds me that I did work really hard even though the outcome wasn't what I wanted.
Love this idea! Most days I feel like ,“What have I even done all day? Did I accomplish anything?” It helps too to go back on past days to cross out things I got done but forget to cross off. Then I realize how much I have been getting done.
Sorry one more thing… You have a gift. You’re a very special person. Your energy comes through in a way that is undeniable. There are a lot of people doing what you are doing but you put your own stamp on it in a way that is unpretentious, real, organic. And I believe that’s why you make such a difference.I would love to hear more about how your spirituality plays a role in your life. It just adds another layer of power to what you are doing, in my opinion. Regardless, thank you again for everything that you do. And please tell your husband that I thank him too! You are quite a pair! And you are both doing waaaaaay better than you think you are!💜
Sometimes I just have to wait for things to rise to the top in priority. But that app has been life changing for me getting stuff out of my head .. easily!
I’ve Loved Donna Otto’s old book from the 1980’s: “Get more done in less time” My favorite anti-procrastination quote: “Do the worst first, and the first fast!” I love your “one top thing” concept!
Dawn, I just deleted 15,000 emails because of you. I didn’t know how to do until I heard you say start with the unread ones. Presto! 14,000 gone. I’m not tech savvy but feel a big relief to get rid of those. No guilt! Thank you🤗
Thank you so much for this. As a mom of a toddler I struggle to do those important things and keep bumping them to the next day. Today I took your advice, got Grandpa to babysit for 1 hr and got the two things done I needed too. I feel much better and can enjoy the rest of my day. 😄
I went and bought a water bottle with a straw a few days ago and have been drinking tons of water ever since. I can't believe how much the straw helps and you really don't feel like your drinking that much! Thanks for all of the helpful tips!!!
I have two time management habits that I have began using this year. 1. I use a timer⏳ ( not on my phone) to motivate myself to begin when I am just not feeling it, be encouraged to finish, and to avoid over-working myself minute- wise. 2. I use one day a week (Wed ) as AP day ( anti-procrastination day ) I take that one task on my running list that I am dreading the most, like you said! This usually prompts me to do a 2nd or even 3rd task following that one, bc of knowing that the hardest one (or the one I had anticipated being the hardest ) has been done😁 Your idea presented here was encouraging and am so HAPPY for you and how it has worked wonders for you!
The low-level anxiety you explained was spot on! The weeks I am on the ball with those nagging to-dos, I feel completely at ease. This week, I had something hanging over my head that I waited until today (Friday) to complete, and it just made me feel way more stressed than was necessary. This video is a game-changer, thank you!!
You are giving me hope! I’ve got 4 kids, ages 2 to 7. I am home with them full-time, and it is so utterly overwhelming. This mindset shift of a revolving to-do list with priorities that get updated every day - it’s a game-changer! Thank you!
OMG i totally do this all the time!!! By putting off the thing that you think would be a lot of work and doing a million other things, at the end of the day your still stressed and that thing isn't done. This is probably one of the best tips and eye openers I have read. Thank you. And BTW your hair looks so cute, I love the fun summer waves.
I found this tip helpful: when tidying/decluttering or whatever you'd like to call it, is to tidy for 15 minutes and rest for 30 and so on. I found this worked well for me as I was becoming overwhelmed with home related chores and work related (I run a small pub and do all the paperwork etc at home). Putting things into the 15 minute blocks much easier to handle.
@@KatarinaS. Hi, not sure. I got it from one of the quilting channels. We live in the UK and moved from a 3 bed house with lots if storage, to a two bed bungalow with hardly any storage. I am now starting to let go of things that I have kept way too long. I really like how you organised your clothes in the closet; it's a great idea to a set number if bottoms and tops relevant to what you actually need them for. Thanks again for all the info and ideas you have shared.
Thanks for this video! You make an important point! And good for you for putting “Call Grandma” on your to-do list! I’m a grandma, and I love receiving calls from my grandchildren! I hope I will always be on their list! 😀👍
Yeah same, I had so many days without getting everything done that I really started feeling like totally lost 🤣 Now that I heard even the minimal mom doesn't get to always have everything done, I am instead proud about the days when I actually did get everything on my to-do list done and am not ashamed about myself anymore... so thanks from the depth of my heart, Dawn! ❤
I have those dreaded tasks as well. What I do is break down the task into the tiniest steps. I'll use make coffee as an example... 1.pull maker to front of cabinet. 2.Plug in. 3.Rinse pot. 4.add water 5.place scoop&coffee on counter... You get the idea. Then I tell myself: Only do one thing... Getting to check off that one thing is so rewarding. Getting the second thing done, now I'm on a roll. One another project, each task may take 15 minutes instead of one second but I can suffer through a small bite and get on with something that's distracting me. OR once I do that tiny task, I think well I've got time for the next thing and before I know it... The project is done! ❤🌅🌵
I do that :) but I use highlighters to color code their importance (Red - do first, yellow - do next, green - it can wait) I try to do at least the top 3 things a day.
Stacy Higginson I brain dump and then categorize (if I didn’t already) highlighting the categories by color or re-writing in the categories. Color coding also helps in my planner, but only 5-6 colors. Beyond that I lid need a key and that would defeat the purpose. I use each person’s favorite color and then highlight work events in our work color. So, when I glance at something written in green ink I know it’s an FYI for my husband’s schedule, but I see purple I know it’s an appointment for my oldest.
I sometimes use a Swiss cheese effect. I do a part of something that feels daunting, I had to bake cookies and kept putting it off. So one day I pulled out and measured dry ingredients, set out what I needed like vanilla, chocolate chips, dates, etc. The next day, it was easy to put everything together and bake them. They were really good.
I do this too for recipes that take a lot of time or are multiples..... i.e. my totally from scratch Chicken Pot Pies. Yea! Now baking cookies will be easier too!!!! Thank you!
I do this for my Sewing Project, whereby : 1. I have a basket inside I put my sewing tools n all the clothes that need some small stitching n repairs. 2. Then I do step by step, baby steps, maybe 1weekend 1cloth to repair. 3. And to create momentum, I standby the needle with thread so easy for next stitching.
Yay Real Estate Moms!!! I have been a Realtor for 4 years and I am 1 year into my minimalist journey. This past year has been the most successful and I owe it all to time blocking and simplifying my life and home.
Thank you! Feeling like my to do list never ends and it's been getting me down. So good to be reassured that I'm not the only one (who feels they are failing with getting anything done). Your video is so helpful and has given me a key for a better system that won't make me feel like I am just chasing tick boxes on a list each and every day of my whole life.
I've been doing this since I developed chronic illness 4 years ago, and it helps so much. It helps spread out your energy, and your weekends don't get flooded with things to do. Like you said, you'll rarely have an empty list, but that's ok! Wholeheartedly recommend this for any chronic illness or chronic pain patient.
I've been bullet journaling for a little over a year now...and it's been a great way to help me manage my time (plus...I get a little "artsy" decorating it, so I'm soothing my crafting genes at the same time).
@@justinerags7062 TH-cam is a wonderland of bullet journaling...with varied degrees of "artsy"-ness. The original bullet journal is very minimal...all ink and paper. Mine is sort of a combination of practical and creative. So...I would recommend the videos that got me going: Sarah Churchill (her videos from a couple of years ago) and Natalie Bowers (who does multiple types of crafting so you'll need to search her videos). You can also search for Bullet Journaling for Beginners. Good luck!
Hey Dawn, I am always writing lists that become overwhelming (cluttered) this sounds like a "highly simplified" bullet journal list. Focusing on completing one thing at a time and keep your list do-able (minimal). You are so smart. I love it! Can't wait for the next video. TFS!
Wow, you’re so mentally healthy! I love it! I love that you can publicly and unapologetically verbalize what you’re good at in such a genuinely humble way. (Probably because this is an area I struggle with even though I know my talents and strengths I could be more outwardly confident.)
Dawn, You're speaking to ME, like to my soul. I do everything for everyone, ALL the time (wife, mom, teacher, student, volunteer) and feel like a total failure ALL THE TIME. I like the idea of looking at the To Do List as a "revolving list." I've developed anxiety, and time management, when I do it effectively, does wonders for me. I don't have a lot of time for FB...I also have insomnia, so I do get it in, but your channel is doing very good things for my mind and my life. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. God bless you : )
This is imperative for focusing at work when you’re always in your inbox! I decide the 1 thing (or 2, or 3) the day before, and when I come into work, I do not open my inbox until I do that thing(s). What a game changer!
I really enjoyed and got motivation from your blogs. I have a tip for you. Before you remove your latex gloves just dry them like your hands with a towel then take them off and store. When any winter gloves are dirty I put them on and wash them just like my hands and rinse. Let dry
My husband and I are just now trying to start a family and we never put much thought into what type of family we really wanted to be. I have fell into your videos and love seeing what you and your family implement into your minimalist lifestyle. I struggle with time management and you have the best ways to overcome those obstacles!!!
I am so happy to have found you & your family!! I love that @ the core of everything is GOD! Thank you for sharing your lives with us! I love that you & hubby are not fake!! God bless y’all!!
Always looking to refresh my methodology for handling my to-dos. I've been a long-time subscriber to Stephen Covey's Quadrants and this is on point about prioritizing the most important or high impact item(s). The psyche space you gain from tackling that one hanging-over-your-head item is the key to keeping balanced and feeling accomplished and successful in all the roles you play in your life. High points to you on mentioning that a To-Do list is a revolving, circular thing, with items added daily no soon you cross some out. Excellent video!
This is great advice! One thing that’s helped me allot is to have hanging folders A to Z. If I only have one or two papers for a letter then I file them by that letter. When I get enough pepper of one type, I make a separate folder the is filed behind the alphabet letter. Being able to file individual papers quickly by letter has helped me keep organized over the years.
Thank you for changing my life! I had no idea how inventory reduction could give me such peace! My husband keeps saying his mom could just walk right in for a visit and the house looks great! Hearing you say it's ok the whole list doesn't get done is such a relief! I looked at what I was dreading today and did that first! What joy! Thank you!!!
When you described your pre- state, I feel like you were describing me! Life as a working mom can be so overwhelming 😁 You are a model of what I want to do in 2020. Minimalism + organization ... There was this video about bullet journaling. I think it's overkill, but there was a section about creating a key to mark the to-do items. Dot = task X over dot = completed Line thru = cancelled Dash - means notes Asterisk = important
Your videos are so inspiring! I am chipping away at my almost 30 years of marriage stuff and I'm excited to see how our"last" home is going to shape up! Please keep them coming!
Laura Back you are not alone we are doing the same 30 year purge!! We have moved from a large home to a tiny home and trying to have a home that looks as clean and peaceful as Dawns!!
It may seem to some that there is nothing new here, but I have read through the comments to find a few additional tips and other perspectives. I even found that several who are struggling with their own health or the health of a family member are looking for ways to make life easier. Several members of our church family have experienced the death of one in their own family recently. Last week one such family best known to our oldest son, lost the father and 2 daughters. Mother and 16yo son survived, but face a long road to recovery. The semi driver also survived. They all need prayer. Sometimes people need to look for ways to return to their "normal" life. Thank you for providing that help, Dawn. God bless you and your family.
I have 30 file folders labeled 1-30. When something comes up that I know can wait for another day (like updating a Christmas card address list) I put it in one of the folders. I also have file folders labeled Monday-Sunday. Each day I grab the two folders for the day. So if it’s Thursday, July 1, I grab the Thursday folder and the folder labeled 1. Sometimes the folders are empty. When mail comes in I file it accordingly. If my husband asks me to do something or call someone I write a post it note and I put it in the appropriate file. I know that every Thursday I make my menu and grocery list. So on Thursday the menu list and the groceries list I designed are already in the Thursday file. I do not concern myself with the other folders. So while things might get done a little slower, they are also done peacefully. Bills don’t sneak up, appointments are made well head of needing them, so I have plenty of time if an emergency comes up. Inside each folder I also have written on the inside cover of every file my typical chores for that day. As an example I changed all the bedsheets on Mondays, and every month on the 20th I deep clean my dining room. I also keep a paper calendar that I take everywhere. It has not only a calendar but a place to write down notes, expenses, lists. school or doctor information, etc. Everything in my calendar is eventually transferred to one of the folders. It sounds complicated in the very beginning but every morning I simply take out two folders and that is my to do list.
Reading this at first was REALLY intimidating, but the more I read, the more it made sense and sounds very calming once you've hit your rhythm. This is definitely the sort of system that you tailor and tweak to fit it to your life but it seems pretty magical once it's set and rolling. Congrats on coming up with such a cool system!
I can’t explain how happy I am that I’ve found your channel! Everything you talk about just makes so much sense to me. I already can’t wait to wake up tomorrow morning, make my to do list like I usually do but actually get done the one thing that I know I need to do most instead of every other thing that doesn’t really need to get done right away lol I can already feel the constant anxiety I feel lift away! thanks so much for all your advice :)
I have tried SO many planners and finally a few months ago I realized that having a weekly spread totally stresses me out!!! I felt like I was writing so many repetitive things and trying to add things just to fill white space. I am in an on the go folio from erin condren now and it’s basically a travelers notebook. I have a monthly and a daily now. Cut the weekly and I have been loving it! I have a journal just for brain dumps too which helps my mama brain so much! I love your outlook. it brings so much peace and permission to just be happy with what was done rather then what wasn’t.
Hi Dawn! From California! I am always writing in my bullet journal I just need a brain dump every morning with 3 kids Work Husband and just life lol! I feel like that’s helped me out so tremendously but Also just getting ready the night before. I know it’s late everyone is sleeping and I have all my machines running. It’s the only way I can leave on time and not be so frantic in the morning. My night time routine has changed my life not as much as decluttering but helped tremendously. I’ve been going thru my Home since December 2017 I don’t know how I’ve had so much not 100% there yet but I’m a lot closer than I was then.(60-70%) Doing this Minimal thing Solo all my Siblings And Parents loves having tons of Stuff but this works for me!! Always looking forward for your videos! Your an inspiration for me❤️
I found your channel this week and you have inspired me so much. I was plateau_ing in my minimalism practice and I feel like you've opened a whole new world of possibilities for me. I have a small kitchen and was able to pair down my dishes and actually make space for everything inside my cabinets! My clear tops of cabinets and counters are so inviting, I actually want to be in kitchen! Ty so much for the peace u have brought to my life already
I love this this topic!!! Can't wait to see more. 🤰Dawn, my baby girl was born this week. We go home tommorow. 💗 She's a sweet sweet happy girl. 🤱 Thanks for the prayers. 👨👩👧👦 We feel full of GOD Grace.
This video is something that I needed to hear...we have been in the journey of simplifying our house and are about 50% there which feels great. And even though we still have a ways to go, adding this simple trick to help change my mindset will help reduce the mental pressure we feel when things aren't in order. I'm not striving for perfection, just a simpler way of living and your videos always remind me that it's totally possible even for full time working moms with young children. Thanks for always providing great words of wisdom!! ❤
So I’ve noticed that it’s hard to get up super early to workout, but I’ve experienced how it weighs on me mentally throughout the day if I don’t get it done first thing. Then I’m trying to figure out when it will fit in the day and I’m actually more tired later in the day and then if I skip it I feel guilty, so it takes away from my mental capacity versus do it and be proud it’s done all day. I would love to see how you organize your to do list! I love how you break down things in a way that feels realistic and manageable. Love your channel!
I love your comment about giving up the goal of "finishing the list" and thinking of it as an ongoing fact of life, I keep a bullet journal and every month I used to be a bit disappointed that I never got to check everything off!
Very good. I attended a time management course many years ago which taught us to prioritize our list into three categories A, B & C. Category A must be done. Category B needs to get done and category C would like to get done. What we learned from doing this was that many of the things in category A got moved to category B or C. So it helped us learn how to focus on the important things and let go of unnecessary things.
I have felt like I have been drowning not knowing where to start. I always feel like I'm behind. I hope to get it together. I would love to see how you organize your to-do items!
Today's to-do list was simplifying atleast the kids play room but as soon as I got done with that, I found myself working on the bathroom, then livingroom, and some kitchen. I am currently 25% done with my house already and it's only day one of the big purge! I have watched ALOT of your videos in the last 2-3 days and I'm ready feeling so much better about this!
I love how you share things that make our lives easier! I have a top three list that never gets finished 😆 Isn’t it funny that when we do those things we keep putting off they are never such a big deal! Sometimes I have to bargain with myself to just work on something for 5 minutes. When I get started, it makes me want to finish it. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love the writing on your hand! It reminds me of my life as a teacher frantically writing important things on my hand so I don't forget, haha. I love you; you're so real and fun to watch 😀
Let me tell you my Dad's secret for not letting the day get away, because I like doing it, too. Our family was always up by 8:00 am even on weekends or, as he put it, the day was shot. Maybe that's why I'm a morning person, but as a Mom it can be an absolute must even if I'm sick. I'm especially thankful that he instilled such a habit in us. He was 93 when he died last year.
I have anxiety and depression and have low motivation some days. I also procrastinate a lot and have a hard time with bigger tasks/goals and even trying to figure out smaller steps. I do sometimes add items I’ve already completed but that weren’t on my list. It can help me feel like I’ve been more productive too.
Yes, I have a great tip. Kinda long to explain but simple to do. I think it was a Stephen Covey idea. You write down your top 3-4 LIFE priorities. Give them a letter of the alphabet in order. For example: A. Self-care (1.Spirit/pray/filling your cup so you have something to give etc. 2. Mind/Emotional recentering/clearing with cognitive therapy etc. 3. Body/Workout, eat right etc. 4. Environment=quick clutter pickup, wipe counters etc.) B. Husband/Children/Mom let them know they are TOTALLY loved! (To dos for the day for them) C. Part-time job/income/investments D. Deep Cleaning Ok, once you have your life priorities... You can write your normal daily to do list then go back over it with your priorities in mind and write A, B, C, D or Misc. Next to each item. Do the list IN THE ORDER of your priorities. The hardest part is writing your life priorities, but you only have to do that ONE TIME EVER. That way, you aren't chasing the "EMERGENCY" of each day... You are doing first things first. That keeps many emergencies from ever happening in the first place. This works like a charm. And if you combine it with this tip you learned of doing the most important item in each category first... you will be unstopable. 😃💜
To have the ableness, not ability becuz I am certainly endowed with the ability but I am kept from implementing it, the ableness to do these selfcare things, oh I would LOVE it! Single moms dont have the time or mental space. Its very sad. We get no filling up from others, our loved ones-like in a relationship. We have to get it solely from God. We get no rest either. Constant mental running talk about things to do, to take care of, to research. Its exhausting and we still have to caregive kids ALONE.
Thank you for sharing - I have two children at home and I homeschool. My oldest is six and my youngest is 1! I work from home, and I go to college. I spend a lot of time feeling anxious because I feel like I can never accomplish the things that I need to complete in day. Thank you for sharing your journey!
Dawn, thank you so much for your tips! Within your videos, there is ALWAYS something motivational and actionable. I love the confidence you project in this one. It’s exciting to see that all the work you’ve done to reduce your belongings/simplify and become minimalist has had such a wonderful effect on all aspects of your life and it definitely makes that lifestyle even more appealing. Thank you for continuing to share your journey.
It's so nice to have a fellow Realtor on a channel. Our days are anything but typical. I have some staging materials, open house signs, client docs, open house supplies etc, where do you keep all your real estate items and how are they organized? Do you have an office outside of your home that you can store those things?
I love this! I’ve started brain dumping, which has helped a lot with headspace but I think you’ve hit on my next necessary step. I’ve had two big things bouncing around my head and I keep putting them off. Great video! This is my new goal for Sept!
This is Saturday and I made my list. I checked off 3 of 6 tasks. The three were all related but I had broken them down into 3 categories and got them all done. It took me a little over an hour and I dreaded doing it but now it's done. They were the "hardest" things on my list. Great video Dawn!
My husband passed away six weeks ago and I feel like I have an insurmountable “to-do” list right now This video was so timely for me right now because I struggling to reinvent my routine and prioritize in a whole new way. This really helped me. Thank you
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie. Please ensure you make time for self-care and be gentle with your expectations. Stop and breathe when life and the must-do’s feel overwhelming. Taking action from a place of stillness is always more productive and efficient than charging on through. With love Rebecca
This is a great tip! And the "revolving to-do list" is so true! So a rule I have made For myself is i must choose at least 1 of the 1st 5 "to-do's". That way, whenever I remake a to-do list each week I take the items that I have not gotten finished, add them to the top of my new to-do list, and then add things under/to it, I'm not allowed to just keep picking the easiest things off the list, I must check off at least one of the big items from the previous week each day. Another thing I also try to do, is Do the task right then & three if it's going to take less than 2 minutes, instead of adding it to the list
I kinda have that same list but it is a monthly, but Now I think I am ready to make it a weekly list, and some day soon make it a daily. With my chronic pain/health condition I need to be patience with myself and manage my day to day things. I have weekly things that get done which if they don't get put on that list or prioritize on the next week. If something get push many times it just doesn't need to be done if it not that important let just get rid of that stress causing things.
Sarah partridge - Thank god someone else felt the same way. As lovely as this lady seems to be, that's 9 minutes I won't be getting back. Could have been summarised in the first 10 seconds then elaborated on from there.
@@dingdong211270 I felt the same way. This was not a new concept, we all know to do that dreaded but very important thing first, the problem is actually doing it when putting it off is what we (I ) typically do.
Thank you so much. I have been appreciating your heart to heart talks. I laugh when I find myself nodding and agreeing (out loud) with your comments that validate my own similar struggles-as if we were in the same room and talking as long-time friends! I am inspired by your desire to share what you've learned and your ability to do so with warmth, humor and such clarity. I feel grateful to have found you, and am encouraged that there will be light at the end of the overwhelm!
I love the notion that your to-do list is revolving! I use it that way, but the shame of not completing something sits with you. Also, I love that you highlighted the low-level anxiety of not tackling high impact tasks. Super helpful!
I love this idea! One thing you said was when gardening (or whatever) saying to yourself that you shouldn't be doing it but you should be doing X. This can be a great way to hone in on that one thing on the list. By looking at the list and asking for each of the tasks, "What one thing will I be thinking or feeling I should be doing if I am doing this?". By asking this going through each of the list items, I think it will make finding out what that one thing is if it isn't so obvious before. Hope that makes sense.
Oh Dawn, thank you so much for this video! You included such helpful ideas. I'm not a busy mom since my kids are grown and out of the home but I have been working on trying to downsize, simplify, and finish some home improvements around our home and have gotten down to some of the areas that are more challenging. It is so easy to procrastinate and just waste time on my laptop instead of working to complete these things that have been hanging over my head and adding stress by simply remaining undone. Thank you again for your encouragement! :-)
I learned time blocking almost 25 years ago and have used the time management technique ever since. In planning my day I automatically think in blocks of time and prioritize tasks within each block as a matter of habit.
The less we have , the more we can get done, dusting is easier when there is less clutter everywhere, and we can finish cleaning faster to get to other things. I absolutely agree.
Thank you for the video! I have been putting off a DIY project and your video made me realize how much mental energy it was costing me. I watched the video and then jumped in on Monday! It was just the inspiration I needed!
I cannot wait till next week my family’s life farm and our own business is really chaotic and so many times I feel overwhelmed and anxious. Thanks for your great videos somehow they are so relivent to my week. Great work and thanks from Australia 🇦🇺
I just got 4 major things done that have been hanging over my head. It feels so good to stop worrying about them. My tip is to just get it done. If it's something important you just have to put everything asside and do that one thing. And most of the time after doing that one important thing, i feel so good i just keep going.
Dawn. I think you have been a fly on the wall, in my home. I did this exact thing,all week on my daily to do list. Doing the easier things on my to do list and getting more frustrated with the looming task. Well thanks to your motivation that task will be done today. What a relief it will be, thank you again.
Thank you so much for this video. You were really able to speak to my heart. Especially in this past season, just gave birth to baby 5, I've felt very out of control. I begin to speak down on myself believing that I am lazy. I know those are all false and your simple words were able to just bring me back to my senses and remind myself that it's just a matter of prioritizing the big one thing and I just so appreciate you, and the time you took to record this. Sending blessings your way! Thanks
Wow! This was a terrific video,thanks Dawn! I need to tell you you helped me change my life! As soon as I found out 6 months ago our family of 5 needed to drop 1,000 square feet of living space and relocate, I searched the internet for help on downsizing and minimalism. Your channel was the first one I found and it has been a joy to watch since. I've been doing your tips and tricks and I can say we happily live in 1400 square feet thanks to your information and insparation.❤❤
I’m not a parent but I am all about what you just said. I’m an entrepreneur and you are so right about how I feel after I get it done. Thank you so much for this tip
Inspirational. Thank you! I paused video to take care of one thing that had been in my to do list for over a week. Took me about 15 minutes. Now it’s done!
This is amazing!!! It is something that we know in our subconscious minds but have never reflected upon how efficient it could make all of us. Another thing, that happens when we put off a high impact task, is by the end of the week we have several high impact tasks on one single day and the negative vibes carries over the next week as well. Thank you for sharing this❤️❤️
I put everything on my to do list, but I keep one for work and one for home. Then, I take a medium sized post it note and decide from the list what I will finish for that day from both lists. When finished, I cross items off the master to-do lists and throw away the post its (that feels wonderful each day).
Such a great and sensible tip. Grace mixed with self direction and responsibility. That low lying anxiety behind procrastination is so draining. I love this. Going to try implementing it.
Dawn, you are my favorite TH-camr! I enjoy watching you talk about your life and especially your family. Thank you for sharing yourself with us out here. Your tips are very practical. You are a beautiful person inside and out!
I use the "something is better than nothing" thought process when I am just not feeling the urge to do my normal weekend house chores. If I get 50%-60% of the dusting done, I feel accomplished. If I get the toilets scrubbed and the sink wiped down, I did good. Things like that so I don't feel like I didn't accomplish anything at the end of the day.
I've just discovered your channel and so far your tips are so very useful. I am an expert procrastinator, endless list maker and and love getting rid of stuff. someone once told me "that an empty 'in' box is not a sign of a successful life" makes sense to me! I get so much joy from crossing an item off my to do list that I will actually add something I did that day that wasn't initially on the list, just so I can run a line through it. Lol ! anyway, thanks for all that you share
I have a large command center set up in our kitchen, right when you come in you can see it. One thing that has helped me a lot cleaning wise, is having our cleaning list broken down into daily, weekly and monthly task that need to be accomplished. For someone with health issues and a child with special needs, this made a huge difference for me, especially more so on the harder days, since I can see the little things we have gotten done and know that even if I feel like the day had gone to shit and nothing has been done, seeing that a lot had been certainly helps. As well as having two months up to know who has what appointments when and so on.
I am so glad I found your you tube videos, you are a real person who struggled and understand. You are an inspiration and I will be continue to watch you daily to motivate me on my journey!!! thank you!
Hi Dawn - I just found your channel and love your videos :) Something that i picked up from a video I saw on time management is that the way to tell which item on your list is the highest priority - it's the one you want to do the least! Sometimes that is because you have kept putting it off, so something that wasn't urgent to begin with is now urgent, because you let is slide! If i have a major task that is complex or just something i don't want to do, i usually reserve time to do it, which might be a week or two away (but still be done 'in time') but this also leaves space for me to just be inspired to do it before that date (I might wake up extra early or feel really awake after dinner and use that time), and then i can use that reserved time for something else.
yes! This is even good for kids to learn! Especially this summer, if they could just do the ONE "big" chore I ask them to do for the day, it would maybe take them 20min and the house could stay in order but because it gets put off all day, we're all anxious and snappy with one another!
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In less than 10 minutes you explained how to eat the frog! And thank goodness you mentioned the that a to do list is never finished. I think that relieved the minds of so many of us! Thank you for sharing!
Yes! Eat the Frog! Just heard about this from Brian Tracy's book. Do the hardest thing first.
That book was very for my brain. I even have a 🐸 keychain to remind me of what I learned from the book.
Hi Dawn! This is a great system, and I think in another season of my life it could work well. For me, I have to break down my life into three-hour shifts, so I use Jordan Page’s “block system.” It’s based on the idea of high school classes: when you’re in science; you only focus on science, then you put that book away and go to English and focus on that, etc. There’s a time of day for each type of task. The “morning block” is when I get ready, feed everyone, clean the kitchen, and do my morning chores. It’s when the kids get ready, eat, and do their morning chores too. Then at 10 AM, we switch to the outing block in which we do all our stuff out of the house: appointments, play dates, errands, lessons, etc. It also includes lunch. Then we switch to home block when we do quiet things at home. The kids read, play, and craft; I pay bills, do the mending, fold the laundry I started in the morning, take a quick nap (my favorite thing!) etc. I am able to put off making that annoying phone call that turns into being on hold for a half hour to the beginning of my “home block” so I can focus on being with my kids all morning. Yes, there’s a low buzz of anxiety in the back of my mind the same way an afternoon test would make me feel anxious, but if I were to do that time-consuming task in the morning, it would ruin my day. Today I’m taking the kids to the zoo, and when I get back, I have to do some medical paperwork; it’s annoying, but if I use my most energized time of the day (late morning) on this task that could easily be done while I’m resting at home after the zoo, I’d be misusing my energy. Make sense? My energy is more important to me than my time right now. The “dinner block” is exactly what it sounds like, and at the beginning of it is when I let the kids have screen time while I fix dinner-to reward them for a good day’s work and to keep them from snacking while I’m fixing dinner. We’re hangry, so it keeps down the griping too, haha. If we have extra time at the end of this block, I take them for another short outing (a walk, swimming, to visit someone, etc.) or we connect at home. Then it’s the “bedtime block”-designated time for me to take my kids through their bedtime routines, connecting with them some more, and nurturing them before they drift off to sleep. Once they’re down, I do some tidying and wrap up loose ends (usually laundry) and do a little self care. I prioritize sleep because I’m up every three hours in the night right now. This system has been the best for me. I’ve been able to get a summer bucket list from my kids, and I scheduled these highly requested events twice a week during our outing blocks because I already know what our day will look like one or two months from now. It’s the best! I hope this helps someone!
Inspired!
Helene Bennie It was Divinely inspired, I’m pretty sure!
@@tawnytuppence5573 Even better!
Thanks so much!!!👍🙂
I do the same as well. I had to add a plugged (time on cellphone) / unplugged and it was eye opening to see the amount of time I would spend on the phone. (Thinking I'm just going to be 2mins).
I'm a Mom of a large family. I came up with a cleaning schedule for Monday through Friday. Each day there is one room in the house that I call the "Room Of The Day" or ROTD. My goal for that day is to either deep clean an area of the room (vacuum and reorganize a drawer, clean the ceiling fan, etc.) or spend time decluttering. I do as much as I can as time allows for that day. Then the next day I work on a different room between meal prep, laundry, etc. Some days I can only spend 15 min. or so on the ROTD, but for me, it's still an accomplishment. My one downfall to my plan: sticking to it! With all the little ones I have (and a special needs daughter) it's very easy for me to get off track. I love the time management tip you have in the video. I go through the same thing and this is a great way to overcome that procrastination that's so easy to do. Thank you for the video!
I love this idea!
Helpful to see how you do this! Thank you.
I have a cleaning schedule, too, that I used to do, but haven't for a long time.
It's to just give everything a light cleaning, 10 min each day. I used to set a timer, but it broke. I need to get another one! Doing this light, brief cleaning helps keep the rooms picked up.
M: Spritz & Wipe Kitchen
T: Spritz & Wipe Bath
W: Spritz & Mop Kitchen & Bath
Th: Dust Living Room
F: Dust Bedroom
S: Vacuum Living Room and Bedroom
Sun: Sweep Patio, Clear Out Car.
When I do this, the rooms get a little cleaner each time, and it keeps everything from deteriorating too much. (As it has, now!)
As a true procrastinator for some reason the “done is better than dread” really hit home for me. The low level anxiety is real. Thanks for the great tips. Doing 1 thing seems so much easier! Thank you!
I ended up hiring someone to clean my house every week. This saved my life. I hate sweeping, mopping, and dusting. She does these things letting me have more free time to do other things. When I first started watching your videos, I thought I could never live with less. I'm just starting to have less in my house and keeping the stuff I really want.
good on you for hiring a cleaner! this really can beca life saver.
About 20 yrs ago, my naturopathic physician picked up on my tendencies to be a work-a-holic even tho serious injury was keeping me down long term. She once told me that we are a human "beings" not human "doings". It was the first time I had heard that statement. I think of it quite often.
She also said that "to do lists" are helpful and said much of what you did just now, but added something SO HELPFUL! She started me on making a DID IT LIST daily (!!!) Yes!
That way, so many of the tasks that I did without thinking about it or that came up unexpectedly would be written down and I would feel SOOOO satisfied at the end of the day.
Thank you for your great video!!!!
I've realised that I focus more on the things I haven't done, so the 'did it' list is a great idea.
I love the I did it list,
I flipped around the concept of a to-do list.
Great idea!
Here's something that helps me: At the end of the day I compile a got-it-done list. I write down everything I accomplished from my to-do list plus all the other things I did that weren't on my list.
It really helps me keep a good perspective because sometimes I start things but they don't end the way I want them to or I can't finish them, so at the end of the day I feel like I didn't accomplish anything. The got-it-done list reminds me that I did work really hard even though the outcome wasn't what I wanted.
Danielle Charland-Gruhzit excellent point
Love this idea! Most days I feel like ,“What have I even done all day? Did I accomplish anything?” It helps too to go back on past days to cross out things I got done but forget to cross off. Then I realize how much I have been getting done.
Sorry one more thing… You have a gift. You’re a very special person. Your energy comes through in a way that is undeniable. There are a lot of people doing what you are doing but you put your own stamp on it in a way that is unpretentious, real, organic. And I believe that’s why you make such a difference.I would love to hear more about how your spirituality plays a role in your life. It just adds another layer of power to what you are doing, in my opinion. Regardless, thank you again for everything that you do. And please tell your husband that I thank him too! You are quite a pair! And you are both doing waaaaaay better than you think you are!💜
Sometimes I just have to wait for things to rise to the top in priority. But that app has been life changing for me getting stuff out of my head .. easily!
I’ve Loved Donna Otto’s old book from the 1980’s: “Get more done in less time”
My favorite anti-procrastination quote:
“Do the worst first, and the first fast!”
I love your “one top thing” concept!
I make lists by category- self care, social contacts, chores, etc to try to balance out each day
Dawn, I just deleted 15,000 emails because of you. I didn’t know how to do until I heard you say start with the unread ones. Presto! 14,000 gone. I’m not tech savvy but feel a big relief to get rid of those. No guilt! Thank you🤗
Thank you so much for this. As a mom of a toddler I struggle to do those important things and keep bumping them to the next day.
Today I took your advice, got Grandpa to babysit for 1 hr and got the two things done I needed too. I feel much better and can enjoy the rest of my day. 😄
I went and bought a water bottle with a straw a few days ago and have been drinking tons of water ever since. I can't believe how much the straw helps and you really don't feel like your drinking that much! Thanks for all of the helpful tips!!!
I have two time management habits that I have began using this year.
1. I use a timer⏳ ( not on my phone) to motivate myself to begin when I am just not feeling it, be encouraged to finish, and to avoid over-working myself minute- wise.
2. I use one day a week (Wed ) as AP day ( anti-procrastination day ) I take that one task on my running list that I am dreading the most, like you said! This usually prompts me to do a 2nd or even 3rd task following that one, bc of knowing that the hardest one (or the one I had anticipated being the hardest ) has been done😁
Your idea presented here was encouraging and am so HAPPY for you and how it has worked wonders for you!
The low-level anxiety you explained was spot on! The weeks I am on the ball with those nagging to-dos, I feel completely at ease. This week, I had something hanging over my head that I waited until today (Friday) to complete, and it just made me feel way more stressed than was necessary. This video is a game-changer, thank you!!
You are giving me hope! I’ve got 4 kids, ages 2 to 7. I am home with them full-time, and it is so utterly overwhelming. This mindset shift of a revolving to-do list with priorities that get updated every day - it’s a game-changer! Thank you!
Being home with kiddos full time is no easy task mama! I feel ya on that. We just have to keep on truckin'. 💕
OMG i totally do this all the time!!! By putting off the thing that you think would be a lot of work and doing a million other things, at the end of the day your still stressed and that thing isn't done. This is probably one of the best tips and eye openers I have read. Thank you. And BTW your hair looks so cute, I love the fun summer waves.
Thank you so much!! ♥️
I found this tip helpful: when tidying/decluttering or whatever you'd like to call it, is to tidy for 15 minutes and rest for 30 and so on. I found this worked well for me as I was becoming overwhelmed with home related chores and work related (I run a small pub and do all the paperwork etc at home). Putting things into the 15 minute blocks much easier to handle.
Yes, isn't that the flylady system?
@@KatarinaS. Hi, not sure. I got it from one of the quilting channels. We live in the UK and moved from a 3 bed house with lots if storage, to a two bed bungalow with hardly any storage. I am now starting to let go of things that I have kept way too long. I really like how you organised your clothes in the closet; it's a great idea to a set number if bottoms and tops relevant to what you actually need them for. Thanks again for all the info and ideas you have shared.
I start with 8 min , at different tasks , then increase to 9 min next go around. You can actual count how much you worked.
Thanks for this video! You make an important point! And good for you for putting “Call Grandma” on your to-do list! I’m a grandma, and I love receiving calls from my grandchildren! I hope I will always be on their list! 😀👍
So glad to hear that your list is never done . . . thought I was the only one! Now I just need to prioritize properly. Thanks for the great tip Dawn!
Same
Me too. I thought I was the only one who doesn't finish their to do list.
Yeah same, I had so many days without getting everything done that I really started feeling like totally lost 🤣 Now that I heard even the minimal mom doesn't get to always have everything done, I am instead proud about the days when I actually did get everything on my to-do list done and am not ashamed about myself anymore... so thanks from the depth of my heart, Dawn! ❤
I have those dreaded tasks as well. What I do is break down the task into the tiniest steps. I'll use make coffee as an example... 1.pull maker to front of cabinet. 2.Plug in. 3.Rinse pot. 4.add water 5.place scoop&coffee on counter... You get the idea. Then I tell myself: Only do one thing... Getting to check off that one thing is so rewarding. Getting the second thing done, now I'm on a roll. One another project, each task may take 15 minutes instead of one second but I can suffer through a small bite and get on with something that's distracting me. OR once I do that tiny task, I think well I've got time for the next thing and before I know it... The project is done! ❤🌅🌵
Sometimes I hate to put away the clean dishes which I emptied the dishwasher so I start counting , by 60 sec it’s done but I feared it for hours .
I do that :) but I use highlighters to color code their importance
(Red - do first, yellow - do next, green - it can wait) I try to do at least the top 3 things a day.
That's awesome Stacy!!!
Great tip!
I number them
Stacy Higginson I brain dump and then categorize (if I didn’t already) highlighting the categories by color or re-writing in the categories. Color coding also helps in my planner, but only 5-6 colors. Beyond that I lid need a key and that would defeat the purpose. I use each person’s favorite color and then highlight work events in our work color. So, when I glance at something written in green ink I know it’s an FYI for my husband’s schedule, but I see purple I know it’s an appointment for my oldest.
Thanks for the tip Stacy !
The only TH-camr that I have actually watched every video. Such a great personality 💕
I sometimes use a Swiss cheese effect. I do a part of something that feels daunting, I had to bake cookies and kept putting it off. So one day I pulled out and measured dry ingredients, set out what I needed like vanilla, chocolate chips, dates, etc. The next day, it was easy to put everything together and bake them. They were really good.
I do this too for recipes that take a lot of time or are multiples..... i.e. my totally from scratch Chicken Pot Pies. Yea! Now baking cookies will be easier too!!!! Thank you!
Katy in NH I would love to see your pot pie recipe
I do this for my Sewing Project, whereby :
1. I have a basket inside I put my sewing tools n all the clothes that need some small stitching n repairs.
2. Then I do step by step, baby steps, maybe 1weekend 1cloth to repair.
3. And to create momentum, I standby the needle with thread so easy for next stitching.
Yay Real Estate Moms!!! I have been a Realtor for 4 years and I am 1 year into my minimalist journey. This past year has been the most successful and I owe it all to time blocking and simplifying my life and home.
Thank you! Feeling like my to do list never ends and it's been getting me down. So good to be reassured that I'm not the only one (who feels they are failing with getting anything done). Your video is so helpful and has given me a key for a better system that won't make me feel like I am just chasing tick boxes on a list each and every day of my whole life.
I've been doing this since I developed chronic illness 4 years ago, and it helps so much. It helps spread out your energy, and your weekends don't get flooded with things to do. Like you said, you'll rarely have an empty list, but that's ok! Wholeheartedly recommend this for any chronic illness or chronic pain patient.
I've been bullet journaling for a little over a year now...and it's been a great way to help me manage my time (plus...I get a little "artsy" decorating it, so I'm soothing my crafting genes at the same time).
Love this!!! ♥️
Becca Carrillo Could you expound on this or direct me to a resource. I like the sound of it.
@@justinerags7062 TH-cam is a wonderland of bullet journaling...with varied degrees of "artsy"-ness. The original bullet journal is very minimal...all ink and paper. Mine is sort of a combination of practical and creative. So...I would recommend the videos that got me going: Sarah Churchill (her videos from a couple of years ago) and Natalie Bowers (who does multiple types of crafting so you'll need to search her videos). You can also search for Bullet Journaling for Beginners. Good luck!
Always do the thing you dread most FIRST! 👍🏼
Hey Dawn, I am always writing lists that become overwhelming (cluttered) this sounds like a "highly simplified" bullet journal list. Focusing on completing one thing at a time and keep your list do-able (minimal). You are so smart. I love it! Can't wait for the next video. TFS!
Wow, you’re so mentally healthy! I love it! I love that you can publicly and unapologetically verbalize what you’re good at in such a genuinely humble way. (Probably because this is an area I struggle with even though I know my talents and strengths I could be more outwardly confident.)
Dawn, You're speaking to ME, like to my soul. I do everything for everyone, ALL the time (wife, mom, teacher, student, volunteer) and feel like a total failure ALL THE TIME. I like the idea of looking at the To Do List as a "revolving list." I've developed anxiety, and time management, when I do it effectively, does wonders for me. I don't have a lot of time for FB...I also have insomnia, so I do get it in, but your channel is doing very good things for my mind and my life. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. God bless you : )
This is imperative for focusing at work when you’re always in your inbox! I decide the 1 thing (or 2, or 3) the day before, and when I come into work, I do not open my inbox until I do that thing(s). What a game changer!
I really enjoyed and got motivation from your blogs.
I have a tip for you. Before you remove your latex gloves just dry them like your hands with a towel then take them off and store.
When any winter gloves are dirty I put them on and wash them just like my hands and rinse. Let dry
My husband and I are just now trying to start a family and we never put much thought into what type of family we really wanted to be. I have fell into your videos and love seeing what you and your family implement into your minimalist lifestyle. I struggle with time management and you have the best ways to overcome those obstacles!!!
I am so happy to have found you & your family!! I love that @ the core of everything is GOD! Thank you for sharing your lives with us! I love that you & hubby are not fake!!
God bless y’all!!
Thank you so much, we greatly appreciate that!!! ♥️😊
Always looking to refresh my methodology for handling my to-dos. I've been a long-time subscriber to Stephen Covey's Quadrants and this is on point about prioritizing the most important or high impact item(s). The psyche space you gain from tackling that one hanging-over-your-head item is the key to keeping balanced and feeling accomplished and successful in all the roles you play in your life. High points to you on mentioning that a To-Do list is a revolving, circular thing, with items added daily no soon you cross some out. Excellent video!
This is great advice! One thing that’s helped me allot is to have hanging folders A to Z. If I only have one or two papers for a letter then I file them by that letter. When I get enough pepper of one type, I make a separate folder the is filed behind the alphabet letter. Being able to file individual papers quickly by letter has helped me keep organized over the years.
Thank you for changing my life! I had no idea how inventory reduction could give me such peace! My husband keeps saying his mom could just walk right in for a visit and the house looks great! Hearing you say it's ok the whole list doesn't get done is such a relief! I looked at what I was dreading today and did that first! What joy! Thank you!!!
When you described your pre- state, I feel like you were describing me! Life as a working mom can be so overwhelming 😁
You are a model of what I want to do in 2020. Minimalism + organization ...
There was this video about bullet journaling. I think it's overkill, but there was a section about creating a key to mark the to-do items.
Dot = task
X over dot = completed
Line thru = cancelled
Dash - means notes
Asterisk = important
Your videos are so inspiring! I am chipping away at my almost 30 years of marriage stuff and I'm excited to see how our"last" home is going to shape up! Please keep them coming!
Laura Back you are not alone we are doing the same 30 year purge!! We have moved from a large home to a tiny home and trying to have a home that looks as clean and peaceful as Dawns!!
It may seem to some that there is nothing new here, but I have read through the comments to find a few additional tips and other perspectives. I even found that several who are struggling with their own health or the health of a family member are looking for ways to make life easier. Several members of our church family have experienced the death of one in their own family recently. Last week one such family best known to our oldest son, lost the father and 2 daughters. Mother and 16yo son survived, but face a long road to recovery. The semi driver also survived. They all need prayer.
Sometimes people need to look for ways to return to their "normal" life.
Thank you for providing that help, Dawn. God bless you and your family.
I have 30 file folders labeled 1-30. When something comes up that I know can wait for another day (like updating a Christmas card address list) I put it in one of the folders. I also have file folders labeled Monday-Sunday. Each day I grab the two folders for the day. So if it’s Thursday, July 1, I grab the Thursday folder and the folder labeled 1. Sometimes the folders are empty. When mail comes in I file it accordingly. If my husband asks me to do something or call someone I write a post it note and I put it in the appropriate file. I know that every Thursday I make my menu and grocery list. So on Thursday the menu list and the groceries list I designed are already in the Thursday file. I do not concern myself with the other folders. So while things might get done a little slower, they are also done peacefully. Bills don’t sneak up, appointments are made well head of needing them, so I have plenty of time if an emergency comes up. Inside each folder I also have written on the inside cover of every file my typical chores for that day. As an example I changed all the bedsheets on Mondays, and every month on the 20th I deep clean my dining room. I also keep a paper calendar that I take everywhere. It has not only a calendar but a place to write down notes, expenses, lists. school or doctor information, etc. Everything in my calendar is eventually transferred to one of the folders. It sounds complicated in the very beginning but every morning I simply take out two folders and that is my to do list.
Reading this at first was REALLY intimidating, but the more I read, the more it made sense and sounds very calming once you've hit your rhythm. This is definitely the sort of system that you tailor and tweak to fit it to your life but it seems pretty magical once it's set and rolling. Congrats on coming up with such a cool system!
I can’t explain how happy I am that I’ve found your channel! Everything you talk about just makes so much sense to me. I already can’t wait to wake up tomorrow morning, make my to do list like I usually do but actually get done the one thing that I know I need to do most instead of every other thing that doesn’t really need to get done right away lol I can already feel the constant anxiety I feel lift away! thanks so much for all your advice :)
Yes, I feel the same way! Looking forward to this. Thanks for your comment.
I have tried SO many planners and finally a few months ago I realized that having a weekly spread totally stresses me out!!! I felt like I was writing so many repetitive things and trying to add things just to fill white space. I am in an on the go folio from erin condren now and it’s basically a travelers notebook. I have a monthly and a daily now. Cut the weekly and I have been loving it! I have a journal just for brain dumps too which helps my mama brain so much! I love your outlook. it brings so much peace and permission to just be happy with what was done rather then what wasn’t.
Hi Dawn! From California! I am always writing in my bullet journal I just need a brain dump every morning with 3 kids Work Husband and just life lol! I feel like that’s helped me out so tremendously but Also just getting ready the night before. I know it’s late everyone is sleeping and I have all my machines running. It’s the only way I can leave on time and not be so frantic in the morning. My night time routine has changed my life not as much as decluttering but helped tremendously. I’ve been going thru my Home since December 2017 I don’t know how I’ve had so much not 100% there yet but I’m a lot closer than I was then.(60-70%) Doing this Minimal thing Solo all my Siblings And Parents loves having tons of Stuff but this works for me!! Always looking forward for your videos! Your an inspiration for me❤️
I found your channel this week and you have inspired me so much. I was plateau_ing in my minimalism practice and I feel like you've opened a whole new world of possibilities for me. I have a small kitchen and was able to pair down my dishes and actually make space for everything inside my cabinets! My clear tops of cabinets and counters are so inviting, I actually want to be in kitchen! Ty so much for the peace u have brought to my life already
I love this this topic!!! Can't wait to see more.
🤰Dawn, my baby girl was born this week. We go home tommorow. 💗 She's a sweet sweet happy girl. 🤱 Thanks for the prayers. 👨👩👧👦 We feel full of GOD Grace.
Bernandette Martínez - we prayed for you! I’m so glad to hear you’re both doing well. 💚
Congratulations mama! How are things going? I remember at the three month mark things started looking up!
This video is something that I needed to hear...we have been in the journey of simplifying our house and are about 50% there which feels great. And even though we still have a ways to go, adding this simple trick to help change my mindset will help reduce the mental pressure we feel when things aren't in order. I'm not striving for perfection, just a simpler way of living and your videos always remind me that it's totally possible even for full time working moms with young children. Thanks for always providing great words of wisdom!! ❤
So I’ve noticed that it’s hard to get up super early to workout, but I’ve experienced how it weighs on me mentally throughout the day if I don’t get it done first thing. Then I’m trying to figure out when it will fit in the day and I’m actually more tired later in the day and then if I skip it I feel guilty, so it takes away from my mental capacity versus do it and be proud it’s done all day. I would love to see how you organize your to do list! I love how you break down things in a way that feels realistic and manageable. Love your channel!
I love your comment about giving up the goal of "finishing the list" and thinking of it as an ongoing fact of life, I keep a bullet journal and every month I used to be a bit disappointed that I never got to check everything off!
Very good. I attended a time management course many years ago which taught us to prioritize our list into three categories A, B & C. Category A must be done. Category B needs to get done and category C would like to get done. What we learned from doing this was that many of the things in category A got moved to category B or C. So it helped us learn how to focus on the important things and let go of unnecessary things.
I have felt like I have been drowning not knowing where to start. I always feel like I'm behind. I hope to get it together. I would love to see how you organize your to-do items!
Same here. When close friends ask me how I am, my usual word lately is "overwhelmed" unfortunately.
Danielle Charland-Gruhzit u
I have never commented on channels before but you are so positive and relatable I just had to tell you that you are doing a great job!
Today's to-do list was simplifying atleast the kids play room but as soon as I got done with that, I found myself working on the bathroom, then livingroom, and some kitchen. I am currently 25% done with my house already and it's only day one of the big purge! I have watched ALOT of your videos in the last 2-3 days and I'm ready feeling so much better about this!
I love how you share things that make our lives easier! I have a top three list that never gets finished 😆 Isn’t it funny that when we do those things we keep putting off they are never such a big deal! Sometimes I have to bargain with myself to just work on something for 5 minutes. When I get started, it makes me want to finish it. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love the writing on your hand! It reminds me of my life as a teacher frantically writing important things on my hand so I don't forget, haha. I love you; you're so real and fun to watch 😀
My sister and I were just complaining how the day gets away from us and It feels nothing had gotten accomplished. Thank you so much!
Let me tell you my Dad's secret for not letting the day get away, because I like doing it, too. Our family was always up by 8:00 am even on weekends or, as he put it, the day was shot. Maybe that's why I'm a morning person, but as a Mom it can be an absolute must even if I'm sick. I'm especially thankful that he instilled such a habit in us. He was 93 when he died last year.
@@constancewilliams4619 I'm sorry for your lost but amazing to live a full life
I have anxiety and depression and have low motivation some days. I also procrastinate a lot and have a hard time with bigger tasks/goals and even trying to figure out smaller steps.
I do sometimes add items I’ve already completed but that weren’t on my list. It can help me feel like I’ve been more productive too.
Yes, I have a great tip. Kinda long to explain but simple to do. I think it was a Stephen Covey idea. You write down your top 3-4 LIFE priorities. Give them a letter of the alphabet in order.
For example:
A. Self-care (1.Spirit/pray/filling your cup so you have something to give etc. 2. Mind/Emotional recentering/clearing with cognitive therapy etc. 3. Body/Workout, eat right etc. 4. Environment=quick clutter pickup, wipe counters etc.)
B. Husband/Children/Mom let them know they are TOTALLY loved! (To dos for the day for them)
C. Part-time job/income/investments
D. Deep Cleaning
Ok, once you have your life priorities...
You can write your normal daily to do list then go back over it with your priorities in mind and write A, B, C, D or Misc. Next to each item. Do the list IN THE ORDER of your priorities.
The hardest part is writing your life priorities, but you only have to do that ONE TIME EVER. That way, you aren't chasing the "EMERGENCY" of each day... You are doing first things first. That keeps many emergencies from ever happening in the first place. This works like a charm. And if you combine it with this tip you learned of doing the most important item in each category first... you will be unstopable. 😃💜
To have the ableness, not ability becuz I am certainly endowed with the ability but I am kept from implementing it, the ableness to do these selfcare things, oh I would LOVE it! Single moms dont have the time or mental space. Its very sad. We get no filling up from others, our loved ones-like in a relationship. We have to get it solely from God. We get no rest either. Constant mental running talk about things to do, to take care of, to research. Its exhausting and we still have to caregive kids ALONE.
Thank you for sharing - I have two children at home and I homeschool. My oldest is six and my youngest is 1! I work from home, and I go to college. I spend a lot of time feeling anxious because I feel like I can never accomplish the things that I need to complete in day. Thank you for sharing your journey!
Dawn, thank you so much for your tips! Within your videos, there is ALWAYS something motivational and actionable. I love the confidence you project in this one. It’s exciting to see that all the work you’ve done to reduce your belongings/simplify and become minimalist has had such a wonderful effect on all aspects of your life and it definitely makes that lifestyle even more appealing. Thank you for continuing to share your journey.
Thank you so much Lisa, I greatly appreciate this!!! ♥️
It's so nice to have a fellow Realtor on a channel. Our days are anything but typical. I have some staging materials, open house signs, client docs, open house supplies etc, where do you keep all your real estate items and how are they organized? Do you have an office outside of your home that you can store those things?
I love this! I’ve started brain dumping, which has helped a lot with headspace but I think you’ve hit on my next necessary step. I’ve had two big things bouncing around my head and I keep putting them off. Great video! This is my new goal for Sept!
I have 14 grands and several greats, plus siblings and a spouse. So many obligations. Love your tips because they help me get back to the basics.
This is Saturday and I made my list. I checked off 3 of 6 tasks. The three were all related but I had broken them down into 3 categories and got them all done. It took me a little over an hour and I dreaded doing it but now it's done. They were the "hardest" things on my list. Great video Dawn!
My husband passed away six weeks ago and I feel like I have an insurmountable “to-do” list right now
This video was so timely for me right now because I struggling to reinvent my routine and prioritize in a whole new way. This really helped me.
Thank you
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie. Please ensure you make time for self-care and be gentle with your expectations. Stop and breathe when life and the must-do’s feel overwhelming. Taking action from a place of stillness is always more productive and efficient than charging on through. With love Rebecca
❤️
I am so sorry! One day at a time. Hugs!
This is a great tip! And the "revolving to-do list" is so true! So a rule I have made For myself is i must choose at least 1 of the 1st 5 "to-do's". That way, whenever I remake a to-do list each week I take the items that I have not gotten finished, add them to the top of my new to-do list, and then add things under/to it, I'm not allowed to just keep picking the easiest things off the list, I must check off at least one of the big items from the previous week each day. Another thing I also try to do, is Do the task right then & three if it's going to take less than 2 minutes, instead of adding it to the list
I kinda have that same list but it is a monthly, but Now I think I am ready to make it a weekly list, and some day soon make it a daily. With my chronic pain/health condition I need to be patience with myself and manage my day to day things. I have weekly things that get done which if they don't get put on that list or prioritize on the next week. If something get push many times it just doesn't need to be done if it not that important let just get rid of that stress causing things.
I know this concept as “eat that frog”. If you eat a frog (do that hard thing) first thing in the morning, the rest of the day will seem so easy.
I heard of that too! But I must say "the one thing" appeals much more to me... Who wants to eat a frog, realy?🐸😀👍
Exactly. Long winded video to say just that! Do the most hated thing on the list first. End of x
Sarah partridge - Thank god someone else felt the same way. As lovely as this lady seems to be, that's 9 minutes I won't be getting back. Could have been summarised in the first 10 seconds then elaborated on from there.
@@dingdong211270 I felt the same way. This was not a new concept, we all know to do that dreaded but very important thing first, the problem is actually doing it when putting it off is what we (I ) typically do.
Thank you so much. I have been appreciating your heart to heart talks. I laugh when I find myself nodding and agreeing (out loud) with your comments that validate my own similar struggles-as if we were in the same room and talking as long-time friends! I am inspired by your desire to share what you've learned and your ability to do so with warmth, humor and such clarity. I feel grateful to have found you, and am encouraged that there will be light at the end of the overwhelm!
I love the notion that your to-do list is revolving! I use it that way, but the shame of not completing something sits with you. Also, I love that you highlighted the low-level anxiety of not tackling high impact tasks. Super helpful!
I love this idea! One thing you said was when gardening (or whatever) saying to yourself that you shouldn't be doing it but you should be doing X. This can be a great way to hone in on that one thing on the list. By looking at the list and asking for each of the tasks, "What one thing will I be thinking or feeling I should be doing if I am doing this?". By asking this going through each of the list items, I think it will make finding out what that one thing is if it isn't so obvious before. Hope that makes sense.
Oh Dawn, thank you so much for this video! You included such helpful ideas. I'm not a busy mom since my kids are grown and out of the home but I have been working on trying to downsize, simplify, and finish some home improvements around our home and have gotten down to some of the areas that are more challenging. It is so easy to procrastinate and just waste time on my laptop instead of working to complete these things that have been hanging over my head and adding stress by simply remaining undone. Thank you again for your encouragement! :-)
I learned time blocking almost 25 years ago and have used the time management technique ever since. In planning my day I automatically think in blocks of time and prioritize tasks within each block as a matter of habit.
The less we have , the more we can get done, dusting is easier when there is less clutter everywhere, and we can finish cleaning faster to get to other things. I absolutely agree.
I work from home full time. I would love and appreciate how you manage this - especially with the kids home this summer. Thank you!
Thank you for the video! I have been putting off a DIY project and your video made me realize how much mental energy it was costing me. I watched the video and then jumped in on Monday! It was just the inspiration I needed!
Ah, that's so cool to hear!!! 👍♥️😊
I cannot wait till next week my family’s life farm and our own business is really chaotic and so many times I feel overwhelmed and anxious. Thanks for your great videos somehow they are so relivent to my week. Great work and thanks from Australia 🇦🇺
Thank you so much Sheryl! And that is ALOT on your plate! All our best to you!!! ♥️
I just got 4 major things done that have been hanging over my head. It feels so good to stop worrying about them.
My tip is to just get it done. If it's something important you just have to put everything asside and do that one thing. And most of the time after doing that one important thing, i feel so good i just keep going.
I have watched and read more organization/mom videos and blogs than I can count. This is the first person that I can actually relate to.
Dawn. I think you have been a fly on the wall, in my home. I did this exact thing,all week on my daily to do list. Doing the easier things on my to do list and getting more frustrated with the looming task. Well thanks to your motivation that task will be done today. What a relief it will be, thank you again.
Thank you so much for this video. You were really able to speak to my heart. Especially in this past season, just gave birth to baby 5, I've felt very out of control. I begin to speak down on myself believing that I am lazy. I know those are all false and your simple words were able to just bring me back to my senses and remind myself that it's just a matter of prioritizing the big one thing and I just so appreciate you, and the time you took to record this. Sending blessings your way! Thanks
Wow! This was a terrific video,thanks Dawn! I need to tell you you helped me change my life! As soon as I found out 6 months ago our family of 5 needed to drop 1,000 square feet of living space and relocate, I searched the internet for help on downsizing and minimalism. Your channel was the first one I found and it has been a joy to watch since. I've been doing your tips and tricks and I can say we happily live in 1400 square feet thanks to your information and insparation.❤❤
Wow Julie, this is SO cool! Thank you so much for the kind words and I'm so glad you shared this, I know it will inspire others, too!!! ♥️♥️♥️
I agree! Needing more space vs just needing less stuff.
My cool tip: cross them off with Highlighters, super colorful and obviously done :D
Love this!!! ♥️👍
I’m not a parent but I am all about what you just said. I’m an entrepreneur and you are so right about how I feel after I get it done. Thank you so much for this tip
I really like this idea! I've been making my list and marking my top 3. I think I'll continue this top 3 but circle "that one thing." Thanks, Dawn!
Inspirational. Thank you! I paused video to take care of one thing that had been in my to do list for over a week. Took me about 15 minutes. Now it’s done!
This is amazing!!! It is something that we know in our subconscious minds but have never reflected upon how efficient it could make all of us. Another thing, that happens when we put off a high impact task, is by the end of the week we have several high impact tasks on one single day and the negative vibes carries over the next week as well. Thank you for sharing this❤️❤️
I put everything on my to do list, but I keep one for work and one for home. Then, I take a medium sized post it note and decide from the list what I will finish for that day from both lists. When finished, I cross items off the master to-do lists and throw away the post its (that feels wonderful each day).
Such a great and sensible tip. Grace mixed with self direction and responsibility. That low lying anxiety behind procrastination is so draining. I love this. Going to try implementing it.
Dawn, you are my favorite TH-camr! I enjoy watching you talk about your life and especially your family. Thank you for sharing yourself with us out here. Your tips are very practical. You are a beautiful person inside and out!
I use the "something is better than nothing" thought process when I am just not feeling the urge to do my normal weekend house chores. If I get 50%-60% of the dusting done, I feel accomplished. If I get the toilets scrubbed and the sink wiped down, I did good. Things like that so I don't feel like I didn't accomplish anything at the end of the day.
I've just discovered your channel and so far your tips are so very useful. I am an expert procrastinator, endless list maker and and love getting rid of stuff. someone once told me
"that an empty 'in' box is not a sign of a successful life" makes sense to me! I get so much joy from crossing an item off my to do list that I will actually add something I did that day that wasn't initially on the list, just so I can run a line through it. Lol ! anyway, thanks for all that you share
I have a large command center set up in our kitchen, right when you come in you can see it. One thing that has helped me a lot cleaning wise, is having our cleaning list broken down into daily, weekly and monthly task that need to be accomplished. For someone with health issues and a child with special needs, this made a huge difference for me, especially more so on the harder days, since I can see the little things we have gotten done and know that even if I feel like the day had gone to shit and nothing has been done, seeing that a lot had been certainly helps. As well as having two months up to know who has what appointments when and so on.
I love this. It's so true that we can never get our to do list done, and it's often far easier to do the non-important things.
I love how you say it’s revolving and doesn’t make or break your day
I am so glad I found your you tube videos, you are a real person who struggled and understand. You are an inspiration and I will be continue to watch you daily to motivate me on my journey!!! thank you!
Hi Dawn - I just found your channel and love your videos :)
Something that i picked up from a video I saw on time management is that the way to tell which item on your list is the highest priority - it's the one you want to do the least! Sometimes that is because you have kept putting it off, so something that wasn't urgent to begin with is now urgent, because you let is slide! If i have a major task that is complex or just something i don't want to do, i usually reserve time to do it, which might be a week or two away (but still be done 'in time') but this also leaves space for me to just be inspired to do it before that date (I might wake up extra early or feel really awake after dinner and use that time), and then i can use that reserved time for something else.
My ONE thing that has helped me is the word GET
my GET to do list...
I am so proud of you!
Love this! And THANK YOU!!! ♥️😘
Jonah K what is a GET to do list? How does it work?
What a positive way to look at it! Thank you for sharing that! :)
Varonica Crawford instead of
To Do ...I Get To Do .. it changes your perspective and gives you motivation
Jonah K thank you! I understand now.
yes! This is even good for kids to learn! Especially this summer, if they could just do the ONE "big" chore I ask them to do for the day, it would maybe take them 20min and the house could stay in order but because it gets put off all day, we're all anxious and snappy with one another!