If you’re tired of waking up, running rampant throughout the day and night, then going to sleep to only do it all over again, I’m sure you agree that it’s time for that lifestyle to come to an end. But listen, I know that it’s easier to recognize it, but not as easy to change. I used to consistently live that on-the-go always-busy lifestyle, and if I’m not careful, I can fall into that routine again very easily. This past week for instance, I have no idea where time went. Two nights out of that week, I went to sleep at abnormally late hours because I had so much to do through the day and night. But really, did I manage my week the best I could have? I’m going to say, emphatically no—and we both know it. Although that was my life that week, “I’m not about that life”—and I know you’re “not about that life” either. Now’s the time to start making that change so you can get to a place where you have more control of your time, while accomplishing more meaningful daily goals.
SCHEDULE THE BIG ITEMS BY WEEK
It all starts with your plan of action. What often happens is, if you know something needs to get done like bringing the car to the mechanic, completing school paperwork for the kids, finishing a project at work, or sending out resumes for the next job you want to land, we try to do it all in one week. Why, oh why, do we do that to ourselves? Everything does not need to be accomplished in the same week. Schedule things at least a month in advance and spread things out. What I do is break things down by a Monday through Sunday timeframe. So if April is approaching, I’ll decide on what I’d like to see accomplished each week and then each day of each week as the week approaches. It could look something like this: Week 1 – Renew inspection sticker on car / Week 2 – Schedule time with so-and-so / Week 3 – Submit 20 resumes and cover letters / Week 4 – Get my website live for my business venture. When you schedule things per week, it takes off a load from your plate in one week, and calms your mind as well.
CUT IT OUT
Trust me, not everything needs to be taken care of and not everything needs to be taken care of by you. What is it that you’re doing in your day that’s stealing your time? These things I’m referring to are unimportant items, low on the priority list items, someone-else-can-do items. Think about it. Identify it. Then cut it out of your day. It may be constantly going out after work with co-workers or wiith friends, watching television for hours, watching YouTube video after YouTube video, scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, pinning quotes and food on Pinterest, or even laundry and food shopping that, with guidance from you, someone else in the house can do. Maybe it’s bringing your work home from the job and letting that work steal your “living” time. You don’t even have to think too hard because you’re fully aware of what has become a time-suck in you life. For me, the social media thing was definitely the culprit, previously—and I’m so glad that now I can say, previously. However, the biggest shackle I had that stole my time was bringing work home which dominated my evenings. I had to say bye -bye to that bad habit—and boy did it work! Once you’ve determined what your biggest stronghold is that impacts the effectiveness of your time-management efforts, you know what you need to do: Cut. It. Out.
SCRUTINIZE YOUR DAY
“What did I do today?” Really, ask yourself that right before you go to
sleep at night. Recap your day on paper, outlining what you did every hour and highlight
the things that you accomplished. Next, you’re going to ask yourself a series
of questions, writing down the answers. The questions are as follows:
Q: Did I use my waking hours the best way possible for a meaningful day?
Q: If I could have removed one thing from what I did to clear up space for something more meaningful, what would it be?
Q: Could I have spent less time on one of the tasks that I performed today?
Q: Am I happy with what the things that I accomplished today?
Q: If I missed the mark today, how can I arrange my day tomorrow to prevent from repeating the same thing?
Q: Specifically, what one hour time slot can I allot to an activity that will help me create a sense of order and purpose?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be equipped to adjust the plan for your next 24 hours. The more you scrutinize how you’re using your time, the more you will be aware of what to do to improve how you design your day moving forward.
Do you have a work challenge you’d like me to address with advice on the site? Email me at yardley@riseandshinebright.com. I’m here for you!
To Powerful Workweeks and Good Morning Eats!
Love,
Yardley
BUTTERNUT BANANA BOWL
Ingredients
1 Butternut Squash
½ Yellow Banana
¼ Honey Goat Cheese or Plain Goat Cheese
1.2 cup Walnuts
3 Tbsp. Honey, to drizzle
1 Tsp. Poppy Seeds, to sprinkle
Salt and Pepper, to taste
¼ of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Remove skin of butternut squash with a peeler or knife
Cut squash into 1 to 2 inch cubes. You can also buy butternut squash already cubed by your market.
In a bowl toss the squash with salt and pepper, to taste, and 2 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
Once distributed thoroughly, place foil paper, which has been lightly brushed with olive oil, on top of baking sheet. Less items to deep clean helps with the cleaning process.
Spread butternut squash on the baking sheet and place it in the oven for at least 20 mins. or until cooked, tender in the middle and lightly toasted on top
If the toasted texture and color you’re looking for hasn’t happened yet but the middle is cooked/tender, turn your oven dial to broil for a few minutes until desired color
Once cooked, remove from oven and place in a bowl
Follow with sprinkling the goat cheese and walnuts on top
Slice your banana and slide your slices around the circumference of the bowl
Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with poppy seeds
You are now served and ready to eat breakfast!
BUTTERNUT BANANA BOWL
Ingredients
1 Butternut Squash
½ Yellow Banana
¼ Honey Goat Cheese or Plain Goat Cheese
1.2 cup Walnuts
3 Tbsp. Honey, to drizzle
1 Tsp. Poppy Seeds, to sprinkle
Salt and Pepper, to taste
¼ of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Remove skin of butternut squash with a peeler or knife
Cut squash into 1 to 2 inch cubes. You can also buy butternut squash already cubed by your market.
In a bowl toss the squash with salt and pepper, to taste, and 2 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
Once distributed thoroughly, place foil paper, which has been lightly brushed with olive oil, on top of baking sheet. Less items to deep clean helps with the cleaning process.
Spread butternut squash on the baking sheet and place it in the oven for at least 20 mins. or until cooked, tender in the middle and lightly toasted on top
If the toasted texture and color you’re looking for hasn’t happened yet but the middle is cooked/tender, turn your oven dial to broil for a few minutes until desired color
Once cooked, remove from oven and place in a bowl
Follow with sprinkling the goat cheese and walnuts on top
Slice your banana and slide your slices around the circumference of the bowl
Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with poppy seeds
You are now served and ready to eat breakfast!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Remove skin of butternut squash with a peeler or knife
Cut squash into 1 to 2 inch cubes. You can also buy butternut squash already cubed by your market.
In a bowl toss the squash with salt and pepper, to taste, and 2 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
Once distributed thoroughly, place foil paper, which has been lightly brushed with olive oil, on top of baking sheet. Less items to deep clean helps with the cleaning process.
Spread butternut squash on the baking sheet and place it in the oven for at least 20 mins. or until cooked, tender in the middle and lightly toasted on top
If the toasted texture and color you’re looking for hasn’t happened yet but the middle is cooked/tender, turn your oven dial to broil for a few minutes until desired color
Once cooked, remove from oven and place in a bowl
Follow with sprinkling the goat cheese and walnuts on top
Slice your banana and slide your slices around the circumference of the bowl
Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with poppy seeds
You are now served and ready to eat breakfast!