Secrets For a Successful Day
No matter how hard I try, some days I feel like I can’t get anything accomplished. I have the best intentions to check off several items on my to-do list. However, little interruptions, lack of proper planning, and distractions sabotage my plans.
After considering my normal schedule (if you can call it that!), I realized that I don’t have consistent time each day to devote to tasks that need to be accomplished. As a recovering perfectionist, that just drives me nuts!
When I had a job outside the home, I had office hours where I was able to be very efficient. Being a stay-at-home mom requires me to do such a wide variety of tasks that it is hard to establish “office hours.” With errands to run, blog posts to write, laundry to wash, and dinner to cook, I can’t always block off the same amount of time each day to devote to these things.
So, I decided I would try something new. Instead of beating myself up over not completing a majority of my way too long to-do list each day, I chose to focus on what matters most.
Here are my secrets to having a successful day:
Plan the night before what needs to be done. Sounds simple doesn’t it? But all too often I choose to go to bed before I consider what I’d like to accomplish the next day.
Choose three things that you want to accomplish that day. You might be wondering why only three. Yes, there will be days when your to-do list is a mile long. But if you choose the three most important tasks and determine to get them done, then you can consider that day a success. If you complete other items on your to-do list, then that’s just icing on the cake!
Start your day with a little help and attitude check. Spending time each morning in prayer and Bible reading will put you in the proper mind to face the day. Surrendering your agenda to God will make those little interruptions less annoying. You may even see that some of those interruptions are “God opportunities.”
End your day with a review. Before you plan the next day, pause and reflect on the current day. Are there habits you have that are holding you back from being productive? Did God surprise you in any way today? Think about the good things and learn from what didn’t turn out so well.
Question: What does a successful day look like to you?
