Between work, family life and trying to squeeze in some ‘me time,’ it can be a difficult feat managing our busy lives – especially when some tasks get us thinking: ain’t nobody got time for that.
So how do busy, successful women actually manage to pull it all off? We sat down with House Rules and Better Homes and Gardens host Johanna Griggs, as well as some of our Mamamia writers and editors, to find out their top tips for making the most out of every minute.
Johanna Griggs.
How do I get the most out of every minute? I’ve got to keep on top of everything.
I’m a massive list writer. I think people feel busy because they lost track of things, so I’ll write lists for everything to keep track of what I’m doing and to make sure nothing is forgotten. If I feel overwhelmed, I’ll break down my life into the next few days so it all feels more manageable – I won’t look further than a week or two down the track sometimes.
I also cook en masse to save time. Whenever I’m grocery shopping I think to myself “what can I buy that I can make at least two meals from?” That way, you can really stretch the time you need to get everything else done.
"I've got to keep on top of everything." Image: Instagram@johgriggs7
Laura Brodnik.
Some days I have so much to do that if I stop and think about it all my head would explode. It can be overwhelming to think about all your to-be-done tasks at once, so I like to make a list and work through one at a time to make it manageable.
I'm also so busy during the day that as soon as I try to sleep at night, my mind starts racing with things to be done the next day. I keep my phone next to my bed opened on a draft email, which lets me jot notes down as I think of them. In the morning, I send the list to both my work and personal email accounts so I never miss anything and manage my stress to get a good night’s sleep.
"I keep my phone next to my bed opened on a draft email, which lets me jot notes down as I think of them." Image: provided.
Sarah-Jane Collins.
The most important thing is getting a good start to the day. When my alarm goes off at 5am, I never press the snooze button. I get straight out of bed, make the bed and turn all the lights on. From there, really, the best way to tackle a busy day is never being afraid to ask for help or to cancel plans if you've got too much on: it is better to not do something at all than do it badly.
When all else fails, a couple of cups of coffee will get me through!
"When all else fails, a couple of cups of coffee will get me through!" Image: provided.
Valentina Todoroska.
Writing daily and weekly to-do lists helps me to take advantage of every minute in my day. I take it a step further by giving myself deadlines as it makes me more productive. For example, I’ll knock of those little life management tasks (like ducking down to the post office or running errands) just before I head into the office or during my lunch break. That way, I’m maximising those little pockets of time you don’t often realising you’re wasting.
Keeping an appointments diary has also made the world of difference. It makes it easier to plan ahead and fully utilise your time.
"I take it a step further by giving myself deadlines as it makes me more productive." Image: provided.
Jo Abi.
Multi-taking really is key when it comes to managing my life. My son broke his arm recently but I was able to do work remotely while we were at hospital. Today, I painted my nails then hung out the laundry so the fresh air helped them dry. Later, I did the grocery shopping online while watching my favourite TV show. I even figure out a ‘to do’ list while falling asleep each night. It’s all about trying to maximise your time and getting the most out of every minute.
"Multi-taking really is key when it comes to managing my life." Image: provided.
Alys Gagnon.
There are never enough hours in the day, so stop doing the stuff you don't need or want to do, and find ways to do two things at once. I keep a to-do list, but then go through and slash off the stuff that can wait, or that I really don’t want to do.
"I do my grocery shopping on my phone on the train while I'm on my way to work." Image: provided.
I also snatch back time by combining tasks: I do my grocery shopping on my phone on the train while I'm on my way to work; I try to cook meals that are double size so I there's one for now and one for the freezer; and on really busy days, I won't lie, my kids eat porridge for dinner.
And when all that fails, as it so often does, don't beat yourself up. Ain't no one got time for that.
How do you balance being busy and still get things done?
Speaking of successful women, here are some of our favourites:
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Top Comments
Something that Eva Longoria said really resonated with me, it was something about how some people say they are so busy but some are wasting a lot of time facebooking or similar social media/net stuff, whereas she maximises her time by not wasting time on that stuff. I am paraphrasing her here because I don't recall her exact quote and I don't think she said it in a patronising way but I think she was just trying to point out some people who say they are very busy are often guilty of wasting time and not maximising. It made me think about myself because I often say to people I am really busy but waste too much time on the net (like here ha ha). It made me realise I could be really achieving a lot more if I limited my time on the net, having said that it's not always easy to be that focused and on the other hand for some people social media is a nice hobby, outlet for them, nothing wrong with that, but the point is that there are people, like myself who have sometimes let this take over our lives a bit.
Of course there are also people who are really genuinely very busy juggling motherhood, work etc, I'm just making the point that for some of us cutting down on the amount of social media we do could make a difference (so I'm on social media to tell you all to cut down on social media - ha ha don't call me a hypocrite ok :)
I've gotta be honest. I love that all these women have happy great lives but it leaves me feeling really sad about my own and how I don't fit the definition of 'successful' like they do. I am suffering with debilitating depression. I have two children and for me, successful is often just getting out of bed, getting the kids to school, feeding them, myself and having a shower. Sometimes the shower doesn't happen. I used to have ambition and a successful career and now I can barely keep my head above water. I am the opposite of the definition 'successful'. This just reminds me how unsuccessful I am.
No way guest! You're a star! Surviving each day, feeding yourself and kids and getting them to school is amazing. It's so hard living with depression. So so hard. Well done. Set small goals. And praise yourself for what you've achieved each day.
See a gp, .. Talking therapy is also good in conjunction with medication.... Social contact... A wholistic picture... :) thinking of you. And much love.
Thank you. Someone deleted my comment though???
I'm not going to offer advice, just my thoughts and support, I know exactly how you feel Guest since I have experienced it myself- and I am really happy to see your original comment was undeleted.
cheers Big Ears, take it easy kay? :o)
Your comment is back! Hang in there.
Successful is relative, and if for you successful is having a shower celebrate that.
And I am backing what Guest21 said, please get the support you need and don't feel bad about it. Hugs xxx