{principles for} Keeping A Daily Schedule

I love schedules. I love lists. I love checking things off these schedules and lists…it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Many have asked how I get everything accomplished in a normal day. My answer? I stick to my schedule. Though sometimes I have to alter it a bit due to normal everyday life, for the most part we stick to a pretty strict schedule.

photo credit: |Chris|

Use these principles to help build and keep your daily schedule:

Be Realistic: Don’t schedule yourself to wake up at 4:30 each morning. Come on, we know that won’t happen. Set up a better time for you to rise & shine. For me? It’s 6:00am.

Give Tasks To Certain Times: So your baby or children take afternoon naps. Don’t schedule your errand running in the afternoons. Schedule them in the morning or evenings. There are certain tasks that need to be taken place at certain times.

Schedule “Me Time”: For schedules to work, I’ve found you need to reward yourself with some “Me Time”. What is this? A coffee break so to speak. Maybe its being on the internet for an hour while the kids are sleeping, or propping your feet up to enjoy a chapter or two in your favorite book. Whatever it is, you need time for YOU.

Don’t Freak:That’s right. Don’t freak out if something doesn’t get accomplished during your day. There is always tomorrow. With that said, dont be so lax where you put everything off until tomorrow – that defeats the purpose of having a schedule.

Here is an example of my daily schedule:

6:00am – Mom wakes up

6:00-7:00am – Moms quiet time

7:00-7:30am – Boys wake up

7:30-8:00am – Breakfast

8:00-8:30am – Bible

8:30-9:00am – Chores

9:00-10:30am – School

10:30-11:30am – Run Errands/Clean House/YMCA

11:30-12:30pm – Lunch

12:30-1:30pm – Reach books together

1:30-3:30pm – Quiet Time/Naps

3:30-4:30pm – Play

4:30-5:30pm – Mom cooks dinner

5:30-6:30pm – Dad Home!/Dinner

6:30-7:30pm – Play with Dad

7:30-8:00pm – Bath/Showers

8:00-8:30pm – Read books together/ Family Devo time

8:30pm – Bedtime/Lights Out

Start making your schedule today! I’m anxious to hear how it goes.