Clutter to clarity.
You can thank my closet for the inspiration of this post. Just a few nights ago, I had been home by myself and walked into my closet to find that it had turned from a beautiful pristine housing of all our things into a dumping ground that had rapidly became in such disarray that I couldn’t stand it any longer. I went into an organizing frenzy and to be honest, it felt therapeutic purging it of any unnecessary junk! Somehow this physical organizing of my stuff made me take a step back and look at how the rest of my life is organized. The more I thought about it, the more I learned how to be efficient the best way that I know and keep my priorities in line with all that I do. So I wanted to share my own personal life hacks with you so you can keep them in mind as you tackle all of life’s demands.
1. Highlight your strengths, and delegate or ask for help in your weaknesses.
I am speaking to husbands and wives when I say this, but you have to allow the individual strengths you have to help determine how you can delegate the different responsibilities in the household. This makes for a lot less quarreling and can eliminate resentment between each other. For example in our marriage, some of the tasks we've divvied up are that I do the grocery shopping, budget, and laundry while on the other hand Ryan takes the trash out, cleans the bathroom, and dusts. Not exactly mind blowing tasks, but we divided them so there could be some order and that we would both be doing things we are happier to do. I HATE dusting, and Ryan of course would rather watch water boil then have to roam the isles of a grocery store or fold clothes. Of course, life happens, and we sometimes share tasks, but you get the gist. It's beneficial when you pair each other with the areas in which you're stronger in. I am better with handling the money and Ryan is most definitely the more scrutinizing clean one.
And for those of you who don’t have a spouse, this is where you can’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you need a workout buddy, some finance advice, or can’t even boil water, that’s what friends are for! Our Pastor said it himself this weekend, we need people! We can’t do it all on our own!
And for those of you who don’t have a spouse, this is where you can’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you need a workout buddy, some finance advice, or can’t even boil water, that’s what friends are for! Our Pastor said it himself this weekend, we need people! We can’t do it all on our own!
2. If you must procrastinate, do it well.
Some of us are professional procrastinators and rejoiced at hearing the above suggestion. On your long list of to-do's while the tasks may very, if you find yourself less motivated it doesn't mean you have to be less productive. What I mean to say is, better to get check off some of those items that are not as high on the list, then to not complete anything on the list at all. This is VERY contrary to how I normally tackle to-do's but I'm finding that more progress is made and I establish a lot more momentum to take on the larger tasks. You might disagree, but take it with a grain of salt. Even Ryan has taken on this suggestion and one night he didn't wanna study for school when he was a teacher, so what would he do..... cleaned the whole apartment. Let's just say, I was not complaining.
3. Sow what you want to reap.
A common principle we all know, but should remind ourselves of it daily. You never quite know how much just taking 5 minutes out of your day to think of someone else over yourself really does. I'm not saying that's the standard of time by no means, but it's a starting point. I have to remind myself constantly that I will live in the fruit of every moment of my life, so I wanna be sowing good seeds not rotten ones. It's just like when a parent teaches a child that there are consequences to their actions both good and bad and it's no different for us to give ourselves the same reality check. Not only do we want sow what we want to reap, it's important that for the tasks we decide to take on that we are fully present while accomplishing them. In other words, let your efforts be of quality not just quantity of time.
4. When in doubt, write it down!
This applies in so many areas. It's helpful in goal setting as a way to physically cast vision and it's also help in memory retention. Studies show that you are 33% more likely to achieve your goals when you right them down, share them with others, as well as keep accountability with someone on them. I was shocked at the percentage and hoped it'd be higher, but nonetheless it's helpful. I am note crazy, sticky notes run my life, and lists are an essential. Writing down reminders for myself and Ryan come like second nature and not only has it helped out memory retention it has
5. Let your efforts reflect your priorities.
All the above suggestions would fall so short if I didn't touch on this very last one. Everyone has a priority list for life whether they know it or not. It just happens. They say you know where your priorities are when someone sees where your time and money are going and that is so true!
The most efficient and successful person is one that puts God first. I say that unregrettably because for the times that Ryan and I have dropped the ball and put God anywhere but first is when we have seen conflict, condemnation, distrust, and even financial tension arise within our marriage. You may not correlate all those negative attributes with putting God second in command but it's true. And I loved what Pastor said today in church which was, when you give your life to God, it's not a matter of that you're giving up everything, because really with God, you gain everything. Mark 8:36 "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?"
The second priority that falls into line after God is your family. No one ever gets to choose their family, but we all get to choose if we love them or not. I know this is easier to say for some people than others. I was very blessed to grow up in a loving, God fearing home, but being in ministry for many years, I have seen the unfortunate circumstances of broken homes. I have seen people choose to let the brokenness turn to bitterness and hatred, but I have seen others who chose to let God be God and just love their family regardless. I assure you I saw blessings in the lives of those who chose the latter. So whether it be a great family or an unfortunately broken home, love them and pray for them and God honors that...
The last part of this trifecta is work. For some it is a joy and passion and for others it is a necessary evil. I'm gonna make this as short and sweet as I can. Whatever your job is, do it with as much joy as you ask God for, do it with as much honesty as you would if were your own business, and do it for God, because He has the ultimate influence in the lives of those above you, and who knows, you'll probably get promoted!
The most efficient and successful person is one that puts God first. I say that unregrettably because for the times that Ryan and I have dropped the ball and put God anywhere but first is when we have seen conflict, condemnation, distrust, and even financial tension arise within our marriage. You may not correlate all those negative attributes with putting God second in command but it's true. And I loved what Pastor said today in church which was, when you give your life to God, it's not a matter of that you're giving up everything, because really with God, you gain everything. Mark 8:36 "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?"
The second priority that falls into line after God is your family. No one ever gets to choose their family, but we all get to choose if we love them or not. I know this is easier to say for some people than others. I was very blessed to grow up in a loving, God fearing home, but being in ministry for many years, I have seen the unfortunate circumstances of broken homes. I have seen people choose to let the brokenness turn to bitterness and hatred, but I have seen others who chose to let God be God and just love their family regardless. I assure you I saw blessings in the lives of those who chose the latter. So whether it be a great family or an unfortunately broken home, love them and pray for them and God honors that...
The last part of this trifecta is work. For some it is a joy and passion and for others it is a necessary evil. I'm gonna make this as short and sweet as I can. Whatever your job is, do it with as much joy as you ask God for, do it with as much honesty as you would if were your own business, and do it for God, because He has the ultimate influence in the lives of those above you, and who knows, you'll probably get promoted!
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Here is bonus to all these helpful nuggets... a chance to win a tool to help keep your life in order and organized.
The winner will be given the option to choose one of the following prizes.For those of you who want to take advantage of the productivity apps that are out there - have at it and choose whichever app best fits your lifestyle with one of this gift cards!For those of you who like a more brick & mortar way of making lists and prioritizing (like I do!) than these are much better choice for you!
-$10 Google Play Gift Card
-$15 Itunes Gift Card
-Moleskine Life Journal
-Moleskine Evernote Smart Notebook (this notebook combines the idea of using an app as well as a regular notebook, and comes with a 3 month premium subscription to Evernote!)
-Magnetic Clipboard Set
-Work Inspired Padfolio
The winner will be given the option to choose one of the following prizes.For those of you who want to take advantage of the productivity apps that are out there - have at it and choose whichever app best fits your lifestyle with one of this gift cards!For those of you who like a more brick & mortar way of making lists and prioritizing (like I do!) than these are much better choice for you!
-$10 Google Play Gift Card
-$15 Itunes Gift Card
-Moleskine Life Journal
-Moleskine Evernote Smart Notebook (this notebook combines the idea of using an app as well as a regular notebook, and comes with a 3 month premium subscription to Evernote!)
-Magnetic Clipboard Set
-Work Inspired Padfolio
ENTER TO WIN
To enter you can do one or more of the following:
- Share this blog post via our Facebook page: facebook.com/yankeebridesoutherngroom1
- Share this photo via Instagram and tag me (audreykmercier) & Ryan (ryanmercier88) in it.
- If you are not on any social media, please forward this post via email onto someone who you think would enjoy and leave us a comment saying you did so (we trust you!)
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING AND SHARING!! The winner will be announced next week sometime so get all your sharing done this week!
Love ya!
Love ya!