Skip the to-do list and do this instead

Working at home full time, in the office or hybrid?? Whether you’re a 9-5’er or CEO of your own business, work/life balance is still a necessity to avoid burnout. While to-do list can be useful as a memory jogger, they can actually be counter-productive for several reasons: to-do lists lack prioritization, increase overwhelm, and can lead to ineffective time management. Here are 10 practical tips you can use instead of your to-do list to create work/life balance.

Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. For example, set specific work hours and avoid checking emails or taking work calls during family time. This can be really tough if you work at home, but also more crucial as the line between work-work and home-work can get a little blurry. I use time blocking to help make clear boundaries. Before I get the kids up for school, I usually do a couple of hours of work. I use my lunch break to eat and do any quick household chores. By keeping my time blocked off separately, I’m able to make the most of my time at work so I can close my laptop and move on to the next project at home.… still, that’s easier said than done. Sigh.
Prioritize Tasks: I try to lean less on to-do list and more on scheduled tasks. Use tools like a planner or mobile apps to stay organized. I live for color coded planners!! I use an acrylic wall calendar to plan out household priorities/schedules. For work, I add action items (large and small) as a calendar hold so that I can prioritize what gets done and when. This protects my time at work and prevents open time on my calendar from being mistaken as “free time”.
Delegate Responsibilities: Delegate tasks at work and at home whenever possible. For example, hire a cleaning service if feasible, or ask family members to help with household chores. This is a MAJOR one for me. I outsource as much as I can, where it makes sense practically and financially. In its simplest form, this is scheduling my groceries for curbside pickup– for just a few dollars, someone else physically does the grocery shopping so I just schedule a convenient pickup time. This also helps lower our overall grocery bill as it limits my impulse buys and saves a ton of time since I don’t have to stroll up and down every. single. aisle. I also use a mobile barber to cut all 4 our our boys’ hair at our house, and a mobile groomer for our pup.
Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Use break times to take a short walk, squeeze in a Starbucks run, or do something enjoyable. Sometimes I need to close my lap top and just walk away for a few minutes (or run to re-heat my coffee- again!). I avoid scheduling back-to-back meetings for huge chunks of the day (when at all possible) so that I have time to take a few minutes to reset when needed.
Practice Time Management: Use time management techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused and productive. Set a timer for 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break.
Learn to Say No: Don’t overcommit yourself by saying yes to every request. Learn to say no when necessary to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Remember “no” is a full sentence. Give yourself permission to say no to things that will leave you stretched thin in other areas.
Schedule “Me” Time: Make time for yourself to relax and unwind. Schedule activities you enjoy, such as reading a book, taking a bath, or going for a run. My favorite “me” time comes in the form of travel. I schedule a mix of trips throughout the year that provide me time to unwind and disconnect: trips with my hubby, trips with our whole family, a couples trip with other friends that are also balancing married life & demanding careers/businesses, a girls trip with my close friends. Practically, most often “me” time is reading a book poolside or making time for a mani/pedi.
Stay Active: Regular exercise can help reduce stress and improve your mood. Find activities you enjoy, such as pilates, dancing, or cycling, and schedule time for them each week. I enjoy group exercise classes but find them tough to fit into my schedule. Instead, I either jog on the treadmill at home, or use the group workout classes in the Fitness+ app.
Communicate with Your Employer: Be open and honest with your employer about your needs as a working mom. Discuss flexible work options such as remote work or adjusted hours. Doing a 9/40 has been a game-changer for me: I work 9 hour days Monday through Thursday, and have every other Friday off work. I use my Fridays off to do all-the-things: lunch with a friend, doctors appointments, volunteer in the kids’ classes
Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to friends, family, or support groups for advice and encouragement.