For most mums constantly juggling work, family and house work can be overwhelming. Life is busy and the list of chores never ends! It often seems there are simply not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything. Every day we play a catch up game, hoping that one day we are able to get on top of everything. This relentless catch up game can be stressful and exhausting.
Yet, there are some mums that seem to have it all under control. They seem calm and composed amidst all the chaos of the family home. Have you ever wondered how they do it? What’s their secret?
It’s the systems they employ.
What is a system?
When we think about systems, we usually associate it with systems at work such as IT systems, productivity systems etc. but simply put a system is a way of doing things and it can also be super useful generally in life, not just at work. It’s the steps you take to achieve something. Systems give you structure in your day to achieve your goals and complete your tasks.
Benefits of systems
Effective systems can:
- Help you run your home and work more efficiently
- Simplify and streamline your life
- Help you get organised and stay on top of things
- Reduce your mental load and stress
- Help you reach your goals
- Save you time and allow more time for self-care
Examples of systems
Housekeeping
Maintaining a clean house can be a challenge, especially if you have little ones running around and constantly messing it up. Create a system for housekeeping that is appropriate for you and your family. I used to spend hours on Saturdays cleaning the house. Not anymore. We now have the kids’ sport on the weekend. These days my system for keeping the house relatively clean each day is spreading the chores throughout the week rather than doing them all on one day, and also involving my kids and my partner. For example, getting the kids to clean up and pack away after playing or bringing their plates to the kitchen and scraping off food after eating. With my partner, if one cooks, the other one does the dishes.
Meals
Last minute food shopping and meal preparation can be time consuming and stressful, adding to our mental load. Creating a good system for meal planning and food shopping can be a life saver. I personally vouch for weekly meal planning. I usually do it on Sundays. It’s one of the systems that I implemented when I went back to work after my maternity leave a few years ago and it’s still working today. It saves time and stress during the week.
Weekly planner
Don’t you hate when things get missed because we completely forgot about them? Create a system for planning your week ahead. I usually sit down for 5 mins with my weekly planner on a Sunday afternoon and look at the week ahead, what’s coming up, any extracurricular activities, any appointments, birthday parties, special projects at school, planned dinners out etc. This helps me to plan for, prepare or buy anything in advance that might be needed during the week.
Morning routine
By creating a system for your morning routine, you can ensure that you start each day your way and in a calmer state. For more tips on creating a positive morning routine check out my previous blog here.
Finances
Create a system to handle your finances. At our house we do it by setting up direct debits and automating credit card and other bill payments. This way payments are not missed and we don’t need to think about it or do it manually.
How to set up systems
Here are the 3 steps you need to take in order to create systems in your home and work life so that you can gain back time, be more effective and efficient, and increase your productivity.
1. Identify and analyse
To create systems in your life, start by identifying and analysing the actions that you take regularly. Create categories that represent different aspects of your life i.e. self-care, physical activity, meal preparation, housework, finances etc. Ask yourself “What’s working well?” “What’s frustrating me and causing stress?” “Where am I losing time and/or money?” “What can be streamlined?”
2. Work out your new system
Pick a category that needs to be changed first and create your new process or system. Ask yourself “What’s the result I’m looking for?” “How can this be done easier, faster?” “Are all of the steps necessary or can some be eliminated?” “Can anything be automated, outsourced, done in bulk or in advance?” Write down your new process.
3. Execute and adjust
Go ahead and try out your new system and tweak it if necessary. Remember your new system should be helping you and making your life easier so if after a while you find it’s no longer working, don’t be afraid to adjust it or create a new one.
Setting up a system initially can take time, however in the long term it will save you time and money, and will make your life simpler, calmer and less stressful.
If you would like FREE templates for some of the systems mentioned in this article please email info@timeformum.com.
