Not so long ago, a gal asked me the following question:“how do you keep yourself motivated as a full time homemaker?” I’d never stopped to think about this before, and it left me scratching my head. Figuratively speaking, of course!
How to Stay Motivated as a Homemaker
How DO I stay motivated? What helps me get things done in my day? I had to sit with it for a while, to observe myself. And today, I’m ready to give my answer! But before we begin, I just want to say that I don’t always live according to these principles. I’m just human. Sometimes I do well; sometimes I fall off the bandwagon.
But these are the things that guide me, help me move forward.
Tip 1: Define Your Priorities
Have you ever made time to think about what your priorities are? I mean, why are you at home? And what do you want from your home? For your life? For those in your family?
Take some time to think on this. And after you’ve found your answers, ask yourself the following question:“what do I need to put in place to ensure that my priorities are taking precedence?”
Whatever those things are, tell someone about it (because you’re 70% more likely to follow through), then explore what those priorities look like in action.
It’s simple. But it’s such a good thing to think about, particularly if you’ve just gone through a big life change!
Tip 2: Set A Routine
I know! I know! This step sounds daunting and rigid, but it really isn’t! What I’m referring to here is simply the flow of how you want your average day to go.
Get up. Feed the kids. Everyone get dressed. Or not. And then it’s playtime while mom squeaks in a bit of housework or gardening. Lunch time. Naptime. You get the picture, right?
This isn’t a rigid list and will change according to day and season. But having a general flow you aim for will help you get started with your day, even if you don’t/can’t follow it perfectly!
Tip 3: Choose One Special Task For the Day
At the beginning of the day, choose just one task you absolutely want to accomplish. It could be as basic as getting outside with the kids. Doing laundry. Canning peaches, mowing the lawn or seeing a friend.
One of the best ways to overwhelm yourself is by regularly making a loooooong to-do lists for your day. If you’re anything like me, you usually put down more items than even superwoman could accomplish! So keep it simple. One…ok…two…maybe three things!
Tip 4: Turn Off the Screen
Let’s talk real talk, shall we? For many of us, the real reason we struggle to get things done isn’t because we don’t have enough time in our day.
It’s because we spend time…sometimes far too much time…in front of the screen! Whether your screen comes in the form of television, Netflix, a computer or an iPhone, it’s easy to go with whatever is easiest, instead of what is best.
And I’m not condemning you! I know the struggle! I also let down by going online, watching YouTube, browsing ideas on Pinterest or by scrolling through pretty pictures on Instagram. But here’s what I try to do (something I’m not always good at): I try to do my work for the day first. Yes, like the one task you absolutely want to accomplish!
Sometimes, I have to be my own mother… “you can go online AFTER you’ve cleaned your room!” I don’t know about you, but it works for me.
In Conclusion
I know these 4 things sound simple. Too simple! But as I took time to think on it, as I observed myself and my days, I realized it is simple. And for most of us, it’s not that we don’t know this stuff. We know it. But we just don’t do it. So what do you think?
What holds you back from being productive in your at-home life? Thoughts? Questions? Your best tips? Please share them in the commenting section below, because we’d all love to hear from you!
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