November 15th, 2019

As I sit here eagerly waiting to cheer on my oldest son at yet another sporting event, my mind begins to race. I have been up since 5am. Today I have prepped breakfast, lunch, and dinner for my kids and myself, took the kids to school, trained multiple clients, taught two group exercise classes, and drove to my son’s school just in time to see him play. “What must I do next?”, I ask myself, knowing that I have about 5 more things lined up for the rest of the day. Yet, as my son begins to show up on the field, my mind stops. I realize one thing. My kids are my top priority. They’ve been my world for the past 16 years, and as they get older, my moments with them become more and more precious. 

I am not writing about my crazy schedule to vent (though venting feels nice doesn’t it?). I am writing because I know I’m not alone. If you are a working mom, this schedule probably sounds very similar to yours. Our family is the most important thing in our lives, but we have so much to do and so many people that depend on us. How do we do it all? How do we find balance? Through much trial and error, I have come to find that If I want balance, I must set priorities.

The key to setting priorities is honesty. I had to sit myself down and ask these questions. What are the non-negotiables in my life? What jobs/tasks can be moved around? What can be done ahead of time to simplify the chaos? This was a big one. Once I noticed I could use my free time more effectively, it changed the game. Whether I had to meal prep for the boys, sort out carpool, or block off my personal training schedule hour by hour, I managed to survive my non-stop days by always thinking ahead. Unfortunately, working moms do not have the luxury to “fly by the seat of our pants”. Too many people depend on us! 

Prioritizing is key. It puts on paper everything you need to do, want to do, and hope to do in the future. Once you set your priorities, it will make everything easier. You will always have them in the back of your mind when making decisions or planning your week. 
I personally know that the life of a working mom is overwhelming. I was very overwhelmed at first, and honestly still get overwhelmed now. But this first step of setting your priorities helps everything fall into place. I am now able to make time for my kids, my boyfriend, my business, my friends, and myself (Always remember self-care!). I truly feel more balanced.
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So what is your balance? Do you have an incredibly organized schedule for you and your family? Or are you just beginning? 

I’ve provided a simple outline of how to begin to set your priorities and tackle your own busy schedule. .  

1. Make the time to set your priorities! (it won’t happen by itself)
2. Get a calendar! Whether it’s online or paper, get something that you will check regularly
3. Keep the process simple Start by writing down your #1 jobs/tasks and only completing those for the first week. Once you are used to that schedule, you can add in your other priorities little by little *Don’t overwhelm yourself at the beginning! 
4. Get ready to sacrifice. By closing the door to something you don’t need, it allows better doors to open.
5. Give yourself check-ups. Make sure you are regularly checking up on your list. Are you doing too much? Are you not doing enough?
6. Tackle your priorities easier by investing. The most important thing to help you conquer life is to invest in yourself. Whether that be by investing in exercise, purchasing a better mattress, or investing in that 5 minute meditation you kept saying you would do. 
7. Remember life happens. No one is perfect. You may not reach all your goals/tasks one week and that’s okay. Try not to be too hard on yourself and think how you can set yourself up better for next week! ​