Running out of time and falling behind is a frustrating feeling. Rushing in the mornings, getting home from work, nothing in the cupboards and no idea what to eat. The snowball effect ending in a bad week. We are miserable and spend the weekend looking at piles of laundry not knowing where to make a start.... burying our head in the sand.

Want to know my secret recipe for getting ahead of things?

Now, visualise things going your way. Shopping done, food organised, some even prepped, kids fed, laundry in progress, errands run, saying yes to meeting friends for drinks... because you have the time.

Here is the secret....
Start planning on SATURDAY. Do these small things, check them off your list and you will be ahead! You will have more time for doing more fun stuff like socialising, quality time with your loved ones... and putting your feet up.... Yes, plan your bubble bath! you deserve some 'Me Time'

WEEKEND...
Yes it is a time for relaxing. But taking a little time, about 3.5hrs maximum from your whole weekend. Using this time wisely will save your whole week.

SATURDAY (approx 1.5 / 2hrs )
- Meal Plan for the next week. First see what is in the freezer and give yourself a cook-free evening if you are busy. If you haven't already, write a list of all your favourite work week recipes and pick a couple every week to rotate. Need some inspiration Go to BOSH or BBC FOOD
- Organise your weekly food list (see my rough example below)
- Check recipes, check cupboards, write your shopping list
- Stick on a load of washing and go food shopping

SUNDAY (Approx 1.5hr)
- Prep food for the next day (I would cook my soup. Whilst it was cooking I would prep for my chilli - Chop veg and leave it in tupperware. Gather ingredients and leave out for the next evening OR cook there and then!
- Stick on another load of washing
- Organise clothes for the week, do any ironing whilst watching a movie
- Prep gym bags so you can grab and go, prep kids lunches where possible (fruit & sweet snacks into ziploc bags for the whole week)
- Errands? mailing, bill paying, emails, tickets to buy etc prepare / leave a list in yourwork bag.

EVERY EVENING
- Organise for the next morning
- For me this means taking out frozen fruit and adding chia to my yoghurt, getting bowls and cutlery on the table, filling the kettle
- Take out the breakfast dishes and cutlery, filling the kettle, make lunch for the following day
- Laundry - stick a load on overnight and hang out in the morning. If it is too noisy then pop clothing in the machine and turn it on in the morning. If this is something you will forget then add a sticky note on the kettle.

MORNINGS
Planned a meal for that evening? Get out of bed 5/10 minutes earlier and prep veg, take out spices and other items needed to cook that evenings recipe. You will be thankful when you come home tired.

Getting yourself organised this way does not have to be so rigid. but once you start it will turn into an easy habit.... A few minutes daily saving you valuable time when you are half asleep in the morning or when you are tired in the evening. The meal planning can be changed and rearranged but once in place it lightens your whole week!

Happy planning!

Liz - Inspire Your Place

Inspire Your Place - Blog

Inspire Your Place. Professional Organiser Malta. Spiritual Emotive Art.

My Secret Recipe

To Maximising Time

Personable | Professional | Perfection