As a mom, we have what I like to refer to as the never-ending-gotta-do-list. It’s that ongoing list of things that no one can accomplish besides Mom nor as well as Mom.There’s a constant juggling show going on with all of the things we need to get done in a day, it’s amazing we ever get any sleep especially while the kids are young.

Do you have a real to-do list? I mean and real live, hold in your hand, show someone else, making you accountable for your wishes and wants and actions… kind of list. If not, let’s start there, you need one. It’s not painful nor time consuming. Grab a pen and a piece of paper and at the top write “make a to-do list”. Voila, you now have a to-do list to work with.

The best time management is built on the foundation of a good, consistent task list. Every single day something comes up or happens or interrupts the day so the intended to-do list becomes altered. That’s ok. You’re allowed, and should include, the wiggle room for your scheduling. The key is to have a plan, be flexible to adjust the plan and have an end goal so there is a point to the plan.

Here are 5 tips to help you work more effectively with your tight schedule

1. Have a real, written down to-do list. Either on the computer or on a pad of paper, keep an ongoing list of all your to-dos. There is no right nor wrong way to organize or categorize, the most important thing is to have a list you can refer to.

2. Schedule tasks that don’t have due dates. It’s easy to get the deadline oriented tasks completed because they have real due dates. However, open ended tasks tend to be pushed down and moved around or just outright forgotten if you don’t include a hypothetical “must get done” date.

3. Label yourself as a priority. Often times our own needs and tasks get set aside for others’ tasks. Most of us will schedule in phone calls and emails because we know we need to keep in touch, yet other self focused tasks like organizing our own personal stuff or getting involved in groups or activities that ony benefit Mom get completely pushed aside. We need to remember, if we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we effectively take care of our family.

4. Allow for breaks. Even the best time management gurus and their industrial strength work stamina have to stop and breath now and again. Make sure you include in your task list things that require you to stop and rest, look around and enjoy the moment. If you need to make sure you allow yourself these moments, write them down on your list as well.

5. Consolidate tasks. Before jumping head first into your to-do-list, take a look and combine tasks that are related, could be done at the same time or might compliment eachother. Taking someone to football practice and making a couple phone calls while you wait is one example. Answer emails while lunch is in the microwave, the laundry dries and a file downloads is another.

Don’t let the time get away from you. Make your time work for you.

In a recent article on Time-Saving Tips for Too-Busy Moms, Ellen S. of the blog, “Love That Max”, reached out to other bloggers, life coaches and other experts for time saving ideas. The result was an entertaining and helpful list of time saving ideas that anyone can use.

My two favorites were all about delegating, something that I really wish I had more resources to take advantage of.

Ellen S. writes:

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Delegate tasks you don’t like, or aren’t especially good at. [Note from me: Would anyone like to do my laundry? I’m not very good at it. Come to think of it, I’m also not very good at cleaning the floors. Or doing any kind of housework. Would anyone mind if I delegated all of my housework to you?]

She follows it with:

Focus on what’s most important to you. Lower your expectations for tasks/activities that aren’t top priorities. [If nobody is willing to let me delegate my housework to them, then I will just have to lower my expectations and not clean my house for the rest of the year and not care if my kids have cooties.]

That second one both made me snort aloud, and really hit home with me. After our basement remodel was trashed by leaky windows for the third time this spring, we permanently moved our family room back upstairs. This meant we pretty much lost two rooms: our dining room, which is now the living room, and our family room, which is now just an empty basement with torn up carpet and issues that still need resolving. Now everything that was in those two rooms is still all over the rest of the house. We have a serious clutter issue. I find I just can’t keep on top of it.

Now that my son is two, and getting more and more independent, the disaster that is my house has been making me crazy. I need to get things under control so that he can run amok and be free. But I’m not ready to let him run wild yet in the house. Well, he’s still not ready yet either. But Ellen’s post (and the funny cootie comment) reminds me that I need to let some of that go. It will work out. One step at a time.

Go check out the article Time Saving Tips for Too-Busy Moms to read the rest of the great time-saving ideas Ellen collected.

Yesterday, Zazzle.com announced the addition of Customizable Photo Cards to their product list.

Zazzle’s a print on demand company, and I sell many of my designs and art through them. You can both shop their marketplace for t-shirts and other gift ideas, or open a free shop to make your own products to sell.

You don’t need to be an artist to make your own photo cards. Zazzle’s community of shopkeeper/designers already had uploaded ready-to-customize photo cards on every subject imaginable, including Christmas, weddings, birthdays, birth announcements and more. You just browse their marketplace, find a design you like, and upload your own photo.

But if you’re an artist, or super creative, you might want to design your own cards to send out this holiday season, or even to sell yourself! Here are a few I’ve already designed in my stores:

Silly Turkey by karyn_lewis

Cartoon Santa Christmas by karyn_lewis

Santa Alien Christmas Holiday by karyn_lewis

Little Wedding Cake Save the Date by Koncepts Bridal

It’s A Girl! Baby Birth Announcements by konceptskids

To get started:

Shop Customizable Photo Cards
Create your own Photo Cards