With September right around the corner, it’s a good time to start thinking about falling back into a routine, if you haven’t already. Implement these tips so you can build a structured schedule for the season ahead that’s sure to boost productivity—along with an organizational craft to help simplify your day!

Crafting a Routine That Works for You

Everybody’s day-to-day looks different, but there’s something most people can agree on: structure is key to success. Whether you need to get your kids into learning mode or you need more guidance on forming a better routine, start by applying some of these tips.

organizer

Make a list of what needs to get done:

If you want to get back into the swing of things after the mellow days of summer, prioritizing tasks will put you on the right path. Think of daily household chores, like loading and emptying the dishwasher, and other tasks you deem essential, such as exercising, replying to important emails, and tidying up around the house. Once you understand the non-negotiables that absolutely must get done every day, you can move on to making notes of weekly and monthly tasks. Consider buying a whiteboard calendar and color-coding tasks so you have something easy to reference that will hold you accountable.

Plan out a schedule:

Part of adjusting to a daily routine is scheduling out what needs to be completed. Something like making the bed, for example, would be prioritized in the morning, but scheduling time for exercise is more ambiguous. If you know your workday is packed with meetings and deadlines, schedule a workout for early in the morning or that evening. Not every day will look the same, and that’s OK. Things that can be controlled, such as striving to wake up at the same time every morning, eating meals at consistent times, and only watching TV at night, should be controlled.

Questions to ask when making a schedule for yourself:
-What errands do I need to run?
-Are there areas in the house that need tidying?
-What needs to get done before work?
-What can I save for after work?
-When do I have time for exercising?

Questions to ask when making a schedule for your kids:
-What homework and projects need to be completed? What quizzes and tests are coming up?
-What energy-boosting meals and snacks can I prepare?
-What arts and crafts can we work on this week to limit screen time?
-What time are we sitting down for dinner?

family-kitchen

Include ways to better yourself:

Sure, establishing a routine will include things that need to get done, but it should also make room for items that put you first and aim to improve your overall well-being. Here are easy ways to do this.

Research indicates that gratitude makes you feel happier, so each morning, write down five things you’re grateful for. After all, who doesn’t want to start the day feeling happy?

Regularly recite affirmations out loud. This is a powerful way to visualize what success looks like to you—whether it’s for that day or for the whole year. It’s easy to think about what you want your life to look like, but by saying these thoughts out loud, you really start to believe them. Examples may include “Today, I choose to be confident and happy,” or “I have what it takes to be successful in my career.” Try it and see for yourself!

Eat a nutritious breakfast. If you’re in the camp of people that reaches for a cup of coffee right away and skips breakfast entirely, you may want to rethink that habit. Breakfast can help fuel you for the day ahead, manage a healthy weight, and control blood sugar levels. Start your day off right with a bowl of oatmeal, a whole grain bagel, or a fresh fruit smoothie.

woman-list

Upcycled Drawer Organizer

Keeping your things organized is a huge help when it comes to sticking to a routine, so you’re not frantically rummaging for papers, pens, or Post-it Notes throughout the day. This craft makes use of boxes you might otherwise throw away, like cereal boxes or granola bar boxes, in order to make sure supplies stay in their rightful place.

Materials:

Empty food boxes (cereal, granola bar, etc.)
Utility knife
Decorative paper
Double-sided tape

1. Place the box vertically inside your drawer to make sure it’s a good fit. If you have more than one empty box on hand, you can create more than one organizer to make an entire organizational system for the drawer.
2. Mark the height of the drawer on the box. Using the utility knife, carefully cut off the face of the box, leaving the four sides.
3. Cover the bottom and inside of the box with decorative paper and secure with tape, being sure to trim any excess paper from around the edges.
4. Wrap the outside of the box with matching paper and secure with tape, trimming any excess, if needed.

Establishing a well-thought-out routine may seem intimidating, but all it takes is breaking down what you’ve already been doing and categorizing these tasks into a clear schedule, therefore helping you create room for more things you enjoy.

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