Struggling to plan a daily schedule, start a morning routine, or figure out how to create a routine that works for your crazy schedule??? Creating routines for moms is always a challenge when you’re trying to balance “all the things,” but these tips to plan and make a better routine will help, even if you don’t know where to start!
How to Plan a Daily Schedule
To make a daily schedule and create a better daily routine, start by making a list of all your tasks.
Think of everything, including the little things, that you do on a daily basis. Are there any tasks that you only do on certain days? Make sure to list those, too!
Once you have a list of everything you need to accomplish, make a note of the amount of time that each task takes, like 30 minutes or an hour.
Then, prioritize each activity.
Starting with the most important, non-negotiable tasks, add each task into the time slots of your daily schedule, making sure that each task actually fits.
If possible, try to give yourself extra time for each task as you add it to your schedule.
If your tasks stay the same every day, feel free to use a time blocked daily schedule to make your routine.
However, if you have some tasks that you need to do only on certain days, create several versions of your daily routine.
Once your schedule is written, try it out for a few days and make sure it works for you.
After you’ve followed your routine for a few days, ask yourself these questions to make sure you’ve created your ideal routine:
- Is your routine realistic?
- Do you have enough time to complete each task?
- Does your routine make sense, or should you try the activities in a different order?
How to Create a Good Morning Routine
A solid day begins with a good morning routine.
To start your day off great, work backwards. What is your end time? What time do you need to leave the house, get the kids on the bus, or have hungry children fed and ready for the day?
Once you decide when you’ll end, make a list of all your tasks.
Think about everything you need to include in your morning routine. Then, add your ideal tasks, like exercise.
Write the amount of time each task takes next to the task, and then add it up (with some additional buffer time) to find your morning routine start time.
When your ideal morning routine is written, review it honestly.
- Is this a routine that makes you want to bounce out of bed in the morning?
- Are there unnecessary tasks or tasks that should be done at a different time?
- How could you improve this routine?
- Bottom line: is this routine reasonable???
For more tips to create your ideal morning routine, read these posts:
- How to Create A Morning Routine
- 3 Easy Steps to Create Your Ideal Morning Routine
- How to Make a Morning Routine for School
How Can I Make a Daily Routine for Myself
Setting aside kid-free time is a great way to get things done, work on your personal goals, and take some time for self-care.
Especially if your kids are little, it’s also a great time to get housework done.
To make a routine for yourself, make a list of the activities that are easier to do when no one is around. Include your ideal activities, like exercise, reading, crafting, or even studying.
Once your list is made, think about where those activities would fit into your existing schedule.
- Do you have time when the kids take naps?
- Do you wake up before the kids?
- Is there time after the kids go to bed?
When you have margin time, it helps to have a plan to make sure you’re using it intentionally.
For example, I used to time block my day, making a note of the kids’ nap times in the margin of my planner. That was my two-hour time block to clean the house, write, or run on the treadmill.
Every night, I would plan the next day and choose the tasks that needed to get done during the kids’ naps.
Think about how you currently use your margin time. Are there activities that you could stop doing or condense?
Daily Routine Examples
How to Stick to a Routine
Creating any new habit is hard, especially if you’re adding tasks to your new daily schedule that you just don’t want to do!
Once you’ve done your routine for a few days, reevaluate it.
Does your routine work for you?
- If not, which tasks aren’t working?
- Why?
If you have tasks in your routine that just aren’t getting done, consider doing them in a different order or at a different time.
Also, try adding rewards into your schedule and make activities more fun.
For example, if you’re struggling to clean the kitchen every night after dinner, listen to a podcast or an audiobook to make it more enticing.
Daily Routine Time Table Chart
To make your daily schedule, use this time table to make sure you’re giving yourself enough time for each task and that you’re doing the tasks in the order that makes the most sense.
Download the free printable daily routine worksheet!
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Prioritize your tasks, list the time it takes to complete each item, and choose a start and end time to make your schedule.
Also, use this chart to evaluate your routine and troubleshoot it if you’re having trouble sticking to your schedule.
As you evaluate your routine, make a note of your mood as you do each task. For example, do you dread exercising, or is it just getting ready to exercise that’s the hard part?
By planning a daily schedule, creating a solid morning routine that works for you (and your family), and figuring out how to make a routine that you can stick with, you’ll be so much more productive, even on days when the kids are home!