I help overwhelmed moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Decluttering coach and the host of top 1% globally ranked podcast Moms Overcoming Overwhelm.
Time Management Strategies That WORK ⏰
Decluttering Tips and SupportDear Reader, It's almost October, which means that a special season is upon us. No, not Halloween (although my kids LOVE it and we have a skeleton hanging in our basement full-time!) No, not Christmas (please send the message to Costco that it's NOT EVEN OCTOBER YET!) For those of you who get excited about shiny new paper planners, it's about the time to start doing your research for your "perfect pick" for 2026. But if you're realizing that your 2025 planner is covered in dust...🫢 Or you downloaded YET another productivity app you never use...🫢 Take heart, because a planner is NOT the solution to your time management woes. On the PodcastIt's totally normal to buy a shiny new planner or download the latest app when we feel completely overwhelmed. However, according to Anna Dearmon Kornick — time management coach, author of Time Management Essentials, and host of the It’s About Time podcast - that's starting in the wrong place. “Good time management starts with getting crystal clear on what matters most to you,” Anna explained during our conversation. Instead of quick fixes, Anna encourages us to begin with our purpose, made up of our vision (what we want for the future) and our values (what matters most right now). Without this clarity, it’s easy to feel like we’re floundering - no planner or hack can fix that. Why Time Blocking WorksOne of Anna’s favorite tools is time blocking, which she calls part of her “Swiss army knife” of time management strategies. Unlike a to-do list, time blocking puts specific tasks on your calendar with a start and end time. This approach helps combat three common productivity pitfalls:
When you block time for important tasks, you set limits, protect your attention, and stop projects from dragging on indefinitely. Designing Your Ideal WeekInstead of striving for a “perfect day,” Anna recommends creating an Ideal Week — a visual template of how you’d love to spend your time. Start by placing your “boulders” on the calendar: sleep, self-care, family time, spiritual practices, and other non-negotiables that fill your cup. Then add in the rest. An Ideal Week serves as a compass, helping you compare your actual schedule with the life you want to create. Anna also encourages five essential routines that bring rhythm and order to each week:
Simple Weekly Planning (Even in Overwhelm)Weekly planning doesn’t need to be complicated. Anna suggests starting with a simple “reset” by looking back at the previous week:
These answers reveal opportunities to make small but powerful changes. From there, look at the week ahead, identify tough spots, coordinate with your partner or family, and prepare for challenges in advance. Even something as practical as checking the weather and setting out your kids’ clothes can smooth the week. To hear the full conversation, listen to Episode 209 on your favorite podcast app or watch on YouTube! Things I'm Loving Right Now✨ One of my favorite tools to keep me organized is my simplified weekly planning session I do on Sunday evenings. This has changed over the years, but as of right now includes: ✨ My decluttering/organizing resource of the week is the FREE From Paycheck to Prosperity Summit, hosted by former podcast guest and financial coach Brittany Flammer and coming up October 7-9. You can reserve your spot here! ✨ My favorite recipe of the week is this chia seed pudding recipe from Thinlicious - a great option for breakfast! What are some things you're loving right now? Hit reply and let me know. On the journey with you, Emily P.S. Skipped to the end? No problem! This week I spoke to time management expert Anna Dearmon Kornick about how to manage your time with purpose. |
Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed Moms Weekly Newsletter
I help overwhelmed moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Decluttering coach and the host of top 1% globally ranked podcast Moms Overcoming Overwhelm.
Decluttering Tips and Support Dear Reader, We are officially moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania this summer, and I have NEVER been more grateful for my clutter-free home. In order to get house "listing-ready" we've had to clear surfaces, relocate furniture, and maximize the space to entice potential buyers. Watch out! Don't open that closet! Since we don't have a garage, any excess stuff has been moved to part of our basement. As I moved Lego sets, bean bag chairs, bookshelves, and end...
Decluttering Tips and Support Dear Reader, Have you ever heard of the Great Stuff Transfer? It's when Boomer parents try to give their stuff (mostly furniture, housewares, heirlooms, etc.) to their children who either don't have the room for the items or don't want them. Perhaps you've experienced a variation of this, where you're given boxes of items from your childhood that your parents were holding onto for years. I was given all my report cards since kindergarten. :) It seems that while...
Decluttering Tips and Support Dear Reader, You can't take it anymore. The stuff is driving you CRAZY. You grab a trash bag and start rage decluttering. Nothing is safe. It HAS TO GO. That's what I call a clean sweep! 20 minutes in, and you finally feel like you're getting into a groove. Today you WILL take back your home!And then...."MOM! I need you!" Or the dog needs to go out. Or your phone starts pinging with a text message from work and you get distracted.And by the time you get back to...