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 Support Dear 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, Not long ago, I found myself frustrated as I pulled weeds in our front yard. My frustration stemmed from two places: 1. I detest all yard work. I have the opposite of a green thumb (black thumb??) and while I can tidy a room with ease, I am exhausted by the thought of pulling weeds or trimming hedges. 2. I thought my husband would take care of the yard, and I was annoyed that I had to do it. 😂 Pat and I have a pretty good division of labor when it...
Decluttering Tips and Support Dear Reader, My youngest son Sean is one of those kids who is always asking, "WHY"? In fact, when he was younger we got him a shirt that said "Why? Why? Why?" because he asked it so much. Oftentimes, I have to bite my tongue from saying the phrase I promised I'd never say as a parent: A phrase repeated by parents for generations...Because I said so! I always figured that Sean's repeated questioning when asked to do something reflected disrespect. Why couldn't he...
Decluttering Tips and Support Dear Reader, Do you feel exhausted and drained? Do you find it hard to focus when you're at home? Are you surviving on caffeine and a prayer that things will get better? Putting your hope in coffee MAY not be sustainable...just sayin'! It may be that your cluttered home is zapping your energy and focus! Perhaps you can't find what you're looking for - keys, phones, permission slips, etc. We spend 2.5 days a YEAR looking for this stuff! That's a whole lot of time...