If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all there is to do (now, or any time of the year) here are 3 hints to help out.

1. Have a list. And know where it is. 

If you’re trying to remember it all without a list, that’s not a solid plan. If your list is on a napkin or twenty sticky notes, that is not a plan. And if your list is on a paper, but you keep losing the paper, that’s not a plan. Write/type a list and know where it is. 

2. Do something. Seriously.

I found myself re-writing my list, making it look nice, grouping tasks into categories. Then I realized in the time it took me to do all that, I could have done something more productive. Yes, it’s easy to put off doing stuff by re-writing your list; but a better option is to do something, then cross it off the list. 

3. Pencil in the fun! 

I want to watch a movie. I want to pop popcorn. I want to do fun things, but I wait until I get through my long to-do list. The problem is, I’ll never be done with my to-do list – so I’ll never get to the fun stuff. The solution: add fun stuff to the to-do list so you make it happen.

Bonus idea: I bet there are a lot of lists you are making that you could use again next year. Greeting card mailing lists, packing lists, shopping lists, menu lists, and more. Save the lists to use as checklists next year – maybe with your fall decor so you pull it out of storage when you need it. You’ll save yourself a lot of time!  

This season, I invite you to stop and recognize all you are getting done. It’s going to be okay, it all works out. Don’t push yourself or stress yourself out. You’re getting more accomplished than you are giving yourself credit for. You’re doing a GREAT job!