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7 Steps on How to Plan a Baby Shower (Successfully!)

Jun 17, 2021 by Lynelle 1 Comment

Yay, your loved one is having a baby! And right now, you have mixed feelings. While you are excited because the baby’s due date keeps getting closer and closer, you are worried about trying to figure out how to plan a baby shower.

That’s understandable!

Planning a baby shower on top of your regular responsibilities may be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. The 7 essential steps that I discuss below will help you know what needs to be done and when. Plus, these steps can be applied to any type of baby shower.

Sounds good? Let’s start then…

7 Essential Steps on How to Plan a Baby Shower (Successfully!)

Steps to Plan a Baby Shower

Normally, baby showers are planned for parents that are having their first baby while sprinkles {smaller baby showers} are used for parents that already have kids.

But nowadays, baby showers have been planned based on the situation, too. For example, a couple that already has a girl but is now having a boy, or vice versa. Or when there’s a big age gap between the kids {like it’s the case with my daughters}.

While working on these steps, keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers. The decisions should be based on the situation and the new parents’ tastes and personalities.

Table Of Contents
  1. Steps to Plan a Baby Shower
  2. Step 1 – Set a Budget
  3. Step 2 – Create a Guest List
  4. Step 3 – Choose Location, Date, and Time
  5. Step 4 – Theme for Baby Shower Decorations
  6. Step 5 – Invitations
  7. Step 6 – Food and Drinks
  8. Step 7 – Create Lasting Memories
  9. Bonus steps to plan a baby shower
  10. Final Thoughts on How to Plan a Baby Shower

Step 1 – Set a Budget

To plan a baby shower, you have to start with the most important step, setting a budget. This is because the rest of the steps will depend on the total dollar amount set up during this step.

When setting up the budget, you first need to think about the type of baby shower that you want to throw.  What will make the most sense? Formal or informal? Fancy or something simpler? It all depends on what you have in mind.

After picturing the perfect baby shower, come up with an estimated amount to spend on the baby shower.  Remember, each baby shower is different which means that each amount will vary. Things such as the type of baby shower and/or location may change your total costs dramatically. That being said, you need to come up with an amount that you feel comfortable with and that is reasonable.

Next, who will be responsible for the estimated amount you just calculated? If it’s you, then you are ready for step #2.

But, if you are working on a tight budget, you may want to look into other options like reaching out to other people for help. It is completely okay to do so. At one of my baby showers, the host paid for the main food while other guests paid for other expenses such as cake, drinks, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils. People love to help so don’t be afraid to ask.

Keep in mind that like any other budget, your total amount is an estimate of costs to help you reach your goal. In this case, your goal is to plan the perfect baby shower in your mind.

Step 2 – Create a Guest List

After setting up the budget, it will be easier for you to determine the number of guests to invite.

Who should you invite? Well, it all depends because there are two common approaches. The traditional baby shower where only women are invited or the co-ed baby shower where both women and men are equally invited. I have always preferred the co-ed option but that’s just me.

In recent years, other options have increased in popularity like the man shower, the grandma shower, and the girl’s night out. But in this post, I will only focus on the two most common baby showers mentioned.

Think, who would the new parents love to see at their baby shower? At this point, just write the names that are coming to your mind. Don’t worry so much about creating a final guest list because your guest list will most likely change throughout the process.

While working on the guest list, don’t forget to include those that are out of town or even out of state.

Unless you are planning a surprise baby shower, it is always a good idea to review your guest list with the parent(s) to be.

I remember a time when my baby shower host and I went over the guest list. I was glad we did it because we eliminated some of the names and added other people with whom I had stronger relationships.

Step 3 – Choose Location, Date, and Time

Choose the location

So far you have a perfect baby shower in mind, you have set a budget, and you have created a guest list. Now, it’s time to choose the location!

Start narrowing down your options by choosing between an indoor or outdoor location. Take into consideration the baby’s due date and the weather since baby showers are normally given a few weeks before the baby’s due date.

It’s also important to think of the options for that type of location. For example, if you choose an indoor location, then some of your options could be a favorite restaurant, fancy hotel, or a cozy home.

On the other hand, if you choose an outdoor location, then you may consider a big park, fun pool or a beautiful garden.

Set the Date

People tend to plan a baby shower four to six weeks before the baby’s due date. Four weeks and six weeks may sound about the same time. But, two weeks can make a difference, especially if you chose an outdoor location. Also remember, the baby’s due date is just an estimate which means that he/she can be born earlier! 😱

Be sure to choose three possible dates for the baby shower, in case that the parents to be are not available on your first or even second option.

Also, consider the day of the week. For my last baby shower, it made more sense to do it on a weekday since all the guests were from work. But if you are planning a baby shower with family and friends, then it may be better to do it on a weekend when the majority are off of work.

Choose the best time

Baby showers normally last between 2 to 4 hours but it all depends on the baby shower. In my case, we couldn’t be away from our work areas for too long {even when I was working in Human Resources} so it was done during our regular lunch hour.

Also, when you calculate the length of the baby shower, set some time to:

  • Chat – People want to talk to each other especially those coming from out of town
  • Eat – Set aside some time for people to eat, too. If you don’t have much time left, you can always combine activities like eating while the honoree is opening the gifts.
  • Open the baby shower gifts – An important part of the baby shower is the excitement when the new parents are opening the gifts. Therefore, setting a good amount of time for this is highly recommended.

What about holidays?

To me, planning a baby shower around a holiday can be good or bad. The disadvantage is that people normally go out of town especially for holidays like Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 

But if that won’t be a problem for your guests, then you can get very creative while combining the holiday celebration with your baby shower theme.

Lastly, think about the season. For example, I can plan a beautiful baby shower at noon in the park here in Texas. However, the weather will be completely different if it is planned in July than if it is planned at the same time in November.

7 Essential Steps on How to Plan a Baby Shower (Successfully!)

Step 4 – Theme for Baby Shower Decorations

If you already know the baby’s nursery decoration, then you are way ahead of this step because that’s exactly what you can use to decorate the baby shower. That’s what the host did for my last baby shower and I absolutely loved it!

If you haven’t heard about the baby’s room decoration, bring up that topic in your next conversation. And, if nothing has been decided yet, don’t worry…just keep reading.

There are three quick ways to choose a baby shower theme:

  • The first one is to choose a theme based on the personalities of the parents-to-be. Think of something they like or collect. It could be Star Wars, zebras, or their favorite sports team.
  • Another way is to go with a popular theme such as nautical, princesses, cars, or baby animals.
  • The last option is to choose a general topic such as the tropical beach, garden, or sports.

Step 5 – Invitations

Sending invitations is up to you and the type of baby shower.  Using my last baby shower as an example, the host didn’t send out invitations. Instead, she used technology in her favor and sent out emails. It worked perfectly because it was an informal baby shower conducted at the company’s training room with co-workers as guests.

I suggest sending out invitations when you plan a baby shower with many guests or when the guests are coming from different places (e.g. different workplaces, cities, states)

The practice is to send out the invitations around 4 to 6 weeks in advance which gives the guests enough time to save the date and to make arrangements especially for those coming out of town or for those needing to hire a babysitter.

Before sending the invitations, revise your guest list one last time. Just to be sure that important guests were not left out. Then, find invitations that match the baby shower theme or are at least close enough.

Now, that you are ready to work on the invitations don’t forget to:

  • include the baby shower date, starting and ending time plus the location
  • add your contact information and ask people to RSVP
  • share the baby shower theme and baby registry information, if available

Additional tip: While shopping for the invitations, keep an eye open for any thank you notes that match the invitations. The mom-to-be will love them.

Step 6 – Food and Drinks

To determine the food and drinks, it’s important that you think of the information already gathered especially the budget, location, and time.

As I mentioned earlier about my last baby shower, it was done during lunchtime so the full meal was provided but it’s also common to see appetizers, finger food, and cake (or cupcakes for the new trend).

Keep in mind that having a potluck is an alternative too. Hosts coordinated a potluck for three of my baby showers and it worked great because we had a wider variety of food to choose from.

Step 7 – Create Lasting Memories

You can’t plan a baby shower without thinking of the lasting memories for the parents-to-be.

Even though for any new parent their baby showers are unforgettable, it’s important for them to have memories to share years to come with family members, friends, and even with the kids when they get older.

A professional photographer, videographer, or both can always be hired but don’t feel obligated in doing so. Because if you plan a baby shower on a budget, it’s okay to look for other options.

By asking around, you can probably find a friend or family member that can help you with it. I asked a couple of my coworkers to take pictures to make sure that I would have enough for my album.

Additional tip: After the baby shower, you can put a photo album together and give it to the new parents as a memory. I have created quick and cute photo albums with Shutterfly (affiliate link).

Bonus steps to plan a baby shower

I didn’t include the following as part of the essential steps since they are optional but they are still frequently included on the baby showers:

Baby Shower Games

If you want to entertain your guests with some games, consider the following factors:

  • Time – Calculate the time that you have left after all your scheduled activities. In this way, you won’t waste your time planning all these games when you are already out of time.
  • Location – Playing games inside a restaurant may be difficult due to lack of space but it can also be a challenge to play bingo in a windy park.
  • Guests – Look for games that everybody can play at the same time and/or together. And don’t forget to choose games that are appropriate for all your guests.

Baby Shower Party Favors

This is your opportunity to be creative. You can either buy party favors or make them yourself. Just keep in mind the baby shower theme and come up with something cute, funny, or unique.

Final Thoughts on How to Plan a Baby Shower

After going through the essential steps, you should have a better idea of how to plan a baby shower for your loved one.

Most importantly, having a plan in hand makes you feel less overwhelmed, focus on what needs to be done, and save money.

Keep in mind that in this post I am only focusing on the essential steps but, you can add more things including music.

The budget is the limit! 😊

Alright, it’s time for you to start planning. Don’t forget to download the free baby shower printables.

Liked this post?  Pin it for later and Share it with friends! 

7 Essential Steps on How to Plan a Baby Shower (Successfully!)

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, New Moms, Parenting, Productivity, Time Management

How to Use Multiple Planners (as a Busy Mom)

Jun 4, 2021 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

At first, I didn’t understand the reason for using multiple planners. It sounds a little bit crazy and even overwhelming. However, do not let that stop you. After reading all that I am sharing, you will understand exactly how to use multiple planners.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure for more info.

Table Of Contents
  1. What to use multiple planners for?
  2. How should I start using two or more planners?
  3. How to organize multiple planners?
  4. 3 Additional tips to organize your multiple planners
  5. How do I use multiple Happy Planners?
  6. Conclusion

What to use multiple planners for?

Using multiple planners can be the solution when one planner is no longer helping you manage your life. 

The benefit of using more than one planner is that it gives you space to manage and focus on each topic in-depth. 

Some of the things that you can track are:

  • home 
  • reading
  • family
  • meal planning
  • work
  • health
  • school
  • fitness
  • goals
  • cleaning

Plus, anything else that is important to you.

For a while, this planning design helped me tremendously but I was still not happy. 

Some of the planner categories would fit perfectly while others such as kids and home management would take more space. Because of that, some details were illegible or completely left out. 

That wasn’t helpful. 

The idea of using multiple planners is to combine different planners to create the best planner for you. In other words, you are using two or more planners without carrying all the planners at once. This system is frequently achieved by using a discbound planner. 

Discbound planners are great because they allow you to add, remove, and/or rearrange pages at any time. This makes it easier to customize your planner, as well as write at the bottom or corner of the pages.

In addition to the discbounds, you can use binders, a few individual planners, or a combination of both. I mostly use discbounds because it is a lot easier to make changes to the planner without having to buy everything again. You can also make your planner bigger or smaller just by switching the discs.

Using a multiple-planner system allows you to create different sections within your planner. Then, each section can be used to track an area of your life. Something that I will show you shortly.

How should I start using two or more planners

How should I start using two or more planners?

The easiest way to start a multiple-planner system is by using an extra planner that you already have but have not used yet. At this point, it doesn’t matter if it is expired. You can still customize it to make it work for you.

Step #1 – Identify the sections to track

The purpose of a planner is to help you manage your life. Identify which areas of your life you want to track and monitor closely. 

Now, make a list of those areas to include in your planner. If you are not sure where to start, use your current planner as a reference. That’s the fastest way to see what you are currently focusing on. Make sure to add any other category that you would like to start tracking to your list too.

Then, look at each category and decide if it is big enough to track it by itself or if you need to combine it with others. 

For example, let’s say that you want to track the following categories: 

  • Family
  • Work
  • School
  • Cleaning
  • Cooking

After comparing the categories between each other, you may determine that “family” is a big category. Let’s say that under it, you want to track:

  • school events for each of your kids
  • extracurricular activities
  • family activities 
  • vacation plans
  • play dates
  • parties

In this case, you may want to keep the family category by itself. But then, you could combine the “cleaning” and “cooking” categories since they are both related to “Home”.

Look at your list and decide which categories can be combined and which ones need their own section. Try keeping your final categories broad enough to avoid changing them regularly. I would name them something like home, work, and school.

Step #2 – Determine how to track the information

In the previous step, you created a list of sections to add to your planner. Now, you need to visualize the best way to organize the information within each section. 

You have your sections and the categories to be included in each section. The next step is to decide what information or details you want to track under each category. 

Let’s say that you came up with the following list to track under your Family section:

  • Kid # 1’s school and extracurricular activities 
  • Kid # 2’s  school and extracurricular activities 
  • Kid # 3’s school and extracurricular activities 
  • Meal planning
  • Cleaning schedule
  • Appointments 

Think of what type of layout would make sense for your section. Do you need columns and rows, space to write notes, lists, or different mini sections within the page?

I like to grab a piece of paper and kind of sketch the best way to organize the information. 

Continuing with the example above, I would prefer to have columns and rows (table style) to keep the sub-categories separated.

Having a clear picture increases the chances for your planner to be functional. 

Step #3 – Get the extra planner

As I suggested earlier, if you have an extra planner around the house, use that one. 

The reason is that as soon as you start using the multiple-planners system, you will be able to see what works and doesn’t work. 

I purposely left buying a planner as the last step.

There are so many planners available out there that many people make the mistake of buying a 

planner based on how cute it looks first. You need to focus on your needs first (steps 1 and 2) and then, choose a pretty planner. 

Knowing your sections and the information needed within each section, help you choose the best layout to match your needs.

The most common planner layouts are:

  • weekly vertical
  • weekly horizontal
  • daily 1 or 2-page
  • monthly

In addition to that, you may have more options within each layout. For example, the weekly vertical layout may have additional options such as hourly, lined, boxes, and blocks.

Even if they are the same layout, a specific option may work better for you than the others. Most of my planners are weekly layouts but have the “blocks” design because they are perfect for my home and personal sections. 

I will let you know how I use and organize my planners to give you an idea of what you can do.

There's a way to organize your planner when you are using more than one.

How to organize multiple planners?

At this point, you should know how many sections you need inside your planner. Now, organize them in a way that makes sense for you including the order of the sections and their ease of access.

There are different ways to organize multiple planners. You can choose one method or a combination of them as I do:

One main planner

The purpose is to keep most, if not all, of your planners in one main planner. Of course, the fewer planners you have, the easier it will be to do so. 

As you can imagine, putting several planners together will make your planner way too big and even difficult to use. Instead, you can “build your main planner” by only adding the current month pages from each planner. 

In other words, your planners for the sections will feed your main planner. At the end of each month, you switch the pages for the new month.

For example, if today is April 30, you remove from your main planner all the pages for April and put them back to their original planner. Then, get the pages for May from all the planners and place them in your main planner. Now, you have your planner ready for May!

In my case, I like to keep two months for every section in my planner. Adding the following month allows me to start planning for that month without delay. You can do the same or just keep a notes page where you can write the information for upcoming months (e.g. future appointments) and add them later on.

Two different planners

Instead of having one main planner as mentioned above, you can separate your sections into two different groups. 

For example, you could have a personal planner that includes sections like family, school, gratitude, wellness, and appointments. Plus, a home management planner for things like groceries, meal planning, cleaning, bills, and projects. 

Then, consider either carrying both planners or keeping the home management planner at home.  

Use single planners

As I mentioned before, you have the option of using each planner individually (single) instead of combining them into one main planner.

It is easier to handle different planners when they are combined into one or two main planners.

However, there are several reasons for adding single planners to your multiple-planner system.

Reason #1: Preference

You may want to keep using a planner that has worked for you.

I have an hourly planner that I keep separate from my main planner. I use that planner to plan my days and stay on top of things. It is easier for me to create the “daily plan” there while reviewing each section. 

After all, it is better to continue using a planner that has already helped you than pushing yourself into a new one just because.

Reason #2: Not used often

It’s normal to access some sections more often than others. Because of that, you can use a single planner for a section that is still important but that you do not check frequently.

For example, I have a single planner to track the bills. I usually access it either once or twice per month. To me, it does not make sense to carry those extra pages around. Instead, it stays on my desk until I need it to pay the bills or as a reference. 

Reason #3: Easier to carry

You can use as many single planners as you prefer. However, I do not suggest having too many if you are carrying all of them around.

As I mentioned earlier, I use an hourly planner to plan my days. It is like a summary of all the planners and tells me when I have to be doing what. 

You can have that planner too without carrying the combined planners as I do. The plus side is that it is easier to carry around. On the other hand, this means not having the specific details from other planners handy.

3 Additional tips to organize your multiple planners

At first, it may seem challenging to organize the pages from multiple planners. I tried different things and here are my suggestions:

Put your sections in order

Organize the sections based on how often you would access them. Save yourself some time by putting the sections that you use most often in the front.

Use planner covers as dividers

Many planners come with cute covers that you can add at the beginning of each section. It makes it easier to see where each section starts and ends. You can also get extra covers if you prefer.

Add dashboards

Place a planner dashboard in each section. If placed correctly, a dashboard takes you straight to the correct page. It is like having a bookmark for each section. Also, dashboards usually have tabs at the top. You can create labels to find your sections faster.

Bonus Tip

A multiple-planner system adds more pages to your planner. That’s something to keep in mind when choosing the discs. Because there are many cute discs available, but the metal expander discs are the best to hold those extra pages.

Multiple planners can help moms with their bus life.

How do I use multiple Happy Planners?

Having different planners sounds crazy but it has helped me keep things a lot more organized. I decided to switch to a multiple-planner system after adjusting a daily lined planner many times. Having a plain planner gave me the flexibility of adjusting the layout based on my needs. It worked for a while until it just was not helpful anymore. 

That’s when I decided to add more planners! 

I am currently using four separate happy planners: 

School planner

The teacher’s edition planner is perfect for virtual learning or homeschooling. That is how I track my daughter’s lessons, daily work, and events.

I absolutely love it and it has been super helpful.

Its block design makes it easier to organize the planner by subject and there is still room to add additional information.

Bills planner

It is a great solution to avoid paying your bills late. I tried a regular notebook and a journal specifically for money management, but keeping a discbound planner is what has worked perfectly.

It has a monthly layout and pocket folders where I place the bills after receiving them. (Note: There are also these pages and this planner with extra space for income, expenses, and more).

The only thing that I would change is the size. It is not a big deal but I would prefer a big planner where I can add the bill right to the month (without folding them), instead of putting the envelopes inside the pocket folders. 

Since it is a discbound, I easily added trackers and customized lists with this paper punch.

Hourly planner

The hourly planner is perfect for time blocking. It works similar to an appointment book at the doctor’s office where they block time to see each patient.

The purpose is to do the same by blocking time to complete what is important. There are hourly pages that you can add too. But, it is easier for me to do it on a separate hourly planner.

Main planner

My main planner is a combination of multiple planners that includes the following sections:

  • Home management (blocks layout) – 

It is a mix of family and home. It includes my kids’ school activities, appointments and events, cleaning, decluttering tasks, and any other home-related task. 

  • Personal (blocks layout) –

This is like a wellness planner where I track my food intake, total steps, vitamins, and the number of water bottles I drank. I also have space for daily gratitude and health. 

  • Income (dashboard layout) – 

This is the same as the work category. It’s just that income sounds more motivating 🙂 Basically, it has the daily tasks related to the blog and shop. 

  • Social Media (vertical layout) –

This section is there to help me solve several problems. 

I want to plan out content better, keep the information more organized (so I can refer to it later), and be more consistent with my posts. 

After following the steps discussed earlier, I chose the vertical layout.

  • Reading (horizontal layout)

I love reading non-fiction books and taking notes. And, the horizontal layout gives you more space to keep your summaries. But, sometimes I use the vertical too. 

This is the only planner that I do not use to plan. Therefore, I cover the dates because I am only focused on personal growth and reading more books per year.

I like keeping it in my main planner because I can keep reading in the car while waiting to pick up my kids or for a store to open.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to use multiple planners to organize your life, it’s time to put everything into practice. 

The action steps below give you a quick summary of what was covered in this article. Use it as a reference or as a guideline to stay on track.

Action steps

  • Lists the categories that you want to track in your planner
  • Review your list and see if it makes sense to combine some of the categories
  • Make a final decision on the sections to include in your planner
  • Specify what to track under each section
  • Visualize how each section would be organized
  • Decide which planner layout is best for each of your sections
  • Put your planner together!
multiple planners for busy moms

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Productivity, Time Management

15 Colorful Summer Planner Stickers (and a few extras!)

Jun 19, 2020 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

It’s time to decorate our planner with cute, colorful, and free summer planner stickers!

When I think of summer, I immediately think of tropical, beaches, and nautical. This list includes free printable planner stickers for each of these topics and all you have to do is click on the links, print the planner stickers, and decorate your planner.

Here is the list of summer planner printables…

free summer printable planner stickers

Summer Planner Stickers: Tropical

1. Tropical Leaves

2. Paradise Freebie

3. Tropical Summer – Scroll down to find the freebie

4. Colorful Tropical Printable

5.  Paradise

 

Summer Printable Planner Stickers: Beach

6. Beachy Summer Printable

7. Beach

8. Aloha Beaches

9. Summer Beach –  click on the “Download” drop-down menu and choose “Direct download” or “Save to my Dropbox”

10. Beach or Bust

 

Quick note: If you are looking for a planner, I have been using the inkWell planner and I love it! You can click on the image below to get $10 off through my affiliate link.
inkwell planner

Summer Stickers: Nautical

11. Weekly Nautical

12. Nautical Planner Stickers – Click on the “Download” drop-down menu and choose “Direct download” or “Save to my Dropbox”.

13. Don’t Sink My Ship – While there, check out for a second one called Nautical Theme. Make sure to scroll down to find both freebies:

14. Nautical Freebie  – Scroll down and click on the link for “Nautical Freebie”. Then, click on the “Download” drop-down menu and choose “Direct download” or “Save to my Dropbox”

15. Nautical Printable – In this case, you also need to scroll down to find this nautical freebie

 

Bonus: More summer planner stickers!

  • Tropical Kit
  • Summer Themed Stickers
  • Summertime Planner Stickers

 

Check out the following related posts:

  • 130 free printable planner stickers (pdf included)
  • Planner decorating for beginners: Cute and Functional
  • 5 Common Productivity Killers for Busy Moms (free guide)

Have fun decorating your planner! 😊

 

SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

FREE Summer Printable Stickers

Filed Under: Blog, Productivity, Time Management

Planner Decorating for Beginners: Do it the Right Way

Mar 14, 2020 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

If you are not intentionally decorating your planner, you are doing it wrong. Planner decorating has become very popular during the last years, and its popularity keeps increasing over time.

But with so many beautiful stickers, washi tapes, and printables available, you have to be intentional when decorating your planner. After all, you want your planner to be cute, organized, and functional.

Here are the topics that I will cover:

  • Choose the right planner for you
  • The best layout for planner decorating
  • Why would you decorate the planner?
  • Be intentional with the decoration
  • The materials needed to decorate your planner
  • Get $10 off your purchase of your new planner (discount for you!)
  • Where to get pretty printables for planners
  • Planner Ideas: How to decorate your planner
  • It’s time to decorate your planner (+5 ideas)
  • Pin it for later

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info. 

Use planner decorating the right way to be more organized and productive. It is more than just adding planner stickers. You need to be intentional. Learn how to decorate your planner to make it cute and functional. Create productivity sections, know what materials to use, and learn about the best planner I have used. #planner #moms #momlife

Choose the right planner for you: InkWell Press Planner

First, you need a good a planner that works for you.

I am a firm believer of planners because they are like your personal assistant that keeps everything from falling apart. I have tried many planners in the past with different sizes, layout, and styles. They were okay, but I have never been happier than with my current planner.

I chose the InkWell Press planner because it is more than a planner.  It not only keeps your to-do lists, but it also helps you create your monthly goal, plan, and focus, in addition of tracking your habits, planning your week, and having plenty of space for notes. On top of that, you have access to helpful videos, free downloads, and podcast episodes that I absolutely enjoy and learn a ton.

Now, let’s talk about the ideal layout. 

 

The best layout for planner decorating

Use planner decorating the right way to be more organized and productive. It is more than just adding planner stickers. You need to be intentional. Learn how to decorate your planner to make it cute and functional. Create productivity sections, know what materials to use, and learn about the best planner I have used. #planner #moms #momlife

No layer is better than another when it comes to planner decorating. You can create gorgeous pages with either one. What is important is to focus on a layout that works for you first. Then, decorate based on that layout.

Most of the planners that I used had a horizontal layout. But this time, I purposely chose the classic edition because of its vertical layout, since it matched better with my personality. And I am so glad I changed!

This vertical planner layout is:

  • easier to look at and picture your whole week at once
  • better to see repetitive tasks throughout the week
  • more organized, and as a result: better to plan and schedule additional tasks or activities

Another thing that I love about my planner, is the great amount of blank space on the weekly pages. All that space helps me to easily track different areas of my life on a regular basis. It also makes planner decorating easier since the planner can be customized in a way where I can be even more productive.

Quick Tip: if the vertical layout is sold out at the InkWell store, then try this store instead. I absolutely love this planner! Plus, I get to decorate it in a way that I can be more organized and productive. #planners #moms #momlife

Why would you decorate the planner?

In my case, the purpose of decorating the planner is to be more productive, take a break, and regain energy.

Planner decorating gives me the opportunity to customize the planner in a way that works even better for me. I can create specific areas for different types of tasks. Having a plan, knowing what to do, and being organized, increases the productivity level.

Not sure if it’s just me, but planner decorating relaxes me. It could be the creativity part involved or the fact that I rarely take a break, but that’s something I enjoy doing. When I see the end results.

Getting my weeks all decorated and customized helps me regain energy.  Because when I open the planner every Monday it is like tricking my brain to a fresh start with the new decoration.

One additional tip before moving on to the next section. It might get too overwhelming to decorate your planner every week. It’s better to set aside some time when you can decorate several weeks or even months at a time.

If you need to add an event to a week that has not been decorated yet, just add a post-it note to that week with all the information about the event. That way, you won’t forget to add it to your schedule later. 

 

Be intentional with the decoration

Use planner decorating the right way to be more organized and productive. It is more than just adding planner stickers. You need to be intentional. Learn how to decorate your planner to make it cute and functional. Create productivity sections, know what materials to use, and learn about the best planner I have used. #planner #moms #momlife

You probably bought your planner to stay on top of things, increase productivity, or be more organized.

But, why decorate your planner?

It’s okay to make your planner look pretty and to make it your own. But, don’t forget to keep your planner functional. There are so many beautiful stickers for planners out there, that it wouldn’t be hard to find yourself adding extra stickers to the pages.

The classic InkWell Press planner is already great in the way it comes. Each day gives enough space to create a long to-do list for all the tasks to complete. It also has three boxes at the bottom which are perfect for key information such as the daily top three goals, daily meal planning, and a bills reminder.

The problem is that I needed more than that and it had to be organized in a different way. That’s why you must be intentional when decorating your planner.

First, think of what you want to achieve with your planner. In my case, I decorate my planner not only to make it prettier but to make myself more productive too. Then, identify what you want to track on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Don’t worry, I will give you some ideas in a moment. 

Related post: How to Set Short Term Goals to Achieve More

 

The materials needed to decorate your planner

Use planner decorating the right way to be more organized and productive. It is more than just adding planner stickers. You need to be intentional. Learn how to decorate your planner to make it cute and functional. Create productivity sections, know what materials to use, and learn about the best planner I have used. #planner #moms #momlife

You don’t really need to spend a lot of money or use too many materials to make your planner look cute. I pretty much use the same type of materials every time I decorate the planner.

Here is the list of materials I used:

  • Plastic stencil or you can get over 1200 patterns here
  • Mint washi tapes and salmon washi tape {most of the time, I use thin washi tapes}
  • Glue sticks – I use the purple glue stick but there’s one for crafts
  • Black pen 
  • Colored Pencils
  • Glue runner

Those are also the most common materials used for planner decorating.

Check out the best productivity planner that I use. Plus, get $10 off through my link

Where to get pretty printables for planners

The beauty of planner decorating is that it gives you different options.

My top resources are:

  • Value pack stickers – Even though I am using an InkWell planner, I normally use the Happy planner value pack stickers, especially the mom life and the productivity stickers. There are different value packs to choose from including stickers for fitness, faith, menu, and even checklists. There are so many value packs available that I don’t blame you if you can’t decide which one to choose. But if it helps, there’s a value pack with basic stickers to get you started.
  • Free Printables – By conducting a quick search on Pinterest, you will be able to find a lot of planner stickers that are gorgeous and free, which is exactly what I did for this blog post. To get the same printable that I used, head over Free Pretty Things for You to download it. There, you have the choice to download the printable created for the Erin Condren (EC) planner or for the Happy Planner. This time, I used the one for the Happy Planner because their rectangles are bigger and this time, I wanted to cover most of the boxes at the bottom of my planner.

Related post: 130 Free Printable Stickers for Planners (Free PDF version)

 

Use planner decorating the right way to be more organized and productive. It is more than just adding planner stickers. You need to be intentional. Learn how to decorate your planner to make it cute and functional. Create productivity sections, know what materials to use, and learn about the best planner I have used. #planner #moms #momlife

How to print those printables for planners at home:

  • Sticker Paper – You can print your printables on a sticker paper. In this case, you just have to cut the shapes and tape them to the planner.
  • Cardstock paper – This is the method I use. After printing it on cardstock paper, cut the desired shapes, and glue them to your planner using a glue stick or glue runner. Some people also use the Xyron sticker maker even though, I haven’t used it myself.
  • Printer – You don’t need a specific printer. I use an inkjet printer and adjust its print quality settings to normal or best. 

 

Planner Ideas: How to decorate your planner

The InkWell Press planner is already pretty and neat but we can still make it prettier, and more functional.

So, let’s go over each planner section…

Use planner decorating the right way to be more organized and productive. It is more than just adding planner stickers. You need to be intentional. Learn how to decorate your planner to make it cute and functional. Create productivity sections, know what materials to use, and learn about the best planner I have used. #planner #moms #momlife

Planner decorating makes it easy to create sections that tackle different areas of your life:

  • Daily Appointments – That’s where the magic happens. Most of my activities occur between 7 am to 5 pm. But, whenever I have something outside those hours, I adjust the schedule for that day. I prefer to modify only a few days per year, rather than “permanently” adding those hours to the schedule and having them empty 80% of the time. Writing the schedule doesn’t take too long but if you still want a faster way, I am pretty sure there’s a sticker for that! 😊
  • To-do Lists – A space to write home-related tasks such as laundry, cleaning, buy groceries, make a doctor appointment, buy a birthday gift, or get something for the kids.
  • Business Tasks – Here is where all the business related tasks go. Tasks such as writing a new blog post, scheduling on social media, or even creating new products for the shop.
  • Weekly Goals – Those important goals that I need to complete that week. I normally use it as is.
  • Notes Column – It’s the space for any note that I need to keep handy.
  • Weekly Gratitude – A way to not forget the wonderful things that happened during that week.
  • Notes for next week – Any activity, event, or appointment that comes up and needs to be added for the following week.
  • Saturday and Sunday appointments – InkWell provides you with the same amount of space for each day of the week. Since that’s too much space for my weekend activities, I prefer to combine both days in one column and use the extra column as a Notes column.

Using planner decorating in the right way, let’s you be more organized and productive.

Use planner decorating the right way to be more organized and productive. It is more than just adding planner stickers. You need to be intentional. Learn how to decorate your planner to make it cute and functional. Create productivity sections, know what materials to use, and learn about the best planner I have used. #planner #moms #momlife

Daily top three goals section

The top three goals are those that must be completed each day without excuse.

This planner has already created several sections for you including the three boxes at the bottom. Even though I gave you the idea of using them for your top three goals, meal planning, and bill reminders, you can also use them for all kind of combinations such as home, meal, and fitness or home, kids, and church.

Other useful ideas are evening events, kid’s activities, after-school activities, family events, date nights, movie nights, or self-development. The best part is that you can add tiny stickers to each area to quickly identify them.

The planning ideas are endless!

 

It’s time to decorate your planner

You are now officially ready to jump into planner decorating with a better idea (or ideas) on how to decorate your planner, in an easy but functional way. Have more ideas? Share them with us in the comments section.

Before you go…

 

5 planner decoration printable ideas to help you get started:

  • Bundle #1 – includes a full year of weekly view stickers
  • Bundle #2 – an editable twelve-month bundle of half-box checklists
  • Bundle #3 – twelve colorful sheets of stickers
  • Bundle #4 – plan your days with these weather icon stickers
  • Bundle #5 – 70+ sheets full of stickers for many occasions

Have fun! 😀 

 

Pin these planner decorating tips for later!

I absolutely love this planner! Plus, I get to decorate it in a way that I can be more organized and productive. #planners #moms #momlife

 

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Organization, Productivity, Time Management

3 Quick Ways to Increase Productivity (get daily results)

Oct 8, 2018 by Lynelle 4 Comments

If you normally start your day with a huge to-do list just to end up with most of the tasks unchecked, you are not alone. The good news is that you can learn and apply these quick strategies to help you increase productivity.

I don’t want to waste your time so, let’s go over each of these three productivity strategies. Don’t have time to read it right now? Don’t worry, pin it for later!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure for information.

I like these quick ways to increase productivity! They're very helpful for busy moms who are trying to achieve more every day. #momlife #productivity #moms #lifegoals

Increase Productivity: 3 Strategies to Get Results

Productivity Strategy 1 – Create an organized task list

To increase productivity, we need to start with the basics: create a task list.

The reality is that there will always be many tasks added to our calendars for our kids, family, friends, and even the community. The key is not to do everything that comes up but to take care only of the tasks that we really need to take care of and in the correct order.

Start by creating a list of tasks or projects that you need to tackle for the day, week, or month. Arrange those tasks in order of importance and urgency because it helps you stay on top of important tasks that require your immediate attention.

You are the only one who can determine the importance and urgency of the tasks. Once you finish grouping similar tasks together, you will be able to see what exactly needs to be done and when.

There are different ways to create a task list, so let me go over that with you.

 

These tools help you create a task list:

– Use a task list template

Creating an organized task list should only take a few minutes and can save you more time down the road.

The easiest way is to grab any piece of paper and write down all of your tasks. Just make sure to put those tasks in order from the most important and urgent to the least important and least urgent. You can easily do that by assigning a number or a letter next to each task.

I find it easier to use this type of master task list for different reasons:

  • easier to group the tasks based on importance and urgency
  • better to visualize all the tasks
  • a faster way to add new tasks that you overlooked without having to re-do your list
  • keeps all the tasks more organized!

 

– Download these task list apps

If you prefer to use your phone, here are a few task list apps:

  • Todoist – In addition to adding your tasks, it has a feature called shared projects where you can delegate tasks. Plus, you can track your daily progress and access this app from different devices.
  • Tasks – Not only can you add your tasks, but you can also add details to those tasks, organize them, prioritize them, and even sort them into lists.

Download this free productivity guide for busy moms and achieve more every day! #momlife #moms #schedule #productivity #lifegoals

Productivity Strategy 2 – Use the time blocking technique

In case that you haven’t heard of this productivity strategy before, let’s start from the beginning…

 

What is time blocking?

Time blocking is a technique where you block a period of time on your calendar to take care of a task or group of tasks. You have to treat all your tasks as doctor appointments, company meetings, or vacation and schedule them on your calendar too. In other words, every day you assign a time to each of your tasks or projects.

Although I am focusing more on tasks and projects, make sure to schedule some time to eat, sleep, take a break, and even have fun too.

It’s something that I used a lot while working in Human Resources. I scheduled a time to review resumes, process payroll, conduct regular meetings, prepare the material for orientations, create training modules, and more.

Sometimes as moms, we keep doing what’s on the to-do list and we don’t realize that blocking different times would help us manage our lives better.

 

Time blocking simplifies your days in different ways:

  • It reduces the time spent shifting from one task to another

You already have a schedule of what needs to be done which means that once you complete the task, you know exactly what comes next.

  • Time blocking puts limits to complete your tasks

It can help you reduce distractions, too. Since your time for each task is limited, you would not be wasting your time on other tasks that are not related to the task that you are working on. When you start working on a task, you should know exactly how much time you have planned for that task. This should help you reduce, or better yet eliminate, the amount of time wasted on non-related tasks.

  • Helps you focus better

Your focus should increase due to several reasons. As I mentioned before, the limited time assigned to each task helps you reduce distractions and as a result, you should focus better on what you are supposed to do. Also, having a planned schedule stops your mind from wondering about what needs to be done and helps you focus more on your actions.

 

There are different ways to do time blocking

Some people set a few hours aside to take care of a group of tasks. In that case, your time blocking will look something like this:

Check out this example of time blocking

Another option is to block time for each task which is the method that I use. In this case, you estimate the time needed to complete the task and then you block the time based on what you estimated.

Start adding your important and urgent tasks on your calendar. Then, continue adding those other tasks that are not as important or as urgent as the previous ones. That’s why having an organized task list makes time blocking a lot easier and faster.

Here is an example of a more detailed plan:

Want to increase your productivity? Learn how time blocking can help you!

This is something that I do every night and it helps me have a clear picture of what I need to do the next day. Using time blocking gives me some sense of control and makes my day go smoother. Especially because I know that If I get behind on a task, it would make it more difficult to follow the rest of my schedule and complete my daily goals.

But, don’t get frustrated when something unexpected happens. If it happens, adjust your schedule as soon as everything goes back to normal.

Time blocking is great for overachievers who normally create a long to-do list to complete in a few hours. It helps you be more realistic when planning your days because you can see how much you can really accomplish based on your other responsibilities.

As with anything else, while performing time blocking, choose the option that works best for you.

 

Check out these helpful time blocking tools:

– Time blocking planner

Even though there are many planners out there, it’s important to use a productivity planner that can help you achieve your daily goals while also using the time blocking technique.

The planner that I have been using works great for me. It doesn’t have times printed on its pages but it allows me to customize the weekly pages based on my needs. Right now, I add a daily schedule from 7 am to 10 pm and I still have room for additional notes.

Examples of time blocking planners:

  • inkWell Planner – I use (and love) the Classic weekly planner. Now, they launched their new 360 disc-system which allows you to customize it in the way you want it.
  • Day Designer – it has different designs to choose from
  • Panda Planner – It’s a popular planner and since it’s undated so you can start using it at any time.

 

– Time blocking template (printable)

If you don’t have a planner, the time blocking templates are a great solution. For example, this daily planner has several sections on the left side to help you decide what needs to be done on that day. Once you are done, follow the time blocking technique by scheduling those tasks on the right side of the printable. It’s that simple! Click here to see it.

 

– Time blocking app

  • Time Tune

This time blocking app works as an electronic planner and helps you create routines, add daily activities, and set up notifications. You can also add your events very similar to the way you do it in google calendar. I like its features such as the daily timeline, tags, notifications, and reminders.

 

– Time blocking calendar

  • Google calendar

This electronic calendar is a great option to stay organized and, in this case, to block your time. You can also set alerts and even color code your tasks by family members, importance, or task type. To stay on track, I use the Google calendar in addition to my planner.

  • Trello

This tool is pretty much a combination of a time blocking app and a calendar. Even though it’s a tool intended for collaborations or people working together, you can still use it to organize different projects in your life. Its popularity keeps increasing due to its convenience, easy use, and modern features. Plus, you can access it from your phone or computer.

As a busy mom, I'm always looking for ways to increase my daily productivity. That's why I love these printables because they help me with that! #printables #productivity #organized #ColorfulBows

Productivity Strategy 3 – Keep a habit tracker

Forming a habit is another way to increase productivity. But sometimes, bad habits are hard to break, and new habits are hard to create too. Even popular habits such as drinking more water or doing exercises are hard (not impossible!) to commit to for a while.

To increase your productivity, you may also want to create habits such as using your planner daily, planning your day or week in advance, writing 500 words every day, completing your top three daily goals, or even creating products for your store on a regular basis.

Keep in mind that it’s easier to start with small or mini habits. This will keep you motivated during the process and increases the chance of forming a new habit.

In addition to starting small, make sure to track your habit. Tracking your habits is the best way to see your real progress and lets you evaluate how successful you have been. As human beings, it’s normal to overestimate our actions and think that our performance is a lot better than what it really is.

To successfully achieve goals or complete projects, we need to know how we are truly doing. A habit tracker can show us that information. And, of course, here are some tools for you.

 

These tools help you track your habits:

– Habit Tracker Printable

You can use a habit tracker printable to track your progress. To keep you motivated, choose a format that fits your needs. It could be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.

 

– Habit Tracker Apps

There are different habit tracker apps available too:

  • Habits

The Habits app is very easy to use and allows you to set reminders. You can also see the history, strength, best streaks, and frequency.

  • Habit Streak

This is another easy app that you can use to mark the number of days that you completed the habit. It has a free version as well as a paid option which includes extra features such as getting an analysis, exporting and importing history, sharing your progress, and setting reminders.

  • Habit Bull

This habit tracker app is more colorful. You can set reminders and notes too. Unlike other apps, it sends you notifications that are more informal and even funny at times.

 

It’s your turn to increase your productivity

As you noticed, those three productivity strategies are not complicated or lengthy. Instead, they are quite simple and easy to follow too.

Applying those strategies in your life should not only help you increase productivity, but you should also see a difference in your “to-do list” at the end of the day. You should be spending less time between tasks and focusing more on the tasks that really matter to you and your family.

By the way, make sure to download the productivity guide that has more productivity tips for you.

Which strategy do you need to implement? Or, which other strategy are you using right now? I would love to hear about it. Let me know in the comments below!

 

Additional Productivity Resources

  • Free Resources Library for Busy Moms
  • 5 Common Productivity Killers for Busy Moms (and how to eliminate them!)
  • Free 7-Day Goal Setting Challenge
  • Top 35 Productivity Tips for Busy Moms (achieve more every day!)

 

Enjoyed it? Please share it with friends

and help them increase their productivity too!

 

I like these quick ways to increase productivity! They're very helpful for busy moms who are trying to achieve more every day. #momlife #productivity #moms #lifegoals

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Organization, Productivity, Time Management

Disney Cruise Tips: 5 Ways to Maximize Your Time

Sep 17, 2018 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

If this is your first time going on a Disney Cruise, get ready to have a lot of fun. However, before you sail away, make sure to go over these Disney Cruise tips to help you maximize your time.

Even though there’s a misconception that Disney Cruises are only for kids, your entire family can have a great time on the cruise.

I bet that the person who said, “time flies when you are having fun”, took a Disney Cruise. No matter if it’s a short or long cruise, by the time it’s over, you will probably be sad. It happens so often that it’s even called the Post-Cruise Depression.

However, since I’m always looking for ways to save time and be more productive, vacationing on the Disney Cruise would not be the exception. After all, I wanted to enjoy up to the very last cent paid.

And, I bet that you want that too, so let’s get started…

A happy mom having fun in the beach with her kids after following these Disney Cruise tips

Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure for information.

Contents
  1. 5 Disney Cruise Tips to Maximize Your Time
    • Disney Cruise Tip #1 – Keep your documents organized
    • Disney Cruise Tip #2 – Use the cruise rotational dining
    • Disney Cruise Tip #3 – Packing Tips: Simplify and minimize
    • Disney Cruise Tip #4 – Use the personal navigator
    • Disney Cruise Tip #5 – Wake up early
  2. Final Thoughts on Disney Cruise Tips

5 Disney Cruise Tips to Maximize Your Time

Disney Cruise Tip #1 – Keep your documents organized

Keeping all documents organized is important even when you are vacationing.

To make it easier, I classified my documents into one of two categories: essential documents or other important documents.

Essential Documents

The essential documents are important documents that you will need to use or show in order to access an area.

While traveling on the Disney Cruise, there are essential documents that you may need frequently. Because of that, keep the documents handy and in one place.

Imagine waiting in a long line to get off the cruise and start exploring the new port of call, just to realize that you left the passports in your stateroom and can’t go anywhere ☹.

That’s why I bought a functional bag like this one. It’s easier to carry and keep with me at all times. For the most part, here is what I carried inside that bag:

  • stateroom cards
  • passports for my family
  • tickets for the tours
  • money
  • credit card
  • blank paper (to take notes if needed)
  • pen
  • an extra pacifier (only a mom knows how important it is if it gets lost!)

Other important documents

You will probably have more important documents than the ones mentioned in the previous section. The difference is that these documents don’t always need to be carried. In my case, they were mostly documents needed before the cruise, after the cruise, or “just in case”.

I found a mini file to be perfect in keeping this type of documents organized. I used a mini file similar to this one and added some labels for extra organization.

My mini file included the following:

  • Disney Cruise planning book – this is the one you receive in the mail that has important details of your trip
  • Online parking payment receipt – on our second cruise, we drove to Galveston and left the car in a parking lot next to the port.
  • Airplane reservation
  • Cruise insurance document
  • Any hotel reservation – in our case, we drove for several hours and then stayed in the hotel the night before leaving in the cruise.

In Summary

Your documents may be different from the ones I had for our cruises, but the key is to keep your documents organized and handy, so you can have more time to enjoy your cruise.

Disney Cruise Tip #2 – Use the cruise rotational dining

Rotational dining is something that I really like about Disney Cruises especially when you are traveling with little ones.

Here is a quick summary of how it works.

Every day, the Disney Cruise reserves a table for you to eat dinner at one of its three main restaurants. It’s rotational dining because Disney reserves a table at one of those restaurants every night. It’s a simple concept with several benefits:

  • The reservation is already made for you: Therefore, there’s no need to waste time looking for a table because everything is ready for you and your family. I even had a high chair ready at the table. And to make things easier, your table number is the same every day.
  • Scheduled time – Since it’s a reservation, you (and the servers) know exactly when to go. That’s a huge benefit because you can decide what activities to plan before and after your dinner time.
  • Assigned servers rotate with you: Kids feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. In this case, your kids can interact with the same servers they already met.

In addition to saving time and reducing stress, those main dining restaurants are a magical experience for kids (and parents 😉).

However, rotational dining is completely optional and there are more places available to eat including ordering room service from your stateroom.

preview of the FREE printables for the Disney Cruise tips

Disney Cruise Tip #3 – Packing Tips: Simplify and minimize

If you want to take advantage of many activities during your trip, you will probably be running from one side to another trying to be on time for breakfast, character appearance, tour, dinner time, pirate night, show, musical, and much more.

Getting your family ready for the next activity or part of the day will take time. Follow these packing tips to make it better:

Packing tips for clothes

For the first Disney cruise, I grouped the clothes without knowing how much it would help me down the road. After seeing how easy it was, I immediately did the same for the second cruise.

Here is what I did to save time getting the clothes:

  • Got the cruise itinerary and identified the activities or events for each day. It will be something like this: a day at sea, tour at the Bahamas, Castaway, etc. Also, add the three main dining restaurants if you plan to use their rotational dining.
  • Wrote the identified activities on index cards (the contrast makes it easier and faster to see the information).
  • Separated my daughters’ and my clothes based on the activities or events. You can add the dates but keep in mind that you won’t know your assigned rotational dining restaurant until that same day in the cruise.
  • Grouped the activity clothes together, put them (nicely) inside in a storage bag like this one, and taped the index card to the bag. I did the same for every single activity or event. For example, if I had a bag labeled “Enchanted Garden”, it included all the clothes for that restaurant: my outfit, my two daughter’s dresses, and even her hair bows.

Again, my purpose is to save as much time as I can.

Whenever it’s time to get ready, all you do is grab your already prepared outfit bag corresponding to that activity. You won’t waste time thinking about what to wear or trying to find the clothes that you left with the other things.

Since the bags that I used had a vacuum valve, it was easier to fit things inside the luggage too. There are different sizes available depending on your needs. I mostly used large and x-large to fit all the outfits together.

And speaking about the bags, here I found similar storage bags that seem to work even better based on the reviews received.

When you choose your clothes, it’s normal to take into consideration the weather of your destination. However, it’s also important to check on how the weather will be when you return from your cruise.

For example, when we went on the Very Merrytime Disney Cruise, the temperature in Texas was in the fifties. While Cozumel had beautiful sunny weather with a temperature in the mid-eighties.

A packing hack is also included in these Disney Cruise tips

Packing tips for shoes

Don’t go overboard with your shoes. Here is where I suggest you minimize.

To save time, I chose shoes that I could use for different occasions AND I only packed one pair of each:

  • Tennis shoes for tour days and days at sea
  • Casual shoes for casual main dining and musicals
  • Dressy shoes that can be used for both casual and fancy activities such as eating Royal Palace or attending an event with the Captain.
  • Flip flops for the pool or beach at the port of call

Disney Cruise Tip #4 – Use the personal navigator

Every day, the Disney cruise prints a personal navigator which they distribute directly to your stateroom. It’s a newsletter that includes all the details for a specific day such as special instructions, reminders, character appearances, movies, important numbers, highlights, shows, games, and much more.

You normally get the navigator on the previous day. Therefore, don’t just put it aside or in your luggage. Instead, use it to plan the next day ahead of time.

My strategy was simple.

Every night, I was going over every single detail included on that navigator since I didn’t want to miss anything. Especially, because some of the activities are only offered once or twice during the trip.

After circling all the activities that my family would enjoy, I made a list of those activities with their location, which was based on their time. I kept that list handy in my purse to refer to it when needed.

Download the app

After having the list of activities for the next day, I was adding them to the Disney Cruise app.

What I liked the most is that it lets you create reminders to help you stay on top of the cruise events. It also has the time and location for each event, and even the map of the ship so you know exactly where to go.

Make sure to download the app during embarkation because it has other helpful features available too.

The food at the Disney Cruises is delicious

Disney Cruise Tip #5 – Wake up early

If you like to sleep until late, this tip is definitely one that you won’t like to hear. I understand that being on vacation should be part of a relaxing experience.

However, getting up early helps you maximize your time on the cruise as well as in your daily life.

You want to get up early in the day for a few reasons:

  • Cabanas – It’s a delicious buffet place to have breakfast. Even though there’s a variety of food available, it gets crowded (at least during non-school days).
  • Castaway Cay (or any other destination) – Castaway Cay has is a pretty island to explore, play, and take beautiful pictures. Make sure you have enough time to enjoy the island.
  • Exercises – It gives you time to do some exercises before starting the activities planned for the day.
  • Nature – For some reason, the sky, sea, and the sun look prettier when you are cruising. This is the perfect time to enjoy nature and to take more pictures too!

By the way, if you want to learn more about their shows, dining, activities, and more, request the Free Disney Cruise planning DVD.

Final Thoughts on Disney Cruise Tips

You are ready to sail away! Make sure to follow the tips discussed above to maximize your time and enjoy every minute of your magical Disney Cruise!

If this is your first time, don’t forget to download the 9 Extra Tips You Want to Know Before Your First Disney Cruise.

Do you have another Disney Cruise tip to help maximize the time? Or, if this is your first time, which tip did you like the most?

Either way, leave me a comment to let me know.

Before sailing away in a Disney Cruise ship, check these quick ways to maximize your vacation time (Free printables with more Disney Cruise tips!) #cruise #tips #disneycruise #freeprintables #vacation #momlife

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, New Moms, Organization, Parenting, Productivity, Time Management

5 Common Productivity Killers for Busy Moms

Mar 12, 2018 by Lynelle Leave a Comment

You can’t add more hours to your day, but you can be more productive just by eliminating one productivity killer at a time. Remember that your time is something that will never come back.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Forever!

That’s why this post not only discusses five common productivity killers for busy moms, but it also provides you with solutions and resources to help you maximize your time and days.

As moms, we already have too many things on our plates. We help our kids with their homework, take them to extracurricular activities, attend games, and watch concerts, among many other things.

That’s why it’s so important to improve our productivity. That way, we can still achieve our tasks and goals.

Quick Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure for more info.productivity killer

Quick note before moving forward, as a Mom Succeeds reader you can:

Save 97% on this productivity bundle for busy moms!

 

Productivity Killers & How to Eliminate Them

Productivity Killer #1 – Believing the myth of multitasking

For years, we have been told to multitask but studies have shown that multi-tasking is not the best approach towards productivity. There are two main factors involved, focusing and switching tasks.

When you multitask, you are not giving your full attention to any of the tasks you are working on. That means that it takes longer to complete each task since your brain continues switching from one task to another.

A study shows that switching tasks can decrease your productivity time by up to 40%. In other words, if you are multitasking to be productive, you must realize that you are achieving the opposite.

Switching between simple and familiar tasks may not seem like a big deal. For example, you probably won’t notice it much if you are making your bed while on the phone having an informal conversation with a family member.

But, the story may be completely different with more complex tasks.

Just imagine calling your insurance company regarding an expensive procedure not covered by your plan while cooking a broiled double-thick lamb rib chops with slicked-up store-bought mint jelly sauce, for the first time! You would probably have to call the insurance company back or stop working on the recipe until you are done with the call. By the way, that’s a real recipe that you can find here.

After all, multitasking is a huge productivity killer. It takes you longer to complete tasks, your focus decreases, and the probability of making mistakes increases, affecting the quality of the results.

Before going to the solution, check out this short video about what happens to your brain while multitasking.

Solution:

Start by focusing on one task at a time. Once you complete the task that you are working on, then move on to the next one. Then, start the next task, complete and repeat. Plan your day (discussed under productivity killer #2) and keep a master task list to help you keep track of what needs to be done. A great resource is a book called The One Thing which covers the disadvantages of multitasking and the benefits of focusing on one thing at a time.

Learn more about The One Thing Book>

 

Productivity Killer #2 – Not planning your day

Not planning your day has several disadvantages. When you start your day without knowing what to do, it’s easy to get caught up on everything and any little thing that comes your way.

Life is not perfect and last-minute things will occur often. But, when I plan my day the night before, I achieve more. That’s because planning your day gives you purpose and direction so you can focus on what’s really important to you.

You may choose to plan your days in the morning, but doing it the night before gives you the advantage of knowing exactly what to do as soon as you wake up. There is no room for excuses. But, the times that I have tried to plan my day in the mornings, I got distracted by other things and ended up not planning at all (and wasting my time ☹).

I am a huge fan of productivity planners to plan your day. Plus, they are like your personal assistant keeping everything organized and in one place.

There are many cute paper planners out there such as the Happy Planner and Erin Condren. However, my favorite is the Classic InkWell Press Planner. I find its layout easier to customize, neater, and more organized. Especially now with their new 360 disc planner. You can take a look at it here.

But, the planner itself can’t do the trick. You must use your planner for it to work.

Motivate yourself, otherwise, you will end up not using it. Start by making it easy for yourself. Get a planner that matches your personality. For example, my brain pictures the tasks better when the week is arranged vertically. It looks more organized and it’s easier for me to quickly understand what needs to be done during that week. If you prefer a daily or horizontal layout, then choose that one instead.

Also, decorating your planner will probably motivate you to use it even more. Add family pictures to make it more personal and decorate the pages based on the season, holiday, and upcoming events. To make it easier for you, I have created a list of 130 free printable stickers to get you started.

Solution:

Get a planner and make it a habit to use it on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter if you choose the Happy Planner, Erin Condren, or the InkWell Press. What really matters is to plan your days.

This productivity planner is perfect for moms

Learn more about the InkWell Press Planner>

 

Productivity Killer #3 – Not tracking your time

When you are not tracking your time, you don’t know if you are on track to complete your tasks or meet your deadlines. Even worse, at the end of the day, you won’t know where your time went.

Tracking your time gives you a better idea of the tasks that are consuming your time. Knowing that allows you to make quick changes to be more productive the next day.

Once you start tracking your time, you might find out that you are spending a lot of time on things that will not help you reach what you want in life. For example, you might realize that you are spending too much time watching tv or playing on social media, instead of starting a blog as you wanted for the last two years.

Track your time with productivity apps

RescueTime can help you track your time and it’s available as an app and chrome extension. There’s also Brain Focus Productivity Timer. It’s a popular app that follows the Pomodoro technique.

If you are not familiar with the Pomodoro technique, it was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late ‘80s. The purpose is for you to focus on working on a project without distractions. After choosing a project, set the timer for a 25-minute session.

Once the session is over, you take a short break of 5 minutes. After the break, you start a new 25-minute session until it is time for another quick break, and so on. You have a total of four sessions before taking a longer break of 20 minutes.

Before starting a project, plan how many 25-minute sessions that project will require. By doing so, you are tracking your time and pushing yourself to meet a deadline. If you don’t set a deadline, you will find yourself moving from session to session without being productive.

In my case, I have noticed the difference from when I am tracking my time and when I am just looking at the time itself. I tend to focus better since I am on the clock. When I only check the time, I tend to be more relaxed and as a result, I take longer to complete the tasks.

Solution:

Start tracking your time. You can download one of the apps already mentioned, or you can do it yourself by using a regular timer. But, if you haven’t been tracking your time, I wouldn’t suggest the latter. If you want to learn more about the Pomodoro Technique, his creator just published a book. Click here to learn more.

Learn more about the Pomodoro Technique book>

 

Productivity Killer #4 – Lack of organization

This year, I am focusing on this productivity killer because there are so many things to learn and it is easy to start collecting articles, books, and magazines.

Disorganization has negative consequences.

That’s why recently, I got tired of a very disorganized area in my house and ended up transforming it into a simple command center for kids. Not only does that area look pretty and clean, but now my kids can easily keep all of their school materials in one place.

Disorganization highly affects your productivity time. Spending time looking for things won’t help you complete your projects on time. And it will get worse if you have to do the work all over again.

Not finding the required tools or materials can delay the completion of the tasks. And that may cause stress, frustration, irritability, and a decrease in motivation to complete the project.

Solution:

There are different solutions depending on your situation. First, go digital or paperless. If you are keeping many newspapers or magazines, try switching to a digital subscription. Make the point to only print what is absolutely necessary.

Second, transfer your documents to your computer. If you are keeping documents such as invoices, think about investing in a scanner where you can transfer those papers to your computer.

Another solution is to designate an area for every item which is something that I am working on right now. If something doesn’t have a “home”, then make a quick decision to sell it, trash it, or to donate it.

 

productivity guide for busy moms

Productivity Killer # 5 – Not taking care of yourself

I am pretty sure you saw this one was coming. As moms, we take care of our kids, work, home, and anything else except for ourselves. Just remember, to be able to take care of others, we should take care of ourselves first. Not doing so may result in higher levels of stress, tiredness, and other health issues.

When I do yoga and meditation first thing in the morning, my attitude towards the day changes. I see myself more focused, patient and handling unexpected challenges in a better way.

Every day, set aside some time where you can get involved in activities that energize you. You could have a combination of reading, running, and meditation. Just make sure to include at least one activity that keeps you active.

Make it a habit to take care of yourself and follow through. Quitting after few days will just put you back where you started. It’s not enough to choose activities and schedule times, you should track them too.

A habit tracker allows you to see your progress. It motivates you to keep moving forward or shows you that you need to work harder. You can track your habits on your cell phone with apps like Habit Streak, Habit Bull, or Loop.

If not, check your planner for a more traditional pen and paper method. Some planners like the InkWell Press, have dedicated sections to track your habits regularly.

If you don’t have those type of planners, don’t worry because there are other options such as these printables.

Solution:

Decide how you want to start taking care of yourself. Specify the activities and the amount of time you will dedicate to each activity. For example, you could plan meditation for 15 minutes, reading for 10 minutes, and running for 20 minutes.

To make it work, try setting up a specific schedule (for example: from 7 to 8 am). Block that time on your calendar and start a daily morning routine.

As discussed in the book titled The Miracle Morning, having an early morning routine gives you time to take care of yourself and other important projects in your life. That allows you to be more productive before life gets in your way.

Learn more about The Miracle Morning book>

 

Get rid of your productivity killers

After understanding the five common productivity killers, it’s time to take action. Make sure to choose one productivity killer that you need and want to work on first.

Download the productivity guide and don’t forget to create a plan of what you want to achieve, along with the action items and deadlines.

Remember, not all your days will go as planned but they can be better if you have eliminated those productivity killers.

In the meantime, which productivity killer are you struggling with right now? Leave me a comment!

Additional resources to be more productive

  • Awesome resources for moms who are serious about increasing productivity
  • 3 Quick Ways to Increase Productivity (get daily results!)
  • 35 Productivity Tips for Busy Moms
  • Best 30-Day Challenge Ideas to Improve Your Life
  • Free 7-Day Goal Setting Challenge

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productivity killer

Filed Under: Blog, Moms, Organization, Productivity, Time Management

Is the guiding word of the year a waste of time?

Jan 1, 2018 by Lynelle 2 Comments

If you haven’t chosen your guiding word of the year, you are missing out. A guiding word gives you an extra boost to achieve your short-term goals.

This post includes the following:

– the benefits of choosing a guiding word

– five easy steps to follow to help you choose the right word

– ten examples of words that you can start using today

So, let’s get started!

I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.

 

Why should you bother to choose a guiding word of the year?

Several years ago, I heard about choosing a guiding word. I was kind of skeptical at first, but I still went ahead and did it. And, let me tell you that I haven’t stopped choosing a word since!

 

Here are three reasons (or benefits) to why you should do it:

  1. Provides guidance

The word guides you to what you want to accomplish. That special word immediately makes you think of what you are planning to achieve.

It also makes your decision-making process easier. For example, let’s say that my word for this year is “simplify”, then it guides me to make decisions that are aligned with the word.

  1. Keeps you focused on your goals

Every time you see the word, it acts as a quick reminder to keep moving forward. But it also helps you to get back on track if needed.

  1. Ensures consistency

The frequent reminders ensure you keep your actions and decisions consistent with your plans for the year. The more consistent you stay with your actions, the closer you get to achieve your goals. As a result, you will be more motivated and happier in life.

As you can see, these three benefits alone are enough for you to start thinking of potential words. But, before you do that, let’s go over the quick steps to ensure you choose the right word for you.

 

5 Easy steps to choose a guiding word of the year

STEP # 1 – SET YOUR GOALS FOR THE YEAR

You need to decide what you want to achieve during the year. In order to do that, think about your short-term goals. Your guiding word won’t be meaningful to you unless it’s related to your plans or goals.

Another way to choose your word is by thinking of a problem you want to fix. For example, a few years ago, I chose the word “simple” because after reflecting about the previous year, I felt that I was complicating my life too much by adding things to my plate that were not necessary.

Keeping the word “simple” in mind helped me to improve different areas of my life. That in addition to feeling less overwhelmed, saving time, and being more productive.

If you are still not sure of what word to use, go over your goals for the year and try to identify something in common between all your goals. Do you see any patterns?

 

STEP # 2 – FOCUS ON THE WORD YOU CHOOSE

Some people suggest that your guiding word of the year should be a verb. I understand why they say it because using an action word motivates you to take action.

But, I also look at it in a different way.

It’s better to choose a word that is meaningful and aligned with your goals for the year, rather than focusing on which type of word to use.

In other words, don’t limit yourself.

Choose whichever works for you: a verb, an adjective, a noun, or even a phrase. Choosing a phrase might sound weird but if a phrase such as “Make it happen” or “Less is more” matches better with your plans and intentions, then go for it!

In summary, be intentional when choosing your word. Don’t overthink it by trying to choose the perfect word. Just pick a word that can guide you, motivate you, and help you keep your goals in mind.

I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

STEP # 3 – CHOOSE A WORD THAT’S MEANINGFUL TO YOU

The word you choose needs to, in a certain way, describe what you want to achieve. And most importantly, what you want to feel when you read, write, or hear that word.

For example, this year, I was trying to decide between the words “achieve” and “accomplish”. In the end, I chose “achieve” because it sounded stronger, to me.

You can also add the “ing” if needed. In my case, choosing the word “achieving” was perfect to describe the continuous achievement that I am looking for throughout the entire year.

If you have an idea of what you want to use but can’t find the right word, try using websites like Thesaurus or Merriam-Webster. There, you can get a list of similar words to help you decide.

However, if you need some ideas or inspiration, then check this great list of 50 Empowering Words for Women.

At this point, you probably have your guiding word. But, if you are still unsure of what word to choose, I still have one more suggestion for you.

Try the happier in life which randomly chooses a word for you. I tried it and got the word “start” which is great for perfectionists like me, who normally wait too long to start some things such as starting a blog.

For example, I wanted to start a blog seven years ago but kept waiting to have the perfect blog name, themes, ideas, etc. Back then, having “start” as my guiding word would probably have pushed me to get out of my comfort zone to work on that blog and to finally hit publish!

 

STEP # 4 – WRITE THE WORD IN VISIBLE PLACES

One of the most common reasons for people not to reach their goals is the lack of follow-ups. To reduce that, have your word everywhere to see it often.

Keeping it in visible places helps you remember what you want to do, achieve, or improve. But, don’t just put a note on the refrigerator. Put it in various places to ensure you “bump” into it regularly.

I always have my word in at least these three key places:

– A sign in my bathroom where I can see it several times a day since I am working from home.

– Write it on my productivity planner which I use every day.

– Use it as part of my password. It could be a password for the computer, cell phone, or an account that I use frequently.

The main purpose is to keep the word in your mind as much as you can.

 

STEP # 5 – APPLY YOUR WORD TO YOUR LIFE

This step should be easy if you followed all the previous steps. Because the more in contact you are with your chosen word, the more in contact you will be with your goals and intentions. You start applying it more consistently through all the areas in your life.

It’s like putting your guiding word on autopilot!

By the way, this post, mentions the different areas that you need to keep in mind when setting your goals. Those same areas are also important when choosing your guiding word.

That’s it! 

Those were the steps to choose a guiding word.

As you could see, those steps are not difficult to follow and doing them will put your mindset to achieve the results you are looking for.

Have you made your bucket list yet? Start today with these FREE printables! #momsucceeds #printables #bucketlist #newyear

10 Great words that you can choose

Here are ten quick examples of words that you can choose. This list includes a mix of different types of words that I would consider for my myself:

  1. Success (having a blog named Mom Succeeds, this word was a must 😊)
  2. Committed
  3. Intentional
  4. Influence
  5. Happiness
  6. Grateful
  7. Complete
  8. Valiant
  9. Simplify
  10. Balance

 

Bonus: Examples of phrases to use

  • I can and I will
  • It’s never too late
  • Take action
  • I believe in myself
  • Living life to the fullest

As I said before, focus on a word that works for you. A word that would inspire and motivate you to make the changes you want throughout the year.

Can I reuse a previous word?

Once the year is over, follow the same five steps mentioned above to find the right word for your new goals. Don’t be afraid to reuse words from previous years. Remember that there’s always room for improvement.

For example, this year, I could easily reuse the word “simple”. As a busy mom, I can quickly identify different ways to simplify my life: groceries, meal planning, and batch cooking.

 

You’re ready to make this year the best yet!

Ok, in summary, you:

  • learned the benefits of choosing a guiding word of the year
  • went over the steps to choose the right word for you
  • got examples of great words, and phrases, that you can use

Now it’s time for you to put everything into practice.

Just one more thing…

I have noticed that some people get so motivated that they replace their goal setting process with their guiding word. I personally don’t recommend that and suggest using both, choosing a word and setting your goals.

Your word works as a daily reminder of what you want to achieve (goals). However, setting your goals is the detailed plan explaining what, how, and when to achieve what you want.

So, make sure to use both for greater benefits!

Now, tell me…what’s your word for this year? Do you prefer a word or a phrase? I would love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments section below.

 

Additional resources for a successful year:

  • 19 Self-improvement books for a better year
  • A simple tool to increase happiness
  • Best 30-day challenge ideas to improve your life
  • 6-Simple steps to set up your goals once and for all
  • Choose happiness: 25 ways to be happier in life

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I have to admit that I was skeptical of choosing a guiding word of the year, but I am glad I tried it! #wordoftheyear #bestyearever #momsucceeds #goalsetting

 

Filed Under: Blog, Productivity, Self Improvement

How to Create a Simple Command Center for Kids

Oct 30, 2017 by Lynelle 2 Comments

I had enough of this cluttered area! A very dysfunctional area in my house is now an organized and really simple command center for kids.

When I moved into this house a few years ago, I had plans for a wall space between the dining room and family room. The idea was to put the mail, magazines, school paperwork, and work documents there until I could process them. I didn’t want all that daily paperwork to end up on top of the dining table or worse to get lost.

I had enough! I transformed a messy and dysfunctional area in the house, to an organized, functional, and real simple command center for kids. Learn six important tips to create your own! Plus, FREE PRINTABLES!

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.

I love storage cubes and they have been my BFF for years. Because they are great for decoration and organization purposes. That’s the reason why I got a storage cube. It had the right size for that space area. The goal was to keep all the paperwork in one place. And, it worked!

But not anymore…

Get these easy tips to transform a dysfunctional area in your home to a real simple command center for kids! Plus, FREE printables!
Table Of Contents
  1. Home Organization Needs
  2. A beautiful, functional, and really simple command center
  3. DIY Command Center Tips
  4. Get started with your command center
  5. Wrapping up
  6. Make sure to Pin it for later!

Home Organization Needs

Our home organization needed a change. There were some problems/challenges such as the oldest daughter keeping school supplies in different areas, no place for notes but too much space to store clutter, and having the youngest daughter about to start Pre-k. You know exactly what that means. Not just another backpack and lunchbox but more school paperwork too!

After doing some research, I was convinced that a command center would be the perfect solution to replace the dysfunctional area. There are so many options available that I stepped back and identified our new home organization needs first.

I made a list of our requirements:

  • Inexpensive
  • Simple
  • No holes in the wall
  • Kid-friendly
  • Some storage
  • Space for notes and reminders

Inexpensive

Living on one income makes our budget pretty limited. I needed to fix that dysfunctional space with the least money possible. However, there are always ways to work around it. I created a simple command center for my kids that avoided adding a lot of items I wouldn’t use.

Get these easy tips to transform a dysfunctional area in your home to a real simple command center for kids! Plus, FREE printables!

Simple

You can add so many things to a command center. Things like folders, key holders, calendars, frames, and pretty much anything else that comes to your mind. I just wanted a simple but functional area where my kids could place their backpacks, a lunchbox, a 4-inch binder, have notes or reminders, and any additional book or material required to be kept at home.

No holes in the wall

I have seen command centers with hooks to hang kids’ backpacks. Even though I liked the idea, it was not an option for us for two reasons. First, because my oldest daughter’s backpack is waaaay too heavy. It has her books, notebooks, laptop, and other required school supplies. In this case, the hook would probably get loose and fall over time. Second, because I was determined not to make holes in the wall. I wanted a simple, pretty, and clean look.

Kid-friendly

With a toddler and a tween at home, I wouldn’t expect them to be super careful putting their belongings in the command center. I didn’t want to worry about them dropping a frame, damaging a folder, or even getting scratched by sharp hooks or corners. The storage bench top round corners maintain the area safe for kids.

Limited storage

Some storage is still needed in that space but not as much as we had before. In this case, I repurposed a storage bench from my youngest daughter’s room which I was using as a window bench. I used it to comfort her as a baby when she was waking up at night. Now, she is a toddler and we haven’t used it anymore. It had the perfect size to easily hold a regular backpack, a laptop backpack, and a 4-inch binder on top. At the bottom, it also provides the amount of storage space that I was looking for

Get these easy tips to transform a dysfunctional area in your home to a real simple command center for kids! Plus, FREE printables!

It was great for our low budget and the furniture is in better use. A win-win situation. I also added a folding storage bin similar to this one. I prefer those type of storage bins than the clear ones because it looks more organized and consistent. You can leave the window bench without bins or add all three bins.

Space for notes and reminders

The old area had zero space for notes or reminders. I had to leave notes on the dining table in order to remind my oldest daughter about important things coming up. To solve this, I used this chalkboard contact paper.

kids command center extra space

I cut two 20”(W) x 35”(H) pieces and placed them side by side to give the impression that it is one whole piece. It’s tall enough for the backpacks not to cover or erase the messages. It also protects the wall from getting dirty which was a major concern. It is easy to clean too. Just use a damp cloth to remove the chalk and that’s it. You’re done! Something simple and practical.

real simple command center for back to school

Some people don’t like the idea of using contact paper on textured walls. They prefer to use contact papers on smooth surfaces to have a better look. And it does look better. Because of that, some people have only used it on a smooth surface or they have added a smooth surface under the chalk contact paper. In my case, I am happy with the results. Yes, the contact paper is not smooth but it’s not that noticeable either unless you get close to it. Plus, it doesn’t bother me when I write on it. It works like a dry erase wall decal. Do what makes you happy. 

Tip: As you can see, I even add some decorations to the command center based on the season. But, you can also add some color by using colored chalk or adding post-it notes which are easy to remove too.

A beautiful, functional, and really simple command center

I really love the way that area looks now. It’s no longer a messy, disorganized, and dysfunctional area. Now, it’s completely the opposite. It’s beautiful, functional and organized. The kids have been using it every single day. As soon as they come back from school, they know exactly where to put their school stuff. But more importantly, they know where to find them too! 🙂

Get these easy tips to transform a dysfunctional area in your home to a real simple command center for kids! Plus, FREE printables!

DIY Command Center Tips

There are so many ideas or ways to make your command center that you could easily feel overwhelmed by the process. To help you succeed in your project, follow these six tips:

1 – Identify your family home organization needs

A command center should help you and your family stay more organized. Make sure it solves your needs. Every command center layout and content are unique based on what you are trying to accomplish. There’s not a right or wrong way to make it. It’s only wrong if it doesn’t meet your needs.  

Don’t be tempted to add few more items just because they are cute. Having all those unnecessary items may overwhelm you even more or increase your clutter which creates a dysfunctional area.

Be intentional during the planning phase to achieve the desired results. Visualize your dream command center and transfer your thoughts to a piece of paper. It is easier to move things around on a piece of paper than changing the whole command center after it is set up.

2 – Determine who will use the command center

You can be creating a command center for yourself, your kids, or the whole family. The needs will vary depending on who will use it. For example, if I create a family command center, I would include bills, a weekly calendar, a monthly calendar, and a bin to keep the incoming and outgoing mail. But, my kids don’t need any of that.

3 – Focus on the purpose

The sky’s the limit when you are making a command center. And I have seen many types. Some are simple, while others have everything included. That’s why you need to focus on the purpose. What are you trying to fix? What do you want to achieve?

4 – Choose the home space for the command center

Decide how much space you need for the command center. Take into consideration the items that you want to include. Many include calendars on it but I didn’t need them there. The number of people that will use it is also important. Because a family of eight will probably require more space than a family of four. Or a kids command center may need less space than a family command center. Choose the space based on the previous steps.

5- A convenient location

Space and location go together. The location of the command center has to be easy and convenient for the person(s) using it. Some command centers are located near the entrance door while others are near the family room or even the kitchen. In my case, it is right next to the dining table where my kids normally sit to do their homework. It’s only a few steps away from the garage door which makes it easier when we are leaving or coming back from school.

6 – Keep your budget and purpose in mind

It’s easy to get lost inside an office supply store and to “unconsciously” add unnecessary {but cute 🙂 } items to the shopping cart. Save time and money by making a list of supplies needed for that command center that you visualized on Tip 1. But, before heading out of the door, look around your house for any unused item that you can repurpose. 

command center for kids

Get started with your command center

After following those important tips to create your command center, it’s time to take action. I have put a few products together to get you started…

PRACTICAL CHALKBOARD CONTACT PAPER

For this project, I have used the chalkboard contact paper 1 shown below but there are similar products that you can use too:

Get these easy tips to transform a dysfunctional area in your home to a real simple command center for kids! Plus, FREE printables!

Chalkboard contact papers:

chalkboard contact paper 1  | paper 2 | paper 3 | paper 4 | paper 5

Functional Storage Bench

Even though I used the espresso storage bench (top), you have other colors and models to choose from. Here are some that you might want to consider:

Get these easy tips to transform a dysfunctional area in your home to a real simple command center for kids! Plus, FREE printables!

espresso bench (top/used)  |  white espresso bench  |  espresso bench (bottom left)  |  storage bench (bottom)

  • Update: Unfortunately, Target is no longer selling the storage bench that I used. But, I found the same storage bench here and a  similar storage bench here.

Colorful storage bins

There are so many storage bins to choose from! For this project, I used an 11″ x 10.5″ x 10.5″ red storage bin that I bought from Target a few years ago.  They don’t seem to carry those bins anymore but I found similar bins at other places. And added a couple of bins that caught my attention 😀 :

Get these easy tips to transform a dysfunctional area in your home to a real simple command center for kids! Plus, FREE printables!

black bin | hot pink bin | ocean blue & black bin | green bins | ocean blue bin

Wrapping up

Now, you know how I made my simple command center. Make sure to follow the six tips described above to successfully make yours. Hope you get as happy as I did after seeing the difference and don’t forget to scroll up and get the quick start guide.

Download the quick start guide

What type of command center are you planning? Leave me a comment in the section below!

Make sure to Pin it for later!

I had enough! I transformed a messy and dysfunctional area in the house, to an organized, functional, and real simple command center for kids. Learn six important tips to create your own! Plus, FREE PRINTABLES!

Filed Under: Blog, Home, Organization, Productivity

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