How To: Do it All.

 Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.

              - Goethe

I'm 33 and I never imagined I would be able to live "a life by design" working from home, doing what I love and finding time to do the things I like. This is not a sales pitch, some people love the comfort of having job security in a corporate world and the benefits that come from it.  I grew up with parents who spent a lifetime working 8 to 5pm for the same company; y dad (R.I.P) had a heart attack in his office, undoubtedly caused by the strain of too much work and not enough living. So, for me, getting up to work a full-time job with 1 hour for lunch plus time for commute is more than just unappealing; it's simply NOT AN OPTION.

I've referenced Instagram's Ask Me a Question story "gif" before.  A few weeks ago someone asked "What do you do for work?" I laughed out loud as I pondered how to best answer that question in a short format. Well... I teach ESL every morning to children that are in China. No, I do not speak Chinese. Yes, classes are online. I work in real estate as a personal assistant to Michael, which means whatever he needs me to do, whenever he needs it done, I do it. With real estate there's breathers in between deals that I treasure.  I am a certified Notary in the State of Florida and I am a loan signing agent.  As you may have guessed it, I never get bored. EVER! As for the things I like: I sort and sell antique jewelry on Etsy (link in homepage), I am a brand ambassador for the spectacular brand Sexy Modest (link in homepage) and I oversee my personal page in Instagram which includes insight to my all-time favorite hobby which is keeping a journal. That, on top of church and scripture study, church activities, cooking and caring for a family of 6, having time with Michael and time for myself...you can imagine there is never a dull moment.

So, someone else asked "How do you do it all?" This prompted me to write this as a sort of "day in the life..." approach so you can see how I divide my days and my hours to maximize my time and get things done.

First of, I keep an agenda for lunch dates and appointments, not for every one of my daily activities. Those I plan the night before in a format called "time-blocking".  This concept is easy to master. Divide your day into hours starting with the time you get up and block everything from getting ready, breakfast, driving to point A and point B, doing this, doing that...and eventually deciding what time you're going to sleep that day.  It really is NOT difficult.

Here's an example of a day in my life:

5:40 a.m. - get up, get ready, snack.
6 - 10 a.m. - TEACH ESL
10-10:30 a.m. - eat a full meal
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Options: Nap/Journal/Study/Instagram.
11:30 - 11:45 a.m. - Change to go do errands, snack.
12:00 - 2 p.m. - ERRANDS (this includes commute back home).
2:15 - 4:30 p.m. - Real Estate assistance...
4:30 - 6 p.m. - Dinner prep
6 - 6:30 p.m.- DINNER
6:30 - 7 p.m. - rest
7 to 8:30 p.m. - Real Estate assistance...
8:30 p.m. - Netflix and chill with the kids.
9:30 p.m. - Scripture Study as a family.
10 p.m. - Get ready for bed.
11p.m. - SLEEP

Any given day this may change and that's what I love about it. I may have to trade in my 10:30 nap for real estate work because Michael can only do that time in his schedule. That's OK. I could have no errands to run at noon and just schedule cleaning, laundry, getting my nails done... The point is, when you time block your day you get the most out of it. I recommend it to everyone. I get it, if you have children or a full-time job your schedule will look way different. But that's OK. The beauty of time blocking is that it is not a "one size fits all" thing, it is something you tailor to your needs and duties. I honestly don't know if this will help you, but I can assure you that it has helped me and Michael keep our sanity during super busy times with all the projects we're involved in. I don't just have one thing to do and that's a blessing.  Try this, and let me know what you think in the comments below or in my Instagram!!!