Are you struggling to find ways to stay focused during these crazy times?  

Do you ever have the best intentions but often let things distract you or get in your way?  

I wrote this post back in May and in true fashion, I forgot to publish it.  Most of what I wrote is still an issue however our home projects are on hold since my husband was able to go back to work this month!  He had been off since last September so it was a welcome opportunity, to say the least!

Read on to learn four ways to stay focused in times of chaos.

 

I am struggling here!

 

Not just because we are limited on where we can travel and stores to frequent but all the projects.  I think we have started (and almost finished) more projects now than ever before.

 

Some have been needing to get done.  Others started out of boredom.

 

Have you ever heard of the squirrel or shiny object syndrome?  In a nutshell (see what I did there!), you start something but then get distracted by something else that sounds or looks even more exciting.  That sums up my life and really highlights quarantine life for us right now!

 

I have been struggling to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

 

The good news is that I’m willing to try new things.  The bad news is that I often don’t give that thing long enough to figure out if it is where I should be.

 

Can you relate?

 

Within the last year, I have started a blog, a book, a Virtual Assistant business, and a real estate course.  At the house, we have started a garden, an office, a new cleaning routine, homeschooling, a new workout, meal planning, and what feels like so many other things.

 

My blog is neglected, to say the least, my book is not published yet and my VA business continues to morph its services.  The light at the end of the tunnel is that we did finish the real estate course and I can finally check SOMETHING off my list of start-ups.  Although, I’ll still be waiting for the COVID restrictions to lift before I can take the exam for the state.

***Edit, the office was completed as well as the garden back home before we left for NC.  Two more checkmarks!

 

All of this while we are still trying to educate our children, keep up the house, and keep them away from too much screen time.  What happened to the days where you could send your kids outside until mealtime or plop them in front of the “boob tube” and there was no judgment?!!

 

What I’ve found that is working for us so far,

 

Scheduling/planning

I take time on Sundays to sit down and look at the week to see if we have any appointments or if I have a crazy busy week for work.  Then I think about the things I want to do and feel for the week. I make sure to squeeze in fun things along with business/school.  

I take out my calendar and write it all down.  I am not a fan of having a schedule because I’m not always great at sticking to it.  So, this is more of a guide for us.  It lets me know what things I have to stay on point for and where there may be some flexibility.

If your routine needs a revision, click here to read more tips.

 

Blocks of time

I have to break up my day for work so that my kids are not completely zoned out on electronics.  So, I break my work tasks into 1-2 hour blocks.  Giving myself a time limit helps me get a bit more focused and I can generally get a lot done.  My work time is broken up with things like cleaning, cooking, playing, and doing schoolwork with the kids.

 

Use your resources 

Take advantage of what is around you and your area.  I have fully embraced grocery pick-up instead of shopping.  It saves me time and money!

Extra time with family means we get to learn even more about each other (and fun new ways to annoy each other)!  My daughter recently started helping my mom (we are a multi-generational family) in the kitchen at dinner.  She is learning some skills and they get extra quality time together.  The kids also enjoy fishing with my parents which usually means a cast or two and then eating all the snacks packed for the day.  These are great bonding moments but that also means that we are able to squeeze in focused work blocks or some alone time!!

Need other ideas for social distancing, click here.

Get outside

Taking time to go outside has helped me so much!  I need that fresh air and sunlight to help refocus my mind.  Some days it may only be for 15 minutes but it can still be beneficial.  Let your mind relax for a minute and just look around.

***Edit, Our place in N.C. has a pool so, we are getting lots of pool time.  Which means the kids are learning to swim!

More reasons to get outside!

 

There you go!  Nothing too fancy or hard to do, just a few ways to stay focused during moments of chaos.  Take some time to schedule/plan your week, break your tasks down into blocks of time, utilize whatever resources are around you, and get outside!  If you need some planner suggestions check out The Happy Planner, The JourneyGuide or The Living Well Planner.  I personally, use The Happy Planner but with my shiny object syndrome, I’m always on the hunt!  LOL

(No affiliation with any of the above planners, just recommendations)

 

I would love to hear from you!

Any other squirrels out there?  What has been the hardest for you lately?  What have you found that is working for your family?

 

Pop your comments/questions down below and while you’re at it, follow me on FB or IG to see what we’ve been up to lately.

 

As always, thanks for reading!

–Kate