Space for Living Organizing | San Diego, CA

Making Room for what Matters Most

Finding Shortcuts

Sometimes we can get bogged down with all the mundane things in everyday life. Things seem to never truly be done because we have to wake up the next day and do it all over again! Burn out anyone?

Today we are looking for everyday shortcuts that can help us save time and energy!

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Finding Shortcuts

Even though we can’t always create calm out of the chaos around us, we can find some shortcuts that save us time and energy and get us back to the more important things in life.

But let’s be clear, I’m not talking about cheating on taxes or taking shortcuts on your health or nutrition. There are things in life you obviously shouldn’t take shortcuts on!

We are talking about the everyday chores you have to do before you can get to the fun stuff. 

Ep 61 Finding Shortcuts A to B Podcast

Personality Differences

I also think it is worth mentioning personality differences. If fact, it is kind of hard to believe that we have recorded this many episodes without taking about personality tests!

I’ve always been really interested in how people can approach situations so differently. That is why I love having more than one voice on A to B Podcast! And also why I love working one-on-one with clients to find what system or strategy will work best with their personality.

So with all the said, some of these shortcuts might not speak to you personally. I might even suggest a shortcut that would cut out something really important to you, but for me, it is no big deal.

I am speaking from experience here because some shortcuts that I think are fabulous, my husband sometimes doesn’t always agree and vice versa. In some instances, you will have to work with your family on what shortcuts will work and which ones won’t. It is a balancing act that sometimes takes trial and error. 

We have talked about various types of shortcuts before in Ep 40 3 Life Hack You’ll be Happy You Tried and in Ep 52 Tiny Tweaks = Big Difference and today we have a few new ones to add to the list!

5 Minute Makeup

Do you have a 5 min makeup routine? Do you know the bare minimum you can do to still look presentable if you need to rush out the door?

Sometimes a quick swipe of mascara and a little color to your cheeks is all you need to feel a little more put together. If you don’t already have a 5 Minute Makeup Routine, today is the day to create one. Hey, you can even break out the timer for fun!

If you need a little inspiration, I love this video by Mascara and this video too.

Do Less Washing

You might be saying, “Oh yeah, that sounds so easy but now my family doesn’t have anything to wear!”

I am not suggesting stopping laundry altogether. Let’s just teach our families, mainly kids, to question whether something is really even dirty or not. Are we just throwing it in the hamper out of habit?

This might sound silly, but when you don’t have to do an extra load or two of laundry each week that can be huge! If nothing else think of the water savings!!

While we are on the topic of washing, are you still washing your hair everyday? Most hairdressers say, wash your hair less often to retain the natural oils and keep your hair healthier. I love this dry shampoo that helps me last an extra day or two.

Ask for Help

This can take a lot of forms, but everyone has to ask for help sometimes!

  • Get a babysitter.
  • Trade babysitting with a friend.
  • Hire a housekeeper to come in once a week or once a month or maybe just for a special occasion.
  • Teach kids to help with lunches, do chores, fold and put away laundry. Put supplies where they can reach them, if age appropriate.
  • Ask for help from your spouse.

Meal Prep

We shared some easy shortcuts in Ep 43, Quick Summer Check In and Meals, and Ep 44, Simplifying Meal Planning.  As you are cooking, ask the question, “What am making that I can double or just chopp more of for a future meal?”

Add Energizing Activities

This is when personality styles come back into play! Determine what activities give you energy and build that into your week or day. This may not sound like a shortcut but a little boost in energy can create momentum to make it further in your day. 

This is when knowing if you are an introvert or extrovert can help. Would a quick call to a friend pick up your spirits? Or can you put on a show for your kids to get a moment of quiet? What would boost your energy?

Many times we automatically start scrolling through our phone to take a mental break, but does that really give you energy or is that draining you?

I recommend making a list in your phone of energizing activities that you can refer to when you are feeling low. Some of my favorites are:

Also, way back in Ep 3, Three Ways to give Yourself a Boost, we shared ways to boost energy throughout the day. What else would you add to the list?

Your Turn!

Start looking around for all the shortcuts you are already doing. Being aware of your current shortcuts can guide you to find even more shortcuts to add into your life!

Share with us your shortcuts! We’d love to keep adding to our list. You can find us hanging out on Instagram @AtoB podcast |Facebook.

We even have a voicemail line (858) 480-7722! Or send us an email Hello @ AtoBpodcast.com.

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