Get Your Life Back in 7 Days: Banish Overwhelm and Rediscover Your Joy

2. What are your top 3-5 goals?

3. If you had 15 million dollars, but only 10 years to live, how would you live your life?

Now, write the answers down! The thought you give to these questions will guide you in tomorrow’s critical lesson.

Day 2: How to Finally Do Less

Do you feel like life is running you?

Instead of the other way around?

A full life can make you feel like you are drowning in to-dos.

And when it does, I always come back to the one thing that puts it into perspective:

The 80/20 Rule

This proven principle states that 20% of our effort creates 80% of the results.

And this applies to EVERY aspect of life with relative accuracy:

• One or two main tasks make the biggest difference in your work.
• Two specific things you do at home give you a close connection with your kids.
• 2-3 basic eating habits make a HUGE difference on your weight

In other words, the few important things you do daily give you the biggest payout. The rest is fluff. (Or at least doesn’t deserve the same attention!)

DAY 2 ACTION TASK: EVALUATE

Today I challenge you to do an 80/20 evaluation on your life. Here’s exactly what to do:

STEP #1: Write down every single thing you can think of that you do on a daily and weekly basis.

STEP #2: Look at the priorities and goals you wrote from yesterday. Circle the very few activities in your task list that actually contribute to those essential things in your life. Remember these 20% of activities give you 80% of your results.

*Feel free to do ​one for home and one for work​ if you’d like to.

STEP #3: Right this second, schedule in your 20% to do first thing today and/or tomorrow!

Now, how can you do more of the activities that you circled?

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That’s it for today! We are working smarter now, and not harder.

P.S. New – ​I created a workbook​ specifically designed to help you through this challenge. It has one-of-a-kind worksheets that guide you with your 80/20 + cheat sheets, a question template, and much more!

Day 3: Schedule for Focus

When I ask, readers graciously tell me about their challenges and goals.

And often there is a common theme.

They would LOVE:

• to be more intentional
• to be more present (less distracted)
• and to figure out how to make time for well, everything

I FEEL YOU. These things sound simple, but they certainly are not. We are constantly pulled in multiple directions.

However, I have a solution for you to try.

The Block Schedule

You may be the master of doing five things at once. But when multitasking, you are far less focused and productive.

Instead, ​try time blocking​!

It is a productivity technique that helps you concentrate on one task (or group of tasks) at a time. Like the title suggests, you divide your day into 2-3 hour chunks.

It enables you to find time for everything important in your day – just not all at once.

This one tool dramatically improves focus and reduces stress.

DAY 3 ACTION TASK: TIME BLOCK & BATCH

STEP #1: Get out your questions and 80/20 sheet.

STEP #2: ​Grab the free block schedule printable: or get out a blank piece of paper and divide it into 2-3 hour chunks.

STEP #3: On the paper, schedule your 20% tasks into your time blocks first (and early in the day if possible)! Then, schedule everything else. Group together similar tasks to make it easier to stay focused on one area at a time.

(I recommend doing this with a pencil, as you may move things around while the challenge continues).

That’s it for today! Tomorrow we’ll discuss ways to simplify that you’ve probably never thought of.

Day 4: Simplify Your Life & Breathe Easy Again

Today is my favorite day! It’s all about streamlining and removing distractions.

Often when we’re stressed it’s because we’ve made things too complicated. We’ve lost focus on what matters.

So, Go Deeper

Now, we all know about the benefits of decluttering your stuff. And while that has a TON of value, I want to provide you with ideas to cut the junk from other aspects of your life too.

So, here’s a good list of ways to SIMPLIFY, declutter, and completely transform your focus:

✅ Delete apps and social media you are not benefiting from

✅ Turn off notifications from social media and texts (this has improved my focus by 3x)

✅ Cut back on your food options (It’s FAR less work to repeat meals and snacks)

✅ Go through your clothes and shoes. Remove anything that doesn’t fit into a great mix and match wardrobe

✅ Say NO to one upcoming activity you’re not excited to do.

✅ Prep food ahead while you’re already making some (double a dinner!)

✅ Eliminate 1 task from your to-do list. Does it really need to get done?

Phew, that’s a big list! But I want you to see all the different ways life could be a little bit easier – leading to huge gains in your happiness and productivity.

DAY 4 ACTION TASK: REMOVE THE UNNECESSARY

STEP #1: Pull out your 80/20 sheet from Day 2.

STEP #2: How can you remove steps in your day? How can you eliminate the fluff?

Pick one task from the list above (or another you can think of) that makes it easier to do the right things.

STEP #3: DO WHAT YOU PICKED.

Now, if you’re feeling inspired after your one or two tasks, feel free to do more! (But start small)

Keep it up, you’re doing great friend! Tomorrow we’ll work on building systems that do the heavy lifting for us.

Day 5: Create Systems for Daily Freedom

Did you know that much of your life is actually automated?

Around 45% of your actions are made up of habitual activities you do often!

It’s simply that we don’t consider WHAT we’re doing.

So, today, we’re looking at creating systems that SERVE us, instead of always reacting to the outside world.

Here are a few awesome ways that it may work for you:

Daily Decisions

What do you eat for breakfast? What do you wear each day?

These small decisions wear you down before you even get to the big ones. If you feel scattered in general, then begin reducing them. Start by deciding on your clothing every Sunday.

Daily Routines

Kids chores, meal prep, clean up, morning/night routines, and almost any series of actions can be automated to free up loads of time. Often, checklists work WONDERS for creating amazing routines.

Could you make a checklist for a series of actions you want to do daily?

Regular Subscriptions

Everything from the content you enjoy to the way you shop can be automated to make life easier.

Your Schedule

Automating tasks in your schedule will require less decision-making overall – freeing you up to focus on real work!

Specific examples:

• A meal plan with regular themed dinners (“Taco Tuesday”)
• Assigning certain days for particular work tasks
• Designating home to-dos to a day of the week (laundry, budget, etc.)

The ​Get Your Life Back Workbook​ has more ideas, if you need it.

DAY 5 ACTION TASK: MAKE LIFE EASIER

Now remember, automating involves more work upfront, but WAY less work overall.

STEP #1: Decide one way to use automation to improve your day. Use the 80/20 sheet or the ideas above to guide you.

STEP #2: Set up the automation. (Make a checklist, tweak your schedule, sign up for subscribe and save, etc.)

Wahoo, doesn’t that feel good?! You are freeing up SO MUCH time and space for yourself!

Day 6: Build Your Support Team

Asking for help is difficult for many of us.

It’s for different reasons too. Do any of these resonate with you?

• You think you should be able to “do it all.” (others seem to)

• You don’t want to burden anyone.

• You tie your worth into how much you get done.

• You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on something you can do.

(If I had to pick a day of this challenge that was the most difficult, but most transformative in my life, it would be this one.)

But You HAVE To Ask for Help

It’s impossible to enjoy life when your to-do list is weighing you down like a 50lb. weight. And if you’re ever overwhelmed, you’re doing too much!

So, today, I want to share with you personal ways that I got help after realizing this was a big blind spot in my life.

– I asked for additional childcare

– I began paying for professional cleaning

– I asked my husband to cook twice a week (and set up a system)

– ​I purchased several products that helped us​

– I finally took advantage of free grocery pick-up

– I began paying someone to help with work tasks

You might be thinking “that’s great, but some of these cost money!” And they sure do. We cut Netflix, found creative solutions, and moved around the budget to add them in. But I discovered that my sanity is worth it. I am 10X happier, and I have SPACE in my life.

In the end, what is your time and sanity worth? I needed to value mine more.

And I think we ALL need to realize it’s okay not to “do it all.”

DAY 6 ACTION TASK: GET SUPPORT

STEP #1: You guessed it! One more time, ​get out that 80/20 sheet​.

STEP #2: Pick one way that you will delegate or ask for help.

STEP #3: ASK. FOLLOW THROUGH.

STEP #4: Pat yourself on the back. Asking is simple, but it can be difficult.

If you’re feeling inspired, ask for something else too! Delegate that 80% friend!

Day 7: Take Your Self-Care Up a Notch

It’s the last day! We made it! And you did a fabulous job!

Today I’m talking about the need for better health and wellness. Because so many of us burn out as a result of ignoring our energy, mood, and life force.

But if you want to truly “get your life back” you HAVE to take better care of yourself!

Now, here’s the big question…

What does self-care mean to you?

Maybe it’s time with friends. Maybe it’s a bath night. Maybe it’s getting in more exercise and better nutrition.

(It’s probably a combo of all three!)

Whatever it is, it’s time to double your scheduling of these things. Yeah, right now.

DAY 7 ACTION TASK: TREAT YOURSELF WELL

For the last day of the challenge, I BEG you to put your needs FIRST going forward.

STEP #1: Check out these self-care articles

• 120 Simple Self-Care Ideas
• 150 Powerful Affirmations for Women
• 55 Self-Care Reminders When You Need a Boost

STEP #2: Do something, ANYTHING, today that nourishes your mind, body, and soul.

Sit quietly in nature. Take a walk. Talk to your sibling.

Just get back to that place where you’re at peace and inspired. Isn’t this what living life is all about?

STEP #3: Schedule double the amount of self-care you were doing before. You should have more room in your life now, and there are no excuses. Use a checklist, get up early, or do whatever else you have to do to follow through.

After all, this is your LIFE we’re talking about! And you are worth it friend!

As we end this email challenge, I want you to know a few things:

1. This short series can be just the beginning. You do not have to live with overwhelm and anxiety.

Remember: small steps lead to big improvements over time. Keep taking baby steps with the ideas. Soon you’ll realize you’ve changed your life.

2. You can get inspirational and family-friendly emails straight to your inbox. Plus, gain instant access to free self-care resources through the Family Connections Newsletter.

My Top 5 Tools to Thrive

The series is officially over, but I thought you might enjoy the 5 top things that help my busy life thrive (instead of just survive!)

Which one can you use to help you?

• ​Child Routine Checklists​ – I would NOT function well without these. Whether you make your own routine charts or ​use the templates​, I highly recommend teaching your kids to take care of themselves and pitch in. It’s life-changing in the long run.

(Use the code DEALS20 at checkout for 20% off!)

• Multiple Calendars – For long-term commitments, we need a shared phone calendar. But I’ve also found ​my dry erase calendar​ to be indispensable. I like color coding for each kid, plus there’s room on the side to jot down things we need to buy.

• ​Get Your Life Back Workbook​ – I use these pages regularly to find new ways to make life easier. Just the other day, ​I did a template ​and realized I could be using shared Google Sheets to eliminate back-and-forth work emails.

• ​A Tiny Purse​ – Ha, ha, but really! I was SO tired of never finding anything! So, I ditched the massive diaper bag and big purse. Instead, I put backup clothes/diapers in the places we needed them. And I got the smallest purse I could find.

Do you know what happened?! My kids could no longer give me their spare junk.

And I finally gained the freedom my husband has known for years…

• ​Trello ​(It’s FREE!)- I recently discovered this and it has been a game changer! By creating boards for my work and kid projects I’m able to find all of my scattered to-dos and notes in ONE place.

Bye bye random papers floating around… And bye bye scattered brain!

That’s it! I hope you found these helpful – they sure keep me happy!