10 Ways to Have a Better Week: Busy at Work & Home!

Here are 10 ways to have a better week when you are busy at work and home. You can start these strategies today and they will make things flow a little smoother.

I get it. You’re juggling homemaking and a full-time job, and some weeks feel like a never-ending to-do list. Let’s get right into these strategies that help me to get things done and enjoy my week.

1. Hang a Calendar on the Fridge

Old school? Maybe. I’m an 80’s baby, so old school is my thing!

There’s something about writing things down and having that calendar right there for everyone to see. It keeps you from missing practice times, appointments, and those random things that always pop up.

If you’re more of a digital person, that’s fine too. But if you want to color-code per kid or event, go for it. Be as Type A as you want. Here are some FREE printables that you might enjoy!

When finding ways to have a better week, you have to be willing to try out different strategies.

2. Pray Over Your Week

Before the week starts, ask the Lord to fill your days with what He has planned. Pray for wisdom to handle unexpected moments and peace when things don’t go as planned. Also, ask Him to remove anything from your calendar that isn’t meant to be there — even if it’s something you were excited about.

3. Meal Plan Like a Pro

I love meal planning. Seriously, I send a full week’s worth of dinner ideas to my email subscribers every Sunday. It saves time, money, and stress. Here’s the trick:

• Plan your meals for the week.
• Check the night before to see if you need to thaw meat or chop veggies.
• Use your crock pot for those long, busy days.

4. Tackle Housework in 5-10 Minute Bursts

It is hard to find time for a full cleaning day. Instead, do little things throughout the day. Switch the laundry in the morning. Wipe down the counters before bed. Run the dishwasher at night. Small habits make a big difference when you wake up to a clean slate.

5. Simplify Your Wardrobe

Pick five outfits you love and rotate them. Done. If something doesn’t fit or makes you feel uncomfortable, get rid of it. Decision fatigue is real, and this saves precious time in the morning. Plus, teach your kids to do the same.

6. Embrace Simple Breakfasts and Lunches

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every meal. Double your dinner recipe and pack the leftovers for lunch. For breakfast, keep hearty bread, eggs, and maybe some oatmeal on hand. Simple. Filling. Done.

7. Shift Your Mindset

Stop saying, “Ugh, we have another game tonight.” Start saying, “I get to watch my son play.” Your words have power. The more you shift your mindset to gratitude, the more you’ll enjoy this season you’re in — even if it’s busy.

8. Prep Food When You Have Time

If you get home from work at 4 p.m. and dinner isn’t until 6, go ahead and make it early. There’s no rule that says you have to cook at dinnertime. You’re fueling your family, not putting on a five-star show every night. Give yourself some grace.

9. Limit Your Screen Time

Scrolling through social media can suck away hours of your life. Use technology for good — like finding recipes or getting inspiration — but don’t fall into the rabbit hole. Time is precious. Protect it.

10. Rest When You Can

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Go to bed earlier. Step outside for fresh air. Say no to things that drain you. Your family will thank you when you’re rested and present.

Bonus Tips for “Ways to Have a Better Week”:

1. You don’t have to answer all of the phone calls that come your way. Put your phone in your bedroom for a period of time every day. Just try it! 

2. Read your Bible first thing. It is amazing how this will change your day. 

3. Start a new habit of waking up before your family, even if it is just 10 minutes before. 

4. Incorporate your family into your personal goals. Teams work together. 

5. Realize that everyone is in a busy season. Be gracious to one another. 

6. Your most important work is loving Jesus and loving those around you. Each little thing that you do for your family is actually the most important task that you will take on during the week. It doesn’t take a lot of time to connect. 

7. You don’t have to have a specific time or day of the week for daily tasks. Ask yourself, “What can I get done right now in just 5 minutes?” 

8. You are probably exhausted by the end of the day. So, try to get all chores, routines, and manageable tasks done about 30 minutes before you plan to go to bed.

9. Put your phone away 30 minutes before you plan to go to bed. It shouldn’t be the last thing you look at.

10. Write things down. This will take them out of your brain and free up space. When they are written down, you can see your punch list and get right to it.  

Who is a Homemaker?

Anyone who is helping around the house and creating a space that others love to be in is a homemaker. 

Being a homemaker is more than just keeping the house tidy. Whether you work inside the home, outside the home, or both, you’re striving to create comfort and warmth. We all know that there’s not much time in the day to get everything done.

Whether you’re managing chores, spending time with family, or focusing on your job, you’re always looking for the best way to make everything work. Some days, it feels like there’s just less time than you need to accomplish everything. But that’s part of the reality during busy times in life.

Is there a balance?

We cannot do it all. We can do a lot and we need to focus on what we can do and how we can make sure that we are doing what we are meant to be doing.

We also know that work doesn’t just happen in the office; it happens both inside and outside the home. While you may be balancing a job, whether it’s in an office or from home, your work hours continue to stretch into your personal time. This makes it hard to find that elusive work-life balance. Is there even such a thing?

In truth, there’s always a give and take, especially when your work week extends into your evenings and weekends. And let’s be honest—during these busy times, it’s easy to forget about simple things like getting enough sleep or sticking to a morning routine.

Have a plan. Sort of! 

In order to have a productive week, it’s important to have a plan. Whether you’re setting times for work tasks or for physical activity, carving out blocks of time to focus on each task can help.

During your lunch break, take the time to step away and recharge. If you’re able to incorporate even small breaks into your work day, you’ll feel less stressed and more accomplished by the end of the week.

Remember that the goal is to maximize your day so that you can make the most of the time you have, both for work and for the things that matter to you.

When trying to find different ways to have a better week, remember, start small and you will be surprised with how big of a difference that will make!

A productive week doesn’t just happen—it requires planning, prioritizing, and finding the best way to manage your time. In the end, being able to set times for specific tasks, including spending time with your family, can help bring structure to your day. While there may not be a perfect work-life balance, finding what works for you will help you feel more in control of your schedule.

You’ve got this.

Anna Sue