Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

Navigation
  • home
  • about me
  • home tour
  • project gallery
  • shop my home
  • Let’s Collaborate

How Do I Manage Time?

October 19, 2010 by Cassie 32 Comments

PinterestFacebookTwitter

Welcome to my second installment of the “How Do I?” Series.  This post isn’t going to be very technical or involve actual painting or refinishing, but so many times people ask, “How do you get things done so fast?  Do you have little minions or elves working for you?”  I don’t have any elves or minions, but oh the possibilities if i did…. (picture me staring off into the distance with a crazed and dazed look, drumming my creepily long fingers….).  Ok, back to reality.  No minions, just serious time management.

I am a planner.  I need to know what my days and weeks are going to entail so I can give myself a realistic goal of what can be accomplished while being a mom and managing the house.   I typically will choose 2-3 pieces of furniture to work on at a time, one large and two small, or two large.  I sand them outside on the weekends when my husband is home, or I sand them and bring the kids outside with me to play in their sandbox or playset.  I sand several projects at one time so that they are all ready to be worked on as I get to them.  Now, let me give you a rundown of a typical day so you can see how it all plays out and how it all gets done…

5:15 am: alarm goes off, throw on gym clothes and head to gym to teach class.  (If I don’t teach that day, I get up at 7 am and continue the day as normal, but squeeze my workout in while the kids are at school.  The workout is important in managing stress and just feeling better about yourself and it makes it easier to get through the day.  If you don’t already, I highly recommend it for more energy and stamina!)
7:20 am: arrive home, and make kids breakfast, make their school lunches, and make all the beds.  I find the house looks instantly tidier when the beds are made.  get the kids teeth brushed, dressed and ready for school
7:55 am: walk Sawyer to the bus stop.  always give him a big hug and kiss before he gets on the bus (enjoy this moment before he gets too old and embarrassed by it!).
8:10 am: hang out with Emmy; we color and I also read my blogs and try to comment as much as possible!
8:50 am: MWF only bring Emmy to school. (Tuesdays we go to the gym together and then she has a friend over to play.  Thurs, she goes to play at a friend’s home while I go to the gym and run errands).
9:05 am: arrive home and work on furniture projects until 11:30 or 12.
12:00 pm: lunch break!
12:30 pm: write blog posts, ads for craigslist, work on website and blog.
1:30: pm: shower
1:50: pm: leave to pick up Emmy
2:05 pm: take care of any cleaning, laundry, etc. (Emmy likes to help with this and if it’s something she doesn’t find fun, she just gets some toys or coloring books and keeps me company.)
3:20 pm: pick up Sawyer from the bus stop.
3:30 pm: arrive home and let the kids play for a while.  Mondays we head to the gym at 4 pm so I can teach, Weds we head to soccer practice at 5, and Thursdays we head to dance at 5:45.
5-7 pm: various activities listed above, homework, dinner, bath for kids.
7:00 pm: teeth brushed, read books, and tuck kids in bed.
7:30 pm: work on furniture projects
9:00 pm: have a glass of wine, relax, catch up on blogs and write posts while I watch TV with my husband.
10:30 pm bedtime if I have to get up at 5:15 am; if I don’t have to get up, I read for an hour and then go to bed.

Start it all over again!!!

So there you have it… basically what I am saying is that you really have to have a plan for each day and for your week, and set goals per day and per week.  Which projects do you want to get done this week?  What will you on this day to achieve it?  What household chores need to be done on this day?  And always make sure the kids get some playtime with you, and always make time to read to your kids.  And finally, make sure you cut out some time of your day that is just for you- for me that is the gym, or reading a book.  No matter what, even if it is only 30 minutes, I always carve out “me time” to keep my head on straight.

I know this wasn’t a very technical or painting type post, but I wanted you to see how I get so much done, and that it is possible!!!  It doesn’t always go according to plan, and sometimes the laundry piles up, but I am also lucky enough to have a husband who is very helpful with the house, and the best hands-on father to our children.  We all work together as a family to achieve individual and common goals, and we make time for ourselves and each other.  As Sawyer would say, “we got teamwork!”

Related

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Subscribe for Email Updates!

« Retro Turquoise & Red Dresser
Piece of Work Wednesday Link Party Number 6! »

Comments

  1. Cathy @ The Far Fifty says

    October 19, 2010 at 1:25 am

    Whew, that’s exhausting! I pictured you all moving in fast-forward while reading that!

    Reply
  2. Jessica says

    October 19, 2010 at 1:31 am

    great post! it really resonated with me on so many levels. thanks again for yesterday – it was so fun to see you and to meet your family too and i looove my new table :o) oh and will has been talking about sawyer non-stop…we will have to make plans again – yay, yippee!

    Reply
  3. Kristine at The Painted Hive says

    October 19, 2010 at 1:32 am

    Okay, I need to take a nap after reading that. Damn girl!

    Reply
  4. Cozy.Cottage.Cute. says

    October 19, 2010 at 1:38 am

    5:15!?!?!?!?! You are c-r-a-z-y! I can barely function when I get up at 7:00 for work. You are my hero!

    Reply
  5. Sixty-Fifth Avenue says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:14 am

    Great post, you are awesome! Sometimes I don’t have a good plan and when I don’t get anything done for me I get crabby. I need to start working out again. I have been off the diet coke for almost two weeks now, I still miss it everyday.

    Reply
  6. Rebecca@This Present Life says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:18 am

    I think you must have left out one tiny tidbit of information…”I am secretly supermom”! But seriously, it is pretty amazing to see what your day is like and how you can keep to your “to do” list. The days that I am most productive, I squeeze some project (craft, housework, blog entry) into every single minute of the day. Sounds like you do that daily! And you make time for yourself, your husband and your kids which is so important! So I guess that does make you supermom πŸ™‚

    Reply
  7. kathie says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:24 am

    I love it! Love that you shared the reality of a day. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you are used to preschool hours & the kids go to school all day suddenly. To have that many hours of uninterrupted time is just priceless! And I really love that your kids go to bed at 7… mine are lights out at 6:30, every weeknight, and people act like I am nutty. They need 12 hours, every night to function. I always think what a wonderful world we would live in if we all got the sleep we really need!

    Reply
  8. EmTea Designs says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:26 am

    Wow! I feel tired just reading that! You are super busy!

    Reply
  9. gail myrepurposedlife.net says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:31 am

    I’m tired from just reading it all! whew! I applaud your organizational/planning skills! I never know what I’m going to do ahead of time. I fly by the seat of my pants. I figure if I make plans, they just get changed!
    way to go.
    gail

    Reply
  10. Heather says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:39 am

    I love that you shared this! I need some more organization and this maybe helped me!

    Reply
  11. Christa @ Stories of a House says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:40 am

    Holy moly. I could never keep up with you! You are a rockstar!

    Reply
  12. ChRiS says

    October 19, 2010 at 11:58 am

    ok back to bed for me i am exhusted!!! oh to have that energy again.

    Reply
  13. Saving Grace says

    October 19, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    You are amazing!! Thanks for sharing your schedule! It does help to see how other people get it all in! You make it sound possible!! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  14. Allison says

    October 19, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    What a schedule! I am a creature of routine myself but lately have been a little out of sorts. Your post is helping me get back onto my regular schedule and routine. You are amazing, Cassie, and quite an inspiration!

    Reply
  15. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    October 19, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    Wow, that a lot to fit into a day! I’m still working on the whole time management issue. I’m a very organized person and a planner too. But there still just don’t seem to be enough hours in a day!

    Reply
  16. knack says

    October 19, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    girl, you are great! I have been working on time management a lot lately…..it is so needed πŸ™‚

    have a beautiful day!

    xo

    Reply
  17. Kelly at I Dream of Decor says

    October 19, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    you are so motivating Cassie! seriously I don’t roll out of bed until 8:00 AM! I feel lazy now… but you r so right, when I did work out I had so much more energy, gotta find the time to get back in the gym

    Reply
  18. jazzynickel says

    October 19, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    WOW! 5:15?! One day I’ll aspire to get up that early to work out. Great post on managing your time. I will have to get my butt in gear and get a schedule as awesome as yours. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  19. cindy @ cottage instincts says

    October 19, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    I didn’t even know there was a 5:15 am.

    You’re amazing.

    Reply
  20. Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack says

    October 20, 2010 at 2:16 am

    You had me at a glass of wine and relax πŸ™‚ You’re amazing! I’m gonna change my schedule…starting tomorrow. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  21. Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun says

    October 21, 2010 at 3:41 pm

    Am enjoying your blog and getting to know you. Wish I could schedule in more time for fun decorating projects… Lately business has been hoppin and every time I make plans (other than teaching) the 2 or 4 legged critters change them for me! But I’m with ya on the early bedtime, early rise n glass of wine (tho not in that order)! πŸ˜‰
    hugs,
    Leslie

    Reply
  22. Gina @ Temporary Nest says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:41 am

    oh my gosh. You are one seriously busy/organized lady. I can’t believe you do all that. You deserve a standing ovation.

    Reply
  23. Classy Clutter says

    April 13, 2011 at 5:20 am

    I love that you outlined a day’s work in this post! I desperately need to get on a gym schedule. I’m an ex-gymnast of 13 years so I know I feel better when I’m working out. I have tons more energy when I do. I love that you advise strongly playing and reading to your kids. What a fabulous Mom. Thanks for this post!

    XO, Mallory from http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com πŸ™‚

    Reply
  24. Noelle says

    April 23, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Cassie you are doing it all!! I used to have that kinda energy, and then I turned 40 whew! I am just not who I used to be, I do have 5 kids, and still 2 little ones at home (8 and 10), maybe an exercise class would help! Anyway great job!!

    Reply
  25. jake says

    December 2, 2011 at 5:48 am

    Nice post Cassie, thank you for sharing your thoughts on how you manage your time. I also want to share how I manage time, I am a bit of obsess with productivity. And I am disappointed when ever I can’t finish work on time. Every day, I automatically record my entire task using time management tools. Using this tool it helps me organize task starting with the most important to the less important. I also set an allotted time for working each task and eagerly follow it. A bit of self discipline is my key on how I effectively manage time. Using tools and self discipline makes it a lot easier for me to manage time. At the end of the day, I fell that I get the satisfaction I want in doing my task without wasting too much time and effort.

    Reply
  26. JennSallee says

    January 5, 2012 at 3:53 am

    It was great to read about your day. Thank you for sharing this, it gives me hope and inspiration that as a working mom I might still be able to accomplish a few things for myself, my daughter and husband, with a little more planning, and a little more me time. πŸ™‚ You didn’t talk much about cooking and groceries, that alone keeps me busy! But I seriously live all of your work, and these tutorials.. I plan on redoing a dresser one day thanks to you!
    From a long lost cousin in law in TX
    Jennifer

    Reply
  27. JennSallee says

    January 5, 2012 at 3:53 am

    It was great to read about your day. Thank you for sharing this, it gives me hope and inspiration that as a working mom I might still be able to accomplish a few things for myself, my daughter and husband, with a little more planning, and a little more me time. πŸ™‚ You didn’t talk much about cooking and groceries, that alone keeps me busy! But I seriously live all of your work, and these tutorials.. I plan on redoing a dresser one day thanks to you!
    From a long lost cousin in law in TX
    Jennifer

    Reply
  28. JennSallee says

    January 5, 2012 at 3:53 am

    It was great to read about your day. Thank you for sharing this, it gives me hope and inspiration that as a working mom I might still be able to accomplish a few things for myself, my daughter and husband, with a little more planning, and a little more me time. πŸ™‚ You didn’t talk much about cooking and groceries, that alone keeps me busy! But I seriously live all of your work, and these tutorials.. I plan on redoing a dresser one day thanks to you!
    From a long lost cousin in law in TX
    Jennifer

    Reply
  29. A place 2 call home says

    January 21, 2012 at 2:12 am

    I love this! Im trying to figure out how everyone gets everything done. I’m pretty good about time management but Im finding it hard to turn off my brain. And blogging for me has always been a hobbling, but now that I’m doing it too, it’s very time consuming, so I’m just trying to figure it out and learn how to find the balance. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  30. Leah Cooper-Prockno says

    March 5, 2012 at 3:49 am

    Thanks for this post, time management is probably my biggest downfall. I’m great at making schedules, just need a little work on sticking to them. So I love hearing how other Moms get things done and still have time to really be with their kids.

    Reply
  31. Mary Ann says

    May 29, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Just discovered your blog – and I LOVE it…. Love to see your before and after pics. I just found this time management one and am amazed at all you get done! Thanks for sharing πŸ™‚

    Reply
  32. Mary Ann says

    May 29, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Just discovered your blog – and I LOVE it…. Love to see your before and after pics. I just found this time management one and am amazed at all you get done! Thanks for sharing πŸ™‚

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.Β  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.Β  We all get one chance at this life,Β and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Rss Bloglovin

Categories

Disclaimer

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This blog uses affiliate links.

Connect

Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

Recent Posts

Privacy

© 2023 · Foodie Theme Customized by This Bold Girl · Built on the Genesis Framework