How I Prioritize My To-Do List as a Busy Single Mom
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Welcome back to another episode of “Systemize Your Side Hustle!” In this episode, I’m diving into a topic we all need more of—prioritization. As a single mom, full-time employee, business owner, and army service member, I’ve had to master the art of managing a packed schedule. And let me tell you, it hasn’t always been easy. But with a little help from therapy and a simple analogy that changed the game, I found a way to keep it all together.
Today, I’m sharing a powerful strategy that will help you manage your own to-do list with less stress and more focus. Ready to find out how to put your top priorities first and let the little stuff fall into place? Let’s get into it!
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Finding Clarity Through Therapy: How Prioritization Saved My Sanity
Life got real hectic for me not too long ago, and it triggered some serious anxiety. Between juggling a toddler, a full-time job, running a business, and managing my military duties, I hit a point where I knew something had to change. I wasn’t just overwhelmed—I felt stuck, like I was drowning in everything I had to do. That’s when I decided to seek help through therapy.
It was one of the best decisions I ever made. My therapist introduced me to an idea that would become a cornerstone in how I manage my time and tasks: the Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand analogy.
The Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand Analogy: A Simple Way to Prioritize
Here’s the idea behind this analogy, and trust me—it’s simple but life-changing:
Rocks represent the biggest, most important priorities in your life—the things that impact your well-being and safety.
Pebbles are the tasks that matter but aren’t quite as crucial as the rocks. They’re still important, but the world won’t end if they don’t happen immediately.
Sand is all the extra stuff. It’s the small, often trivial things that can easily take up space but don’t really move the needle in your life.
Now, imagine you’re trying to fit all three—rocks, pebbles, and sand—into a jar. If you start with the sand, filling up the jar with little things, you won’t have room for the rocks or pebbles. But if you start by placing the rocks in first, then add the pebbles around them, and finally sprinkle the sand in the remaining space, everything fits perfectly.
This analogy showed me that it’s not just about getting things done—it’s about getting the right things done.
Applying the Analogy in My Life and Business
Once I understood this concept, I started categorizing everything I do into rocks, pebbles, and sand. Here’s how I make it work:
Rocks are my non-negotiables. These are things like paying bills, keeping up with Shainen’s school responsibilities, and making time for self-care (because if I’m not okay, nothing else will be).
Pebbles include important but flexible tasks like business planning, recording podcasts, and organizing the house.
Sand is everything else—watching Netflix, scrolling on Instagram, or indulging in things that are fun but not essential.
Each week, I sit down and decide what my rocks are—those are the things I absolutely need to get done, no matter what. Then, I fill in the pebbles, making sure they don’t take priority over my rocks. Finally, I add the sand if there’s any time left.
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Scheduling Based on Priorities: My Weekly Strategy
To keep myself on track, I’ve developed a method for scheduling my tasks. I map out my week using a simple template that breaks down each task into its category: rock, pebble, or sand. I’ll even share this prioritization sheet as a free downloadable PDF so you can use it too!
Here’s a glimpse of how my week might look:
Monday: Rock—pay bills and plan Shainen’s school week. Pebble—record two podcast episodes. Sand—catch up on my favorite show.
Tuesday: Rock—self-care day! Pebble—create social media content. Sand—check emails (yes, I treat emails as sand sometimes!).
By following this system, I ensure that the important things always come first. I’m no longer constantly stressed or overwhelmed, because I know I’ve got a plan to get the right things done.
Wrapping It Up: Prioritize with Purpose
In today’s busy world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and lose sight of what truly matters. But by using the rocks, pebbles, and sand method, you can make sure your top priorities get the attention they deserve. It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things.
I hope this episode gave you some helpful insight on how to start prioritizing like a pro. Don’t forget to download my free prioritization sheet to put this method into practice in your own life. And if this approach has helped you, I’d love to hear from you—leave a review or send me a message!
Stay tuned for more tips and strategies on how to balance your side hustle, family, and life with ease. Until next time, keep crushing those rocks, and let the sand settle where it may!
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Hi, I'm Leah- THE Systems Strategist for side hustlers! I love helping side-hustling moms like you organize and automate every aspect of your busy life. Whether it’s keeping your household running smoothly, streamlining your side hustle, or finding that sweet spot where both meet, I’m here to show you that you really can have it all—with a little help from the right systems.
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