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In my last post I was talking about what you do when you feel your life, routine, family, relationships, etc… are in a rut. I asked to hear tips before I would share some of my own.

Hmoeckli had some really outstanding suggestions in response:
•  Look for dinner down an aisle I don't regularly use or shop at a new store

•  Call up a friend to hang out

•  Google my lesson topic and see if anything cool and new comes up

•  Look through Em's old toys to see if there's anything fun we are ignoring

•  Give myself the night off, order a pizza, and have a carpet picnic with a movie

•  Sign up for a class

•  Join a really cool website geared for local Sacramento moms so that I can meet cool ladies to hang out with. :)

Becoming “too efficient” in your roles and in your life is something I struggle with often. First of all, it’s important to notice when you’re in a rut. Better late than never and it’s never too late to do something about it! Here’s what I suggest when that feeling hits.

~Delegate: You could be in a rut because you’re trying to do everything yourself. Women are natural leaders and wonderful at taking on any task that a sane man would balk at. However, “doing it all” isn’t really a good thing. Delegate responsibilities (just as you would at work!)

~Sneak Away Time: If you feel you have no one at home to delegate too, ask friends and family for help. Start a “babysitting co-op” with your friends so you can get some alone time. If you work full time and your child is in school or daycare, take a long lunch every now and then to do something fun just for you! I try and sneak away to a mid-day movie a few times a year alone. The world will not crumble without you there every second.

~Play: You’re being too efficient and need to play more. How do you play when there’s so much to do? Your “to-do” list is screaming at you and your rut wants your attention. Do whatever you have to do to ignore it all (turn on music, make some tea, pop in a favorite movie) and PLAY! Play a family game, play with the children and their toys, doodle some artwork, break out the play dough for some family fun. Just turn off the world and force yourself to play. I swear it’s like a mini vacation when you do!

~Listen: Not with your ears, but listen to your body and your emotions. What is it telling you? Are you happy? Tense? Stressed? Exhausted? Hungry? As mothers we are experts at taking care of everyone’s needs around us (kids, employees, family, business), but our own! We get so efficient at it that you can lose touch with what YOU need. Tune in and follow your instincts.

~Live in the NOW: I don’t know about you, but I live 99% in “what’s next!” I go so far as to not even enjoy my successes when they’re here, but instead live in a constant state of stressful anticipation. Like a catcher behind the home plate, I’m always waiting for the next pitch, even when the game is over! If you’re like me… STOP IT NOW! Life is way too fast and you’ll miss out on so much with this frame of mind. Savor what’s happening now.

Of course these tips don’t mean “run away to Vegas and become a showgirl!” What they mean is that even if you stay at home full-time, you are an efficient, effective full-time business woman. You plan, anticipate, calculate and get it done. This isn’t always the best way to get through life and can be the quickest way to get into a rut. Take 5… ask for help… be selfish once in a while… take the kids grocery shopping in their pajamas or old Halloween costumes, no one will die! Let the little things go and focus on the NOW. Make today matter for you and it will matter for your family.