Managing ourselves is tough! I love little things (habits) I can do to set myself up for success for multiple days at a time and not have to think about it when the moment comes (or right before).

I love my time off in the evenings! Whether it is spending time with someone who lights up my world, relaxing watching Project Runway, or whatever I choose for the occasion . . . I don’t want to have think about all the routine things I need to do the next day.

If I can take out a lot of that daily prep work beforehand I can better maximize my time.

Here are some weekly habits I do routinely to better enjoy my day-to-day (and prep for those unexpected plot twists of course).

Habit 1: Plan Outfits from Head-to-Toe

I know myself enough, and have experienced countless days of running around in the morning figuring out my outfit for work, to know that having everything I need ready in front of me sets me up for success for any day of the week.

I created a Habit Hero for myself. See my post on Avoid Work Wardrobe Panic here.

But, taking it a step further (to minimize decision making at 6am when I can solely be enjoying my coffee and quiet time), I add all the little stuff right to the hanger or space in a section of my closet I dubbed: “work outfits”. I hang my panties, bra, jacket, and jewelry right on the hanger with the clothing.

Wrapped in my fluffy robe in the morning after a beautiful “wake-me-up” shower, I just grab and dress! No frenzy necessary!

Habit 2: Steam Outfits Ahead of Time

Once I know my plan and the potential order of my outfits for the week (takes a lot less time than you think), I have the weekly habit of steaming them all at once so I am ready to go.

I just keep my compact steamer (with a bottle of water next to it) ready to go in the corner of my room or other easily accessible spot to hang and steam.

Quick and easy every time!

So, let’s talk a little bit about the power of a steamer:

Frankly, I’m not a big wrinkle fan! Even though, yes, the reality is a fresh item off the hanger might be wrinkle-free for a few minutes and then I sit down and it’s done . . . well just stop buying that type of fabric, Catherine.

I love to have a Habit Hero of using a steamer because it’s quick! It takes little room to store and use, and I even travel with it!

I can’t believe how much time I used to spend trying to iron my clothes for work! It’s like a whole episode of Friends session every week . . . And, if I forgot an item or added an item to my wardrobe for the week as an afterthought, I had to bring the whole ironing board set out all over again.

Also important to note: my black pants do not like an iron! It left stuff on them consistently.

Mothers know best, as we know, and one day my mama decided to pick me up a steamer knowing I’d thank her later . . . she was right!

Another bonus about using my compact steamer vs. an iron and ironing board as a habit is that I can keep the clothing item right on the hanger and neatly pop it right back in line with my “work week” outfits in the closet. No extra steps, no extra fuss.

So, check out this compact steamer on Amazon.

It’s the only one I’ve used, but that is great enough for me! Why try out five steamers when this meets my needs and heats up in seconds every time.

Habit 3: Meal Planner (aka fridge magnet)

I am all about visuals for myself. I am very out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

What would I do without using my Magnetic Fridge Calendar as a weekly Habit Hero??? Color-coding my to-do lists for a day and meals I’ll whip up.

This habit helps me to at least have an outline so I don’t cook boring chicken every single night or don’t have enough to pack a lunch for each day of the week. I want all that figured out already without it being a lengthy project.

I just peek at what I have real quick and write down my potential meal plans for the week. When it comes to the day I already know what I have and what my goal was.

Fabulous weekly habit!

Habit 4: Position Food Items in Fridge (Meal Prep)

I have yet to build the habit of chopping all my vegetables and cooking my meats on Sundays so everything is ready to go. I aspire to full-on meal prep in the future. You’ll be sure to hear about it.

However, there is definitely an organization that I have put in place with ease so that I can see what I have in my fridge.

I want to be able to look at my fridge calendar and have easy access to the fresh food items I need for that meal (or for prepping lunch tomorrow) without having to look around for it in the back of the fridge.

Habit 5: To-do List for the Week (All about Balance)

We have a ton of things we have to get done, want to check off the list, aspire to accomplish, etc . . . right?

So, take a few minutes maybe on Saturday after your first cup of coffee and jot down all that you can brainstorm.

Now, divide them up. As eager as we are, slashing through them all on a Monday may not be doable (or even healthy for our brains). Too much! Balance out your days.

I break my to-do list down into categories:

• must-dos

• goals

• just for me

Or, make an acronym for yourself, like I do. I came up with G.R.A.N.D. (Goals, relax/resets, appointments, needs, and desires).

Place the ones that have an exact day and time on that calendar day first, and then spread out the rest starting with the needs. It’s great to have a need, a goal and a “just for me” for each day.

Maybe give one day a break right in the middle of the week so you have a cushion to catch up (or if you knocked them off the list so far…a happy rest day).

Habit 6: Weekly Aspirations

I tend to always have a project or two going on . . . or a business I am researching and learning to grow. These are not one-and-done list items.

I want to make mini goals and progress on those goals each week to keep me feeling like I’m moving forward.

So I make sure to jot down 1-2 aspirations (or “progress goals”) on each project to reach by the end of the week and celebrate!

Habit 7: Alarms Set for Repeat

I absolutely love the feature on our phones where we can set the alarms for specific days, times, on repeat.

I have no idea how long that has been available! It was a total life-changer for me!

If you have a consistent schedule week-to-week you can even knock this off your weekly list once they are set! I really like how I can even write a message to myself right in the app, such as: “Time to get up!” “Leave in five minutes!”

Have these ready for the week in case of plot twists and forgetting to set alarms last minute. One miss of an alarm can mess up the whole day!

Plus, you are maximizing your time by only doing the task once instead of daily…saving you precious moments! Wa-la!

Habit 8: Budget

It’s inspiring to remind myself of my goals. What are upcoming purchases I want to make sure I have enough for? How was my spending last week?

Having a weekly habit of checking in with myself in this area is just as important as any other area in my life.

It also gives an opportunity to be proud of myself for working for what I have earned and being able to make decisions with my money.

After learning a few lessons with credit cards and overspending in my teens and early twenties, it certainly made it clear that I am the one that can make financial dreams happen.

It starts with my own management of myself in this area.

Keeping it a weekly check-in with myself feels good and moves me forward toward goals (as well as fun rewarding opportunities such as going to HomeGoods on a Friday).

Click on the budget book image below for this awesomely set-up monthly planner that I find really helpful with all the budget areas I like to focus on. Great organization for this Habit Hero!

Just a note: If you happen to get a friendly chuckle or kick out of a little cussing when it comes to “adulting” habits . . . here is the exact planner that I currently have and use routinely.

Habit 9: Clean out Car, Purses and Work Bag

It always feels good to have a little reset each week, right?

And do you find yourself digging deep in your bags and spaces looking for items?

I certainly used to.

Time to bring in a new HABIT HERO and clean those spots out routinely (weekly habit) so there is less to do each time and you can find things easier! It’ll feel more than just good!

Car> Whenever I am getting out of my car and I have an open hand I try to think to grab something I don’t need in the car. This could be trash, stuff that needs to go back in the house, etc.

Or, maybe the car just got a bit messy throughout the week and needs a couple minutes to stick the umbrella back in the seat pocket, etc.

Remember that day you first got the car? Let it feel “new car” neat inside when you get in each week.

Purse/wallet > Weekly, I take just a few minutes to empty my purse or wallet (or both) and take things out I don’t need that is making it heavy and bulky.

I keep a little bit of loose coins in a coin purse/wallet but then put the rest in my “adventure fund” jar. I have the habit of keeping some cash with me, but again put the extra in another safe place so I am not carrying so much.

Placing receipts and business cards handed to me in an organized and in easy access spots in the house is a proactive habit. A good weekly habit to have to maintain order and “find-ability” of all those little things we accumulate.

Have a place for things so they are easy to find and provide plenty of room to add to!

Work bag> Just like a purse, my career woman/work bag (aka teacher bag) gets bulky and full of stuff I don’t need to necessarily be carrying around each day.

Stuff accumulates in there!

I don’t need 5+ pens, three packs of tissues, multiple post-it sets, etc. I keep a good supply of what I routinely use for the week and place the extras where they go in the house/office so I can feel lighter when I carry around my bag.

Habit 10: Organize Spaces for Items (Easy Access)

Brainstorm things you use every single day or week that would save time if they were easy to grab-and-go.

• workout clothes

• water bottles

• shoes

• snacks

• pajamas

Have it so easy to grab that that’s literally all you do!

It saves so much more time than looking in drawers and deciding on your gym outfit when you get home from work or pulling out the pajamas when you’re tired.

Have them in an easy spot for yourself.

I even lay out that day’s item so it’s even faster for me when I’m ready for it. I love little weekly habits like this!

Why I love this Habit Hero

I delight in finding ways/developing habits to maximize my time and stay just a bit ahead of schedule so I am ready to go and not rushing to keep up with myself.

I want to be able to feel organized, make realistic progress on my goals, and soak in the relax time that I can reward myself with.