I am reminding myself as the summer is beginning to wind down and August is rapidly approaching that I can do all that I have before me if I just take small steps. I met with a friend yesterday who reminded me of this and thought you might need the encouragement as well. Take one thing at a time and if you don’t know where to begin consider the following:

• Write a list of what needs to be done.
• Set reasonable goals. Don’t try to tackle a year’s worth of lesson plans for 4 children in one day.
• List the tasks in order of importance.
• Dedicate time to accomplish these tasks (I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but oftentimes I think a task will take a shorter amount of time than it actually does!)
• Do you feel like the task is too big? Break that down into smaller steps. For instance: 1. Clean the House A. Clean bathrooms B. Wash kitchen floor C. Vacuum rugs 2. Laundry A. Sort clothes B. Load washer C. Set timer to get load out of washing machine
• Will the project take longer than you have and you are feeling paralyzed? Set a timer for 20 minutes and see how much you get accomplished. Revisit the task until you complete it.
• Do you need uninterrupted time to get the task done? What about calling a friend or family member and asking them to keep the children for a while. You can reciprocate when they need a day to themselves.
• Give yourself permission to not be Super Mom. Let’s face it, we can’t be all things to all people.
• Celebrate when you accomplish the task. Take a short break, do a victory dance, or eat a piece of chocolate.
• Begin on the next task.

Matthew 6 was a comfort to me this morning, particularly verse 34.”Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”