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5 Things I'm Doing To Set Myself Up for Success

April 16, 2018 Amy Richards
choose to shine

Everyone's definition of what success looks like will be different, but in this context I really just mean making life easier for myself. Keeping my day free of obstacles so I can do everything I want without too much effort. To complete as much of my to do list as possible. To eat food that we have cooked at home rather than getting takeaway. To not spend money on unnecessary things. For me, that makes for a happier, more successful life. So, here's what I do to set myself up for that... 

1.  I Write a To Do List 

You can't get everything done on your to do list if you don't know what's actually on the list. I don't have a great system for lists - I've tried TeuxDeux and ToDoist but neither has replaced my love of a simple pen and paper list, and the satisfaction I get from crossing things off. I really want a planner (I love Get to Work Book but just can't justify the shipping costs right now) so I can keep them all in one place, but for now I just have notebooks upon notebooks, which works okay. The important part is getting things out of your brain and onto a list so you can stop worrying about *what* you need to do, and just get on with, you know, doing it. 

2. I Ask For Help 

In our household, there is too much to do for just one person. Factor in things like blogging and podcasting, and I'd be run ragged if I did it all. So, I ask for help. Paul obviously has things he needs to do, too, but when I know there are bigger tasks to do in the house or I need a little bit of time to write blog posts, I make sure to ask for a bit of help. No man is an island, and all that. 

3. I Meal Plan 

A hangry Amy is not a successful Amy. And a hangry Amy also doesn't make good or financially astute decisions about what to eat. So meal planning, as boring and arduous as it is, is essential. It means I know what's for dinner before I start the day and I can prepare accordingly. I plan meals that work with what's on the calendar - so quick, easy dinners or pre-prepared food for busy days and slightly more time consuming things on quiet days. Ultimately, we're all happier if we eat well and so this one task definitely helps reduce a lot of stress. 

4. I Avoid Overbooking Myself

There have been times in my life when I was out three or four nights a week and then had something planned at the weekend, too. And that was fantastic and fun, and maybe something that will happen again, but right now? It's just not possible. Which is actually a blessing in disguise, because it's created more time and space in my life.  It means I can get better sleep (as far as I can with a baby in tow) and get little things done in the evenings so my days are freed up. 

5. I Prepare for Tomorrow Today 

This sounds like a cheesy self-help quote, but what it really means things like prepping meals ahead of time, if needed, or packing Ben's bag for nursery the night before. We keep a fairly organised Google Calendar situation so we always know what's coming up at home and at work. I try and write and schedule blog posts ahead of time, and have a little bank of photos for Instagram, too. That way, if I have a busy day or something unexpected happens, it doesn't throw absolutely everything off for the rest of the week. 

How do you set yourself up for success? 

In Thoughts & Opinions Tags 2018
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Hello!

My name's Amy. 

 I live in Leeds with my husband, Paul, our son, Benjamin, and our cat, Tuna Fey. 

This blog is a little snapshot of my life, just as it is right now. It's a collection of many things; from motherhood and family to recipes, crafts, books and interiors.

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Do you know what’s really great? Not being pregnant in the hot weather. I’ve rediscovered a bunch of favourite clothes from the summer before last, like these coral jeans and my tropical print jumpsuit. Spent today in the park with some pals and now we’re having a barbecue cooked by my in-laws. I hope you’re having a similarly happy Saturday 😘
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It’s amazing what 15 minutes a day of practice will do for you... Keeping this mantra in mind as I think about branching out into different coloured inks and card over the coming week. You can only get better if you try, right? 
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One more #blueskyblooms photo from this glorious couple of days. Today we picnicked in our garden with two of our best pals, Ben tried his first ice lolly (not a fan) and I ran my fastest 3k so far this year. The sunshine makes me so happy - it makes me wonder what my life would be like if I lived in California and this was the weather every day... _______________________
#tfispring #signsofspring #botanicalpickmeup #thefloralseasons #myhappyviews #reclaimthehappy #chattycaptioncommunity #alliseeispretty #thisprettyengland #seeingthepretty #abmhappylife
It may sound silly, but when the sun is shining there’s no place I’d rather be than right here in Leeds. Everyone is in such a good mood, spilling out of every cafe and pub into the streets and it just fills me with joy. 
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If you ever feel like getting a little message in the post, drop me a DM and I’ll send you this card with a little note from me.
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These are the days, aren’t they? It’s funny how many firsts Ben still had ahead of him - today was the first time he’s really needed suncream, the first time he’s worn summer clothes, the first really hot day of his life (he was born in July but the weekend he was born was the one where it started raining... and then didn’t stop) and the first time playing in the garden. Such normal things but extraordinary for him! 
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My baby’s been complaining for two solid hours now, I’ve accidentally overbooked myself for the rest of the week which is stressing me out, and the boiler cut out twice during my shower BUT the sun is shining and we’re off the hang out in a friend’s garden for the day which will perk me up no end. ☀️☀️☀️
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If you ever feel like getting a little message in the post, drop me a DM and I’ll send you this card with a little note from me.
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All content on Amy Elizabeth is copyrighted and was created by me, unless otherwise stated. Any products that have been sent/gifted will be marked clearly with a * and all sponsored posts, advertisements and paid partnerships with brands will be disclosed Some (but not all) of the links on Amy Elizabeth are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small amount of money on items purchased via those links at no extra cost to yourself. 

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