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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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Thinking ahead is a cornerstone of productivity, right? This concept comes up a lot in relation to work and staying on top of your tasks. But it can be equally powerful when it comes to your personal life.

Yep, I want you to spend more time looking out for “future you.” There are so many ways that prior planning can save you time and stress in the future.

And anything that takes stress out of your life is a win in my book! Burnout is a real thing and if we plan ahead we can reduce it greatly. Here are some concrete ideas for ways that taking action now to help “future you” be less stressed and more efficient: 

Vacation:

• Block days off in advance on your calendar so you actually take the vacation. If you end up making other plans, use those days as mental health days. 
• Call ahead to your hotel to have them add in any specific things that will make you more comfortable (empty mini fridge, humidifier, etc).
• When you return from vacation, refill your toiletries and makeup immediately so you’re ready for your next trip. 
• Schedule food delivery for the day you get back. That way, you don’t need to run right out to grab groceries.
• Schedule a cleaning service or clean the house right before you leave so you’ll come back to a clean home. 

Health:

• Book your annual check-ups in advance so then you don’t have to wait if there’s no availability.
• Fill out your paperwork before your visit so you don’t need to do it in the office.
• Write yourself a letter to be opened in the future if you want to remind yourself of how you’re feeling in a specific moment. I did this before I left my job and recently when I went on a spa vacation with my college roommate. It’s so helpful to remind yourself what challenges you’ve worked through and what taking good care of yourself feels like. Check out my book Listful Living for more on this. 

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Fun:

• Log all birthdays, anniversaries and important dates as tasks on your list. If a gift is involved, put it onto the list for 1-2 weeks prior to that date.
• Make reservations for hard-to-get into restaurants months in advance and then invite friends for an impromptu treat. 
• Keep a running list of restaurants to try and books to read so you don’t have to research later.

Household:

• Sign up for delivery/subscription services for products you use repeatedly in your household. This will vary depending on your needs — it could be dog food, supplements, wines, fresh flowers, or whatever you find yourself wishing could be magically restocked. 
• Make a “second batch” when you’re cooking meals that freeze well, like chili or meatloaf. That way you’ll have something ready to go on busy nights!
• Make a cooking schedule for the week ahead with linked recipes so you don’t need to stress over what to cook.
• Set up a separate email address for retail accounts/anyone who will send you spam emails.

I chatted more about strategies to help “future you” on PIX11 News — you can check out my full segment here.

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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