Productive Women Use These 5 Simple Tools Every Single Day
This post: 5 tools productive women use every day.
Have you ever noticed how many tools a builder uses?
We’ve had a lot of remodeling going on around our “farmhouse” the past few months.
I’m amazed at all the tools it takes to build- or rebuild- something.
I won’t even try to list all the tools because, honestly, I don’t even know what they are.
I just know that a smart builder has a stash of tools.
Well, I’m no builder… but I do have tools.
And I’m not talking about hammers and saws and ladders.
I’m a woman learning to live well, and I find that building a meaningful life happens a lot better when I use tools.
A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her hands.
Proverbs 14: 1
Today, I’m going to share five tools that I think every productive woman needs.
At least, I know I need these tools!
The following five help me build a better heart, a better home, a better life.
A Great Planner
I’ve always loved planners but, honestly, I had a hard time finding a planner that worked well for me.
I juggle a few roles, so I need something that has room for
- my home business schedule
- our homeschooling schedule
- our ministry schedule
- my personal stuff (like this blog)
I know… that’s a lot of schedules, right?
In 2018, I discovered The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley.
I gave it a try, and have been using it ever since.
I love The Simplified Planner for lots of reasons- you can read about why I’m brand loyal right here.
In summary, there’s plenty of space for planning, scheduling and even making lists and journaling.
It accommodates my busy ministry-family-modern-homemaker life, so that makes it a great tool for me.
A Pretty Journal
I’ve kept a journal since I was about fifteen years old.
Writing isn’t everyone’s thing, but a journal is a good idea for lots of reasons:
- record your prayers (and answered prayers)
- brain storm ideas
- vent
- make lists
- write down memories for safe keeping
There’s just something special about starting a fresh journal on the first day of a year!
A pretty journal is a must-have planning and processing tool for me.
A Timer
If you don’t use a timer much, let me encourage you to give it a try!
Here’s why:
On those crazy days when you just have so much to do that you don’t really feel like doing anything, a timer is your best friend.
- Set your timer for 15 minutes (or however long you like), and work as hard as you can until the timer goes off.
- If you tend to spend too much time doing some things (Facebook, anyone?), set your timer… and when it goes off, get off.
You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish with this simple time management tool!
Short, focused spurts of effort go a long in way in making your day productive.
A Beautiful Space
Cultivating a beautiful space in my home, my life, and my heart…
This is one of the most important tools a productive woman can learn to use.
I wrote an entire post on this idea of needing a beautiful place:
Yes, I need a beautiful place.
Tucked away from the struggles and chaos of a whirlwind world. Like a quiet coffee cafe on the corner of a busy street… a gentle place to cultivate and nurture all that is lovely and wholesome.
There is enough negativity, fear, and trouble in the world… I won’t allow it to take root in the corners of my life, as well.
I choose to welcome the quiet, peaceful beauty of Christ within my home, my heart, my mind.
A productive woman knows the power of beautiful spaces to refresh and re-center her soul.
A Few Chic Outfits
How are clothes a tool? you ask.
Consider this:
What do you immediately understand about a stewardess in a classy skirt suit?
Or a mail carrier in a gray-and-white-uniform?
A chef in a crisp white coat, or a nurse in colorful scrubs?
What we wear makes a statement about who we are.
I believe this: the outfits a woman chooses to wear on a daily basis say a lot about who she is.
And, most importantly, who she believes she is.
Whether you’re a working woman or a full time homemaker, invest a little thought into how you dress every day.
Your wardrobe is a tool, my friend.
Every productive woman will use it wisely and intentionally.
What would you add to this list?
What makes you feel motivated, productive and energized about life?
Love this. Really convicting to me is the space and the clothing. I’m working on the planner and journal part the past year, with some inconsistency. And the timer, life changer. Use it for myself for my kids. Its amazing! Working on developing a space, in a small home with 4 littles running around its difficult! The clothing, that will take some pondering and prayer 😀