Often I’m asked, “What’s your secret to juggling life?” Most people wonder how I manage being a mom of five kids and having a full time writing career.
My days are jam-packed with teaching my kids, and my afternoons and evenings are crazy-busy with running them to all of their various activities.
My Fabulous Five!
In addition, I try to squeeze in all of the responsibilities that come with being an author. Not only am I continuing to write historical romances with Bethany House Publishers, but this year I’ll also be branching into YA (young adult) and historicals with two new publishers. If all goes as planned, I’ll release three books and one novella in 2015.
The truth is every year gets busier, but the hours in my day never increase. So how do I do it all? How can I possibly juggle everything that demands my time and attention?
What’s my secret? Well, honestly, I don’t really have a secret. Sometimes I juggle life very poorly, bumble around, and drop balls.
But at the beginning of 2015, as I evaluate how I juggle life, I narrowed down three principles that guide me:
Principle #1: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
In other words, I try to keep up with things as they come up—in real life and work. Whatever the job might be (whether answering emails or washing dirty dishes), I do it when I’m thinking about it and it’s fresh on my mind, instead of putting it off for later.
When we can check something off our to-do list (whether written or mental), we have greater energy and more capacity to freely embrace other things.
Principle #2: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
Put another way, I work hard at my priorities and whatever I commit to doing. I labor diligently during the day to be a good teacher to my children, challenging them with a rigorous education. But I don’t expect more of them than I expect of myself.
Whatever writing project I start, I focus on it, labor over it, and give it my 100% best effort. I live out Ecclesiastes 9:10 by making a conscious decision that whatever I find to do, I do it with all my might, soul, and heart.
Principle #3: “Live intentionally, clinging to what matters, letting go of the rest.”
I can’t do everything I’ve done in the past. Not even the vital, most important things—like cooking dinner every night or making grocery lists. I’ve had to figure out what things are critical, be intentional about doing those things, but then be okay with not doing the others.
It’s all too easy to get swept away in the day to day rush of activities and responsibilities. But instead of being carried along, I want to stop, go against the flow, and carefully pick and choose to do those things that matter most at this point in my life.
~Summary: I’m not perfect. I fail often. But whenever I do fall down, I eventually pick myself back up and keep on striving to live after the high principles that are set before me.
How about YOU?! What are some principles that you live by that help you juggle life? And by the way, Happy New Year! 🙂
Jody Hedlund
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Thinking of writing down your 3 principles so I can remember them. I will, actually. Very smart points. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year, Jody.
Thank you, Ganise! Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
Hi Jody,
I just read Out of The Storm yesterday and loved it. I rated it 5 stars on my goodreads board. So Good!
I pretty much prioritize my life the way you do. I’m fairly organized so I try not to let things linger that need doing. I find making list helps me to get the most important things done each day. The undone stuff can just roll over to another day. That way I have a sense of accomplishment each day for things achieved.
Beautiful family photo, God bless you for sowing into their lives and education each day. There’s nothing more important than a Godly generation being raised up! Praying for a blessed new year for you and your family.
Hi Tracey,
I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the novella! And thank you so much for leaving a review! Sounds like you have a good system for prioritizing your day! Thanks for the sweet words about my family! 🙂
Jody, this was so encouraging! You’ve given us permission to not be that perfect wife/mother/volunteer that we all feel we should strive to be. I’ve accepted I can no longer do it all because I FINALLY added writing back into my life, but there can be guilt. I feel like you read my mind, then took the mumbo-jumbo and developed three clearly defined rules for me. Thank you! This is so perfect! Blessings on your writing and juggling in 2015!
Hi Mindy,
Oh good! I’m SO glad that you found the post inspiring! I love knowing that! It’s true that our cultural puts so much pressure on us as women to do it all and do it all well. When we can’t live up to the expectations, it’s so easy to feel guilty! Blessings to you and your writing and juggling too! 🙂
Oh dear 3rd time lucky I hope!..my post keeps “running away”:)
Bouquets to you Jody, for being such a wonderful Mom …..especially with your very hectic schedule.
Your children look so happy and well adjusted, in fact, they look just how many Mums would want their children to be!
I’m thrilled to hear about your new books for young adults ……..I have two 13 year old grand daughters whom I know will love reading them so please keep on writing.:)
I would like to wish you and all your family, a very Happy and prosperous 2015
Hugs from “down under”
Rosie
Hi Rosie!
Thank you for the sweet words! I’m sorry your post was giving you such difficulty! I hope your grand daughters will enjoy my new books! I wish you and your dear family a Happy New Year too! 🙂
Hi Jody
I find if I make notes of the things that I need to do each day that they usually get done. However I don’t always write those notes down. This morning I made a mental note of the things I needed to do so will see how that works. I’m in the process of taking decorations down. Hate to do it but it’s that time of year . I loved your advice that if there’s something needs done don’t put it off but get right to it. Better to have it done than staring you in the face all day.
I love your family photo. One can sure tell they all come from the same family.
Happy New Year.
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
I have a weekly to do list that helps me keep on track with everything that I have to do for the week. It takes the pressure off the daily list, but still keeps me on track. Thanks for the kind words about my family! They all do look alike, don’t they? 🙂
I turned 60 in 2014 and I’ve realized that with age to let the little things go that don’t mean a hill of beans in the long run. In other words don’t sweat the small stuff. I guess if I really sat down and thought about all that’s on my and my husband’s plate I might go “crazy”. So I take one day at a time and one task at a time. And to escape for a few moments each day I read and pretend I’m living someone else’s life maybe in a different time and place. Love your books Jody!
I love your philosophy, Gail! Sometimes it’s hard not to sweat the small stuff, but it’s a really good principle for life! And your reading escape sounds perfect! 🙂
Loved your three principles. I am finding what works for me is to be realistic and realize I can’t do everything. Hard sometimes but if the leaves don’t get raked they will be there tomorrow!
Hi Linda,
Yes, the leaves will definitely be there tomorrow. I’ve learned that too! 🙂
Hi Jody. I think we all have to learn our own way to juggle but being a mom really teaches us how to do it.
My only real thought is what I have experienced in my own life. Everything goes right in the day (as far as normal craziness) if I spend my quiet time in the Lord—First. He is always First. All else falls into place and He can lead a follower. He can’t lead a sheep that goes his own way. At the end of the day He has to get out His staff and drag her back in, sometimes chock full of dirt and brambles. (<;
Hi Jody, thank you for sharing how you try to make your day to day schedule run more smoothly. I’ve raised children my own and foster children, but this last year I became my mother’s primary caregiver and I can’t keep all of those balls up in the air. It never fails, but the person that gets dumped on the most is me. I’ve found that it is too difficult to plan time for myself so I don’t. I know that isn’t healthy so this year my goal is to plan time for myself whether for reading, writing or crafting. I’m guessing even micro minutes are better than none. Hope everyone has a blessed 2015!
Happy New Year, sweet Jody!! 🙂
Your kiddos are PRECIOUS!!
I am amazed at all you do (besides writing award-winning books!) and I’m sure
you are an inspiration to many (especially those moms who still have children at home).
CONGRATS on your upcoming releases this year – – how exciting! I will certainly watch for them.
One more thing – – a highlight of my 2014 was meeting YOU (although briefly, LOL) at ACFW in St. Louis! 🙂
When I attended the wonderful workshop you and Karen presented, you were SO sweet (just like I knew you’d be!).
Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo