This monthly tasks post is sponsored by Tampax and Always. All content and opinions are 100% my own.
Top: Amazon Star V-Neck Tee (XS / TTS) – (similar)
Bottom: AE High-Waisted Jegging (24 x-short / size down)
Headphones: Sudio Regent II Over-Ear c/o (similar, similar, splurge)
Phone: Amazon Cell Phone Stand
Cup: Corkcicle x Rifle Paper Co. Lively Tumbler
Frames: Target Gold Gallery Frame
Can you believe it’s August already?? While 2020 has been one of the slowest years, it’s also been one of the fastest years — does that even make sense? I know that with all the time I’ve been spending at home lately, sometimes the days start blending together, but there’s just something about the fresh start of a new month that gets me excited!
Over the last few months, I’ve become much more deliberate in how I prepare myself when a new month comes along. I’ve noticed that when I go into the month with a clear focus and a plan, it’s helped tremendously with my productivity as well as feeling less anxious overall! Keep reading for my list of 5 things I do at the beginning of each month to set myself up for success.
5 Monthly Tasks I do at the Beginning of Each Month
Do Some Housekeeping
Top: Heart Print Ruffle Blouse (similar, similar, similar)
Bottom: Ann Taylor ‘Marino’ Tie Waist Shorts (00P) – (similar)
Earrings: similar circle hoops
First things first: I like to get the least exciting tasks out of the way first, and that means just a little bit of housekeeping to make sure everything runs smoothly for the next month. At minimum, that means checking to make sure I have my meal recipe delivery kits scheduled out and household essential items are stocked up on. Of course, I always double check to see that I’m loaded on tampons and pads as any shortage of those items would for sure result in embarrassment on my side!
SuperValu is currently running a promotion on my go-to brands Tampax tampons and Always pads — clip the $2 to save from now until this Saturday, August 8th! You can also find this deal in the BrandSaver weekly paper, available inside SuperValu stores.
Have A Retrospective
I kinda nerd out when it comes to project managements and many of you guys know that I also work full-time as a software engineering consultant where manage a small team for my corporate job. I’ve transitioned two teams that I’ve led to use agile and it’s been a game changer every time. I decided I needed better time and work management when it came to my influencer side hustle so of course, I turned to agile! I could do a whole post on how I plan my “sprints” as well as use scrum for budgeting time / complexity — it gets me super excited so let me know if there’s any interest on that topic!
But, back to retrospectives. One of my favorite parts of the agile process is having a “retrospective” at the end of a work cycle to reflect back and see what worked, what didn’t work, and any takeaways that need to be implemented going forward. This translates into 3 categories that I fill in: Start, Stop and Continue. It’s super simple but honestly it forces me to pause, reflect, and brainstorm — so important regardless of whether it’s in a corporate setting or you’re getting serious about your side hustle!
Plan Ahead + Update My Calendar
Our calendars fill up pretty fast around here, especially as Adrian and I need to juggle commitments for the kids alongside our schedule. At the start of every month, I like to take note of any important dates including deadlines, birthdays, and special events. These are usually the non-negotiables that need to be prioritized each month, so I try to make sure that I tailor my schedule around these dates.
We make heavy use of our family calendar to communicate our own individual dates — I make sure to check with Adrian if I have any commitments where I may need his help at home or with the kids as well.
Set Goals to Learn Something New
weekly family bike rides have been a favorite new healthy habit
It can be easy to get comfortable, so I always set goals to challenge myself. Learning something new is something that always gets me excited and pushes me out of my comfort zone. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe, listening to a new podcast, trying a new workout, or just committing to a new healthy habit. At the start of quarantine, I committed to weekly family bike rides which have been such a fun new tradition to enjoy with the kids!
Visualize + Commit
Top: Amazon Star V-Neck Tee (XS / TTS) – (similar)
Bottom: AE High-Waisted Jegging (24 x-short / size down)
Headphones: Sudio Regent II Over-Ear c/o (similar, similar, splurge)
Phone: Amazon Cell Phone Stand
Cup: Corkcicle x Rifle Paper Co. Lively Tumbler
Frames: Target Gold Gallery Frame
And lastly, it is so important to spend a little time committing to and visualizing your goals. Half the battle of making goals happen is to visualize it happening — it’s a mindset!
What are some of your monthly tasks? Let me know in a comment below!
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Okay, your office space is GOALS! I find it’s so important for me to list out all my goals for the new month ahead, so I can visualize my month! I haven’t been the best at consistently updating and following my calender, but you’re inspiring me! Thank you for reminding me!
What a fun post! I love planning out my calendar and making goals t the beginning of each month!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
I think this is such a smart concept. Scheduling out monthly things like this can really help keep you on track.
I do soemthing simliar to this, and it really helps me stay on track. With certain things that need to be done periodically, doing them at the beginning at the month, it helps you stay on track.
I definitely need to start doing a little cleaning at the beginning of each month. It sucks to have to do a ton of cleaning all at once.
Love this! Yes, I always feel so much better when I update my calendar and planner at the beginning of each month! Xx.
yessss these are great tips to start off a new month! i love to take a step back and visualize how the month will go. sometimes it flies by and it is easy to miss! so its important to do these things at the beginning of the month.
This is a fab idea to have a monthly check in. I need to start doing this!
i try to do some planning and create goals for the month. but i should try to be more determined. love your jeggings and that they come in short!
This is a great idea to have a monthly check in plans. I need to start doing this. Thanks for sharing
So interesting you posted this because I too have recently been starting each month like new! I make sure the first weekend of the month I do a deep clean in the bathroom and kitchen, go through the mail one more time and get rid of piles, and just do a once over around the house picking up anything that is out of place! It’s a new habit for me and I like it!
I love the concept of visualize and commit! I think this is the very thing that helps me to dream bigger and better and focus on making it a reality.
Definitely agree it’s important to make goals for the month. Love the dry erase calendar!
Lovely ways to start off a new month! Thank you for sharing your routine with us :). Here’s to a lovely August!
All great things to do at the beginning of every month! I actually do a number of them already.
Yes, i always do cleaning at the beginning of the month. It will help you reduce your stress everytime you see your house clean.
Yeah that does make sense, I know exactly what you mean when you’re talking about time standing still and just swooshing by! Its crazy!
Wonderful suggestions, I have to start setting goals to make things more easier !
My husband is a software professional and I constantly hear these terms from him- agile and scrum! 😁 Thanks for sharing these tips dear 😊 Love your outfits ❤️
These activities sound enjoyable and productive! Thanks for these suggestions, I’ll be sure to keep them in mind!
These are definitely important things to do each month. I try to do some serious housekeeping and definitely plan time to reflect back on what worked during the previous month and what I need to focus on changing so I can grow. Great post here!
I love these ideas, you’ve inspired me to change my monthly routine too.
These are practical and implementable tips. i would definitely give it a try next month.
❥ tanvii.com
These are awesome suggestions! I also couldn’t help staring at those cute baby blue-colored tops!
Really useful and great tips! I love the agile method! I worked for a company that implemented it & then I started adopting it into my personal work and it keeps me more organized and realistic about things!
Great post and some great ideas! I could be better at planning my month in advance, (I do so much on the fly!). Thank you for sharing! xoxo, Sarah
Love this! Definitely all about planning at the beginning of each month. We have a big calendar in our kitchen and I write out every commitment or activity and trip we have planned to keep us on top of it and also know not to over commitment or fill out schedules.
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
Nnnooooo…not really. But I retrospect and introspect, every single day.
I set goals too at the beginning of every month.
I love taking some time to reflect on the last month before moving forward to the next. It really helps put things into perspective for me!
Definitely make goals for the month is good. thanks for sharing.
Great tips! I need to start making some time to be retrospective at the start of the month. What a great idea!
I do a lot of finance stuff at the beginning of the month! I fill in blog expenses from the last month and what I got paid and also set my personal budget for the month!
i’m a planner, if i don’t plan then i’m lost. i do a chore chart for the family at the beginning of each month.
I’ve been using Tampax for YEARS, and it is my favorite. The organic ones are the ones I use now, but I have always loved all of their additions. I like how you pieced this post together, since it’s important to have a routine. We have routines where we do something at the beginning of the month, end of the month/week, etc and I think those routines help!
Thanks for sharing these tips! I like to plan out my calendar as well and make sure we are well stocked on the necessities.
It’s always great to start each month fresh!
someone please recommend me Five simple tasks to do to stretch my time and money in a new month? hehehe! kinda in a crossroad now. fvck corona. hehe! keep inspiring love!
These are really useful tips and I am glad that you have shared your efficiency tips in a blog post. I wonder how you manage to find time to do something new every month despite a hectic schedule!
Admittedly this is something that I need to work on and is always a work in progress for me. I do so much on the fly and I would definitely benefit from planning out my month better! xoxo, Sarah
I have been wanting one of these acrylic wall calendars! Maybe when we have more things to plan for, lol. Until then I’ll keep using my trusty iPhone calendar 🙂
This is a very helpful post and for sure easy to follow by for personal and professional goals!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
These are all such great Ideas! I’m taking notes 😉 Definitely going to put these into practice!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
So fun! At the beginning of every month my husband and I fill out a giant calendar that goes on our fridge and plan our budget!
Setting time aside to make sure I have all things planned out for the new month, make me feel so accomplished!
I love sitting down at the beginning of the month to plan out my month. The more organized I am, the better I feel!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Visualization is definitely important for everything we do so, props on that to you. I’d like to learn more about Agile, dm me when you have a moment.
I totally agree with you. Planning and setting goals are very important at the beginning of the month. I really need to start following it. There is so much work piled up these days, I have to follow your tips.