I love strategy. I love rituals. They’re like my secret weapons for turning those "what even happened today" vibes into days that actually feel like progress. If you’re tired of being busy but not really getting anywhere, it’s time to get mindful and deliberate with how you spend your time. By incorporating strategies and rituals into your day, you can create a sense of balance and actually make progress on your goals—whether you’re running a business, managing a household, working a 9-to-5, or juggling all the things.

You don't have to implement everything. Take what you love. Toss what you don't. But I definitely recommend implementing some kind of structure for your day - every single day. My hope for you is that you can feel like you are killing the game every week, and that you feel like you're getting closer to your goals and building the best life for yourself.

Start Your Day with Intention

How you kick off your day can totally set the tone for everything else. And honestly? Starting your day by grabbing your phone or checking emails is not the best way. Nope. Don’t do it. Your morning is sacred—it should be about YOU.

Why Morning Rituals Matter

After my morning routine (which I break down on the blog and in my videos), I get ready and settle into my workspace with my Jumpstart Ritual. Here’s what my Jumpstart looks like:

Get Organized (15 minutes): Decide on your top three "must-do" tasks for the day. These are your non-negotiables—the things that make you feel like you’ve accomplished something real.

Top 3 Tasks
Review Calendar for appointments, meetings, etc
Time Block for realistic task completion and breaks

Get Inspired (15 minutes): Fuel yourself with whatever lights you up. For me, it’s a quick YouTube video from one of my favorite business mentors, affirmations, or blasting a feel-good song. Find what lights you up!

Focus on Your Top Three

This one’s been a game-changer for me: narrowing down my focus to just three major tasks that are related to my goals each day. Here’s why it works:

Keeps Overwhelm at Bay: Long to-do lists are overwhelming and make you feel like a failure if you don’t finish everything. By focusing on three priorities, you set yourself up for a win.
Boosts Confidence: Knocking out those top three feels so good and keeps your momentum going.

I started to limit myself to just three things a day because I was getting super overwhelmed and at the end of the day, if I didn't check off all 500 things, I was really hard on myself. I am a super overachiever and I was just kind of feeling shitty at the end of my days because I wasn't “doing enough”. So I decided to limit my focus to three things that I could do in my day. If at the end of the night, I only got those three things done, I was good with me.

If I wrap up early, I’ll knock out smaller tasks—like folding laundry or clearing out emails. But if I don’t? That’s okay—my big three were the focus.

Non-Negotiables, To Do’s, and Tiny Tasks

Top Three Non-Negotiables: These are the must-do tasks that move the needle on your goals.
Other To Do’s: Tasks that are important but can wait if needed.
Tiny Tasks: Mindless tasks like admin work, folding laundry, or tidying up. Set aside time for these to keep life manageable.

Use Tools to Stay Organized

I live for a good planning system. Whether you’re a pen-and-paper kind of person (like me) or all about digital tools, find something that works for you. Here’s my setup:

Paper Planner: For detailed daily plans. (My two alternating faves are the Passion Planner or Full Focus Planner)
Trello: For project management and tracking progress. (Trello is my go-to 2nd brain; I dump everything in here from business projects, recipes, vacation plans to random ideas and creative thoughts.)
Google Calendar: For scheduling everything.

Seriously, getting stuff out of your head and into a system is a game-changer. Save your mental energy for the important things, like dreaming big and connecting with people you care about. One of the greatest pieces of advice that’s stuck with me is “your brain is an idea center NOT a storage center.”

Time Blocking and Taking Breaks

Time blocking has been a lifesaver. I break my day into focused 45-50 minute work chunks with 10-15 minute breaks in between. And during those breaks? I completely step away—whether it’s walking my dog, grabbing a snack, or having a mini dance session in the kitchen. It’s amazing how much a quick reset helps.

Why Breaks Matter

Stepping away during breaks keeps you from getting fidgety or distracted and helps you return to work with renewed focus and energy. Trust me, you’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish in those 45-minute increments.

Schedule Self-Love Time

My favorite ritual of the day? My "self-love appointment." I’ve stretched my lunch break into a two-hour recharge session. After eating, I’ll do something just for me—whether that’s reading, napping, coloring, singing, or playing outside for a bit - I love to roller skate and ride my bike. It’s my way of filling up my cup.

Finding Time for Yourself

Even if you can only swing 10-15 minutes, do it. You’re worth it. And yes, even with a busy schedule or demanding job, you can carve out time for yourself. Skip the social media scroll or water cooler chatter and invest that time in YOU.

The "Shut It Down" Ritual

Ending the day on a good note is just as important as starting it strong. My "Shut It Down" routine helps me wrap things up and prep for tomorrow:

Review the Day: Cross off what I’ve done and take a moment to celebrate it.
Plan Ahead: Note any meetings or big priorities for the next day.
Tidy Up: Clean your workspace so you start the next day fresh.

Why Closing the Day Matters

This simple ritual helps you end the day feeling accomplished and ready for what’s next. For those of us working from home, it’s especially important to create separation between work and personal life.

Make Space for Joy

One of my goals is to find joy or beauty every single day. Whether it’s a quick coloring session, a dance party, or a walk in the park, these moments remind me to stay present and grateful. I challenge you to do the same—find small ways to make each day brighter.

By building rituals and routines into your day, you can stay organized, feel balanced, and crush your goals while still making time for yourself. Remember, it’s not about doing everything—it’s about finding what works for you and creating a life that feels both productive and joyful.

Final Thoughts

Your day doesn’t have to feel like an endless whirlwind of chaos. With a few intentional rituals and strategies, you can create balance and actually make progress on what matters. And remember, your best looks different every day—that’s totally okay. Be kind to yourself, and don’t forget to celebrate the little wins.

Let’s Stay Connected

If these tips resonated with you, subscribe to the blog by dropping your email below. And for more inspo and strategies, check out TruthatudeTV on YouTube. Let’s keep building the lives we love—together! Want more? Check out this Video | “How to Stop Being Busy & Start Being Balanced”

**None of the products mentioned in this post are sponsored…yet. I only recommend tools and products I actually use and really love.**

How to Stop Being Busy and Create a Balanced Day: Strategies and Rituals for Mindful Productivity