It is hard to imagine that 2016 will be here in 6 weeks. Let’s welcome the New Year with eagerness, energy and positive attitudes! Between now and the end of the year, I will share a tip, trick or thought to motivate you to embrace 2016. Take it with a grain of salt. Maybe it’ll resonate with you, maybe it won’t, but if you don’t enjoy the start of the New Year, you have no one to blame but yourself.

2016 New Year's Resolution #1: Plan Efficiently
What does plan efficiently mean? It means to perform or function in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort.

How can you plan efficiently? Here are some ways you can plan efficiently, feel free to cut and paste with your own preferences or passions.

1. Take 5. Set aside time to organize and prioritize your day. In as little as 5-minutes, you can plan your day, reduce stress, ease anxiety and be productive. Put your to-do list on a piece of paper, on your iCal, in your favorite app or voice memo. When you take 5 and plan your day, you'll be able to check off your to-do's and feel accomplished.

2. Family Calendar. You should have all the activities, drop offs and pick ups, appointments, travel schedules and commitments of all your family members in at least one location. On any given day, our children open up the iCal app and see who is going where and when. They know when there is a short turnaround time or they have downtime.

3. 3-4 hour increments. Hone in on your day, opposed to looking at the big picture. The big picture is overwhelming, so bite off small chunks, and one at a time, you’ll feel accomplished and increase productivity. In Matthew 6:34, we are instructed, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.

4. Prioritize commitments. Family wedding this Friday and Saturday, a ballet fundraiser on Sunday, One Life Radio Show on Wednesday and Ancestry project the next Monday. Our family Christmas cards can wait. Focus on projects or commitments that require immediate attention. The rest can take a back seat to what's staring you in the face now.

Ready to plan efficiently? Take 5, keep up with a family calendar, focus on 3-4 hour chunks at a time and prioritize your commitments. Start today so when 2016 comes, you’ll be proficient and efficient.

Next week, we’ll talk about blood pressure triggers. Start thinking about what makes your blood boil and stay tuned for tips, tricks and thoughts.

Niccole Maurici, University Park mom of four and former certified personal trainer, is the co-founder and creator of the StrongestMom.com website and fitness videos, which promote values important to moms: encouragement, support, positive thinking, and dedication.  To learn more visit our website strongestmom.com.