Task batching- a simple way to get sh*t done

🙋‍♀️ I am a task batcher.  I love infusing my strategic mindset to get sh*t done in efficient ways- creating more time for me to do the things that spark my excitement and serenity. It’s one way I nurture my harmonious living.

One of my personal priorities is health- with greater intent to honor nutritional essentials, I’m leveraging a registered dietician and Whole30 resources to become more attuned to nutritionally dense food selection & consumption and investing more intentionally in purpose-aligned conditions for healthier dietary practices.  

With appreciation for efficiency and effectiveness, I’ve found that task batching helps me to keep aligned with my health priority. I’m sharing what I’ve found to be successful in hopes to lend optimism, strategy and success for others with similar priorities.

I use a pre-printed Whole30 grocery list: https://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-shopping-list.pdf, and weekly ads for my local grocery stores to both meal plan and select my items for the week, limiting purchases to the Whole30 items as best as possible.  The list and shopping super early in the morning limits the time I need to invest in grocery shopping as I batch the grocery store stops.

Recognizing that my days are often saturated with various activities, ease of meals and “on the go” food items are key! To ensure alignment with my nutritional health priority, including healthy eating, adequate portions, mindfulness to have last meal of the day by 6 pm, and desire to walk after meals, I know that I need to map out the meals for the week, meal prep and portions pack.

This is where task batching is especially critical. As quickly as possible after grocery shopping, I cut and package my produce for the week’s meals. While I am cutting and bagging my produce, I am cooking/preparing those things (e.g. hard boiled eggs; carrot salad https://simpleandfraiche.com/raw-carrot-salad/) that I know I will use in the week that I can grab easily (e.g. boiled sweet potatoes; wild rice) or simply microwave.  Another tip- repurposing boiled water- e.g. I use the boiled water from the sweet potatoes to hard boil my eggs.

Throughout the week, I can then quickly grab and assemble “on the go” meals & snacks, and readily prepare dinner so that the time saved can be allocated to after dinner walks.  

While the task batching may initially require investing in a larger block of time, it absolutely saves time readying/consuming meals throughout the week and affords time for additional healthy practices