During the holiday season, it’s crucial to stay organized amidst family gatherings, parties, gift shopping, and blogging. This time of year can feel daunting and overwhelming for anyone, so we’ve asked Jenni Ward of The Gingered Whisk to offer her favorite tips for staying organized!

1. Have a plan

At the beginning of the month I sit down and plan out my editorial calendar for new blog stories and social media posts. Having a plan in place really helps me know what and when to post so I can  ensure I am consistently sharing new content.

2. Create workflows

I have created work flows for myself in how I create content – from researching keywords to photography to promoting. It’s basically a giant check list of all the things I need to do broken down into chunks. I know how long each task will take so I can plan what I need to do based on how much time I have available that day. Workflows really help me prioritize my tasks (writing the story, taking photos, posting content) for Linqia programs.

3. Find an app that works for you

I am a huge fan of Trello for organizing and keeping track of ALL THE THINGS blog related! I plan my editorial calendar, track of links, keep notes, manage log-ins, edit my to-do lists… all  inside Trello. I love that I can use it on my phone or my desktop, so I always have it with me. I also keep a small notebook in my purse so when I have a moment (like waiting in the preschool line or at swim lessons) I can write out posts and emails.

4. Maintain the perfect balance

Finding the right balance between my personal life and work is critical for me. I am a stay at home mom first, so it is important that when I am with my girls I am focused and present in their lives. I have scheduled work hours during the week (both before they wake up and after they go to bed, as well as for a few hours in the week while they are in school). I utilize my time by having specific tasks for each time I can work, so that when I can work, I know exactly what I need to do and can hustle my way through my to-do list. Maintaining this balance is key, especially during the holiday season when things always get a little (or a lot!) more hectic.