Tonight was just like any other night at our house. I got home from work, went on a run, played with the girls and helped Rob with dinner. He usually works on dinner while I get my late-afternoon workout in. We were making Hulu Pizzas (an Unger household favorite from The Biggest Loser Cookbook). As always, I was also running around the house picking up, putting things away, changing diapers, etc. - you get the point. Now, before I go on, I'd like to preface this with the fact that I pride myself on my multi-tasking abilities. I have it on my resume, I talk about it in interviews and I do it daily. But tonight I had to ask myself, "Am I really that good at trying to do everything at once?"
I had to ask myself this tonight because I burned the pizza! I know this happens to everyone, but it's proof that, tonight, I wasn't a good multi-tasker. Then I got to thinking, "How often do I do this?" You know, where I think I have everything under control but end of burning the one thing that needed to get done. Tonight, I ended up wasting more time re-doing our dinner instead of making my hungry kids happy in the most efficient way. I haven't figured out the solution to my problem and I don't think I ever will. I will always have a million things to do and a short amount of time to do them. I think the biggest thing I have to take into consideration at home and work are my priorities. What is the most important thing on my list? Are my kids screaming because they are hungry? Then making dinner is the most important thing. Is my marketing department swamped with projects because I don't have enough employees to keep up with the work? Then I need to hire another graphic designer.  I guess this is part of my New Year's Resoultion to effective time-management practices.
Well, Rome wasn't built in a day, right? What are your multi-tasking secrets? Let me know!

 If you are anything like me, then you probably had your New Year's resolution list created long before the clock struck midnight. If I think back real hard, I was probably 12 years old when my last resolution didn't involved some kind of health and body intervention.
Fast forward to New Year's Eve 2010 and I am steering clear of those goals.   This year I am going to focus on time management and organization - specifically in my morning and evening routines. The other day my husband and I were getting ready to head out to a New Year's Day gathering and he mentioned that I "took forever" to get ready. So, I did what any self-respecting wife would do. Merely scoffed in his direction and continued to apply my second coat of mascara.
Was he right? Maybe. Would I admit it? Never. Instead, I devised an action plan to prove him wrong. As I thought more about his accusation, I realized that my biggest problem in the morning is not my three-year-old who refuses to wear anything but the green dress with pink flowers and swirlies on it, or my 18-month-old who likes to think she is a koala bear and cling to me from the minute she wakes - which I love by the way. It is actually the indecisiveness I have each morning with what to wear, should I go on a run, how should I do my hair or can I fold another load of laundry before I leave?
This all may sound silly to you but it's the truth in my life. I'm not sure about you but I have a million and one things in my closet and bathroom that clutters my life and potentially makes me late each morning if I can't find them. So, I spent the weekend organizing these personal spaces in my life and cherry-picked a few things that I know I "cannot live without" each day and placed them in an easy-to-locate place.
Wondering what my must-have products are?  
Mary Kay Timewise Firming Eye Cream - This cream is, quite simply, the bomb. Did you know the area under your eyes is unable to produce oil because there are no glands there? That is why the skin becomes dry and wrinkly as we age. I love this cream and am thankful I have a sister who sells the product. If you're looking for a consultant (shameless plug) check out her website.  
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly w/ cocoa butter - After I use the MK eye cream, I seal it in with Vaseline. Call me crazy - and I don't care if you do - but it's what I do. This product is meant to keep your natural oils in and the elements of the world out. Not only do I use it around my eyes but it's been known to grace my lips, hands, feet (no double-dipping) and my youngest daughter's body. There's a reason it's been around for ages.  
Beautiful Sheer by Estee Lauder - Who doesn't like to smell nice? This is my go-to scent. 'Nuff said.  
Baby Wipes - I keep these in my purse and car because I am constantly on the go and they work out great for wiping up spills or freshening up after a lunch work out session.  
Eyewear - I hate wasting time trying to fix a faulty contact so I also bring extra specs, contact solution and a contact case with me.  
Phone - These days our phones are so much more - camera, clock, MP3 player, video play, and communication tool. I don't know why I haven't done this before but starting this morning I bring my phone into the bathroom with me to keep tabs on time and listen to some music while I get ready.  
Accessories - One of the biggest culprits of my dominating my time is figuring out my outfit for the day. By organizing my scarves, jewelry and hats I am able to take basic wardrobe items and add fun pieces to them without much thought or planning.  
These are the things I incorporate into my daily routine. By de-cluttering my workspace I feel as though I can be much more productive in getting ready in the morning. Obviously getting up earlier and allowing yourself more time is part of the process, too. My plan was well-executed this morning and I had a whole hour with my two girls before I trotted off to work. Bliss.  
What are your time-saving tricks?