“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and – SNAP – the job’s a game!” //Mary Poppins

Ladies, ever heard of Mary Poppins? The oh so echanting nanny with her prim umbrella and a spoonful of sugar at the ready? Her whimsical world is so delightful that makes you wish that you were a child again – but even as an adult, you might just get swept away in her world. If you haven’t heard of Mary Poppins then you’ve been living under a rock, but don’t worry, I’ll share my secretes with you!

Take a look at what you can achieve when you’re organized, kind, and firm.

Whether you’re raising children or flying jumbo jets, there’s a lot you can learn about time management from Mary Poppins. Mary set the gold standard for efficiency long before nannies began starring in reality TV shows.

Mary Poppins’ Techniques to Copy

1. Hire carefully. The Banks’ family went through 6 nannies in 4 months before Mary Poppins arrived. Save time by focusing on work that matches your skills. If you’re good with numbers, handle the family finances while your spouse does the cooking.
2. Spoon out the sugar. Like the song suggests, a little sugar makes it easier to swallow your medicine. Focus on the fun aspects of any task. You’ll enjoy strategizing when you turn a job into a game. Motivate yourself with a reward.
3. Sing and dance. Speaking of fun – it’s known that time flies when you’re having fun, and music certainly makes time fly, even when you’re doing something tedious. Design an invigorating playlist you can listen to while you clean the bathroom.
4. Start out strong. As Mary puts it, “Well begun is half done.” Create early momentum with small victories that drive you to keep trying.
5. Clean your space. I know this one can be a challenge, especially when you have tiny people making chaos around the house, but a clear space makes a clear mind. Look, it doesn’t have to be all tidy but neat surroundings encourage productivity. Therefore, clear the papers off your desk, put some toys away and organize your kitchen cabinets.
   
6. Resist hurrying. Mary wins a horse race by riding her merry-go-round steed at a steady pace, and politely asking the other jockeys to let her pass. How cool isn’t that!? Rushing causes stress and errors so take a break and slow down when pressure is building up.
7. Go to bed. Okay I must admit – I need to get better at this one. I know how life can be, sometimes we just need some time for ourselves after the little ones have gone to sleep – which we totally deserve but don’t stay up too late. You’ll function better during your waking hours when you consistently enjoy a full night’s sleep. Try to stick to the same bedtime, even on weekends and holidays (we’ll get there).
8. Be flexible. Although she set out to buy fish, Mary adjusts her plans immediately when she finds out that a fit of laughter has trapped her uncle on the ceiling. Be prepared to change your schedule because life is unpredictable.
9. Walk briskly (when you can). Mary covers more ground in less time thanks to her confident stride. Straighten your back, swing your arms, and hold your head up. Good posture will keep you alert and energized.
10. Move on. As much as Mary loves the Banks family, she knows that her mission is to train them to get along on their own. Once she restores harmony, she moves on to her next job. Same thing should be applied in life – know when it’s time to move on.

Mary Poppins’ Techniques to Avoid

1. Practice humility. Mary is fond of saying that she is practically perfect in every way. Most of us need to allocate our resources so we can reserve our strongest efforts for top priorities.
2. Bring the appropriate tools. When Mary needs a floor lamp, she reaches into her bottomless carpet bag. In the real world, it pays to think ahead so you’ll have all the equipment handy for tackling any job.
3. Climb the stairs. Mary reaches her destinations quickly by sliding up and down banisters. You’ll be better off without resorting to risky shortcuts.
   

Let Mary Poppins serve as your inspiration. Skillful time management works like magic. You’ll accomplish more personally and professionally.