Operations isn’t just for systems and spreadsheets—it’s also the stuff of everyday life. From how we manage our time to how we make small decisions that smooth out the week, it’s all connected.
This monthly series, Ops in Everyday, highlights the tiny process tweaks and small shifts that help things run more easily—whether at work, at home, or somewhere in between. These aren’t big, dramatic changes. They’re the kind of wins that make you think, “Oh… that actually worked better.”
Summer’s here! And whether I love it or otherwise it doesn’t matter because things are changing. (I do mostly love it though! I’m a summer kinda gal.)
My kids are home, the rhythm of our days look different, and I’m reminded (again!) that every season comes with its own needs. Trying to force things to stay the same just burns energy I don’t have. It’s faster, and a lot kinder, to ask: what does this season actually require?
Right now, that looks like shifting a few things at home:
I’m having my kids handle more simple chores since they’re not in school. I switched to paper plates for daytime meals and easy snacks to cut down on dishes and encourage independence. I’ll make adjustments to my work hours a bit, too. And I don’t need to plan the entire summer at the same time. I just need a plan that works for now. What works the second week of June doesn’t have to be what’s keeping the wheels from falling off the last week of July.
One summer, I even taped a little sign over our doorbell asking neighbor kids not to ring before 2pm. It felt awkward, but it helped. Will I need I again this year? We’ll see.
We don’t have to know every question or answer.
We just have to start with what helps now—knowing we can shift at any time.
Here’s a round-up of some things I’m trying out to ease our entry into summer:
Fridge Magnet Calendar – I know I referenced this specific item a couple months ago, but it really is an unsung hero in our house. Right now it’s being used to show my kids what’s happening day to day since we are building new routines as well as writing reminders of what I’d like them to get done each day. At the time I’m preparing this, it’s under $10!
Paper Plates – A few summers ago I started using ‘the summer tray’ as a central spot for things the kids likely need throughout the day when eating (i.e. cups, napkins, straws, snack bowls, silverware). This year it’ll be mostly the same stuff but I’m swapping these paper plates in since they’re biodegradable.
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi – If you’re into anything I’ve shared here in the Ops in Everyday section you’re likely to love this entire book. If you need a poolside read that’ll instantly give you ideas for being a genius about the things that matter and ways to skip what doesn’t… this is your book.
Puzzle Workbooks – Did someone say they’re bored? Great. We have a workbook for that. I got this one for the variety and this one in part because the imagery and illustrations were so engaging!
The Ambitious Stretch – I’m not the first, or last, parent who sets their eyes on a summer reading goal for their kids. We’re going to kick off summer with 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens for my new teen and The Care of Keeping of You for my third grader. Not because I’m trying to win summer (but that would be great!), but because it feels like the right time for both of them.
Little shifts. Big impact. Room to pivot. And a lot less overwhelm.
Missed last month’s edition? You can read it here.
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