Time management is a real issue for moms that work from home.
Most of us are trying to build a successful business while balancing household chores and our growing families, the reason we decided to stay home.But it’s not easy working from home, especially if you have 7 children like me.Most days I feel like I’m running from one thing to the next without stopping to catch my breath. However, I find it quite rewarding at the end of the day when I am able to cross even two things off my list and get to spend the day with my adorable kids.Having a schedule is crucial but we all know with kids things don’t always go as planned. Between colds, stomach bugs, bumps and bruises and overtired children, we have to learn to roll with the punches.
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS I’VE FOUND THAT HELP ME MANAGE MY TIME WHILE WORKING FROM HOME WITH LITTLE ONES.
Tip #1: Establish a schedule. This really helps so that you can outline school times, meals, nap, errands and work.
Tip #2: When do you feel MOST productive? Figure out what time of the day you get that burst of energy. Is it in the morning around 10am? Or maybe right after lunch? Or perhaps you are a night owl?
Schedule the most important activities that you MUST get done during that time.
Tip #3: Use a timer. When you sit down to do a task set the timer. Turn off Facebook, Twitter, Email {aka time suckers} and focus on that one task. Give yourself 15 – 20 minutes to accomplishment and cross that item off your list.
Tip #4: Create a designated area for work and play. This is so important. I used to work from the dining room table but found I was disorganized and would get more distracted.
Tip #5: Use productivity apps. I don’t know about you but I live by my iPhone. All of my appointments, deadlines, school activities, etc. go into my calendar on my phone.
Tip #6: Identify daily time wasters; try to eliminate. We all have them. Maybe it’s the TV, the cell phone, or email.
What do you get distracted by? Identify these items and make sure to eliminate them as best as you can.
Tip #7: Make time for the kids. It’s so easy when you work from home to always be thinking about deadlines, emails you need to respond to, posts that need to be written and calls that need to be made.
Tip #8 : Reward yourself! Mothers have a hard job no matter if you work out of the house, in the home or do a little of both.
We need to stop every once in a while, step back and realize all that we accomplish in a day. It’s pretty incredible if you think about it.
We deserve a nice reward every once in a while to help relax and rejuvenate ourselves. It can be simply picking up a book we’ve been meaning to read, getting a nice pedicure, taking a long hot bath or maybe buying ourselves a new outfit. Whatever it is, don’t forget to pamper yourself.
Remember it’s impossible to do it all but with a little planning, organization and prioritizing, it can help make things more manageable.
Hi Leslie. I need to work on Number 4 (a lot!). With a little one running around, I’ll plop down on the floor, at the kitchen table, and anywhere I can sometimes just to get a little bit done while keeping an eye on him.
One of the most helpful tricks I’ve adopted when it comes to getting things done is being realistic about time and how long things actually take. I used to schedule ten hours’ worth of activities/work into a five-hour time block and then feel frustrated when I still had things left on my to-do list at the end of the day. Now I look at tasks, realistically put a time on them, and plan the day accordingly. It’s a small change, but helps a ton. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Ashlee, I agree… knowing how much time things take and being realistic about that amount of time is important. I’m running up against that right now with several projects coming together at one time. Thank you for sharing your tip!! – Leslie