Ladies can you relate to this scenario? Laundry is piling up, the next meal is waiting to be prepared, children are waiting to be picked up or dropped off, errands need to be run and to top it all off - you are a work from home mom! In the midst of all that busy-ness you actually need to get some non-domestic tasks completed, like write reports or research information or make business phone calls. Is it possible to have the best of both worlds: domestic and professional? How do those other work at home mom's appear to get it all done? The answer is simple: time management mastery. Here are a few tips from work at home moms just like you and me that others have found useful for keeping on track.
Work At Home MommyIt all comes down to schedules, routines and habits. I know it seems so difficult to find a routine because there are so many unexpected events that you need to be ready to handle. However, once you get into the habit of following a routine, you will find more time during the day for those unexpected events, and you will find yourself more relaxed and ready to take on the tasks of the day. It feels good to get all your tasks done, and you will want to do more of it once you get a taste of the power of a daily routine.
Cleaning and laundry tips for the work at home mom. If you're like me, then you find once you start doing your cleaning tasks it may quickly get overwhelming and before you know it you've taken up half your day. I find that I end up neglecting my other tasks in order to get my cleaning done. This is not a wise use of time for the work at home mom.
I have found that instead of taking on big cleaning tasks, I break them up into smaller 15-minute or less sub-tasks that I accomplish during different phases of my work day. I find that doing it this way allows me to feel like I'm staying on top of my cleaning tasks, while also getting my other work done. I call these my 'cleaning moments' throughout the day.
I routinely tidy up these areas with my cleaning moments throughout my day: bathroom counter fast wipe, floor quick sweep and spot mop (only in the high traffic areas), toy cleanup before nap time (with the kids' help!). I still find that I need to have dedicated cleaning days every so often, but my cleaning tasks no longer hold my work day hostage.
For laundry tasks I follow the same 'cleaning moments' principle. Break it down into smaller sub-tasks that can be scheduled or accomplished whenever time allows. For me, I do not allow the laundry to pile up so that I must dedicate an entire day to laundry. Instead, due to my family size, I prefer to do one or two loads of laundry per day. We have a laundry sorter, and all the family members know how to correctly sort their laundry so mommy (or daddy) can quickly and easily throw a load into the machine.
While the clothes is washing or drying I can focus on work tasks or other 'cleaning moments' tasks. The real issue is what to do when the clothes is dry. I make sure to discipline myself to fold the laundry as soon as it is dry. This usually takes about 15 minutes. My kids are old enough to put their clothes away on their own, so I simply put the folded laundry on their beds - they are expected to put it away neatly in their closets and dressers. Work At Home Mommy
Work time management tips for the work at home mom. Pay attention to your most productive hours during the day and make sure you schedule your work tasks during that time period. Remember to take advantage of kids' nap times or music/sports practice times - these are great work times for mommy! For some of my friends, the mid-morning is best. For others, mid-day or late afternoon. I use all of those time slots as well as the late evening and late night time slots. We work at home moms have to use all the resources available to us!
I follow the 'break it down into smaller chunks' principle for both work and home tasks. For work, I realized that my tasks are best defined by where I need to do them: at my computer, on the phone, at my desk/home office, or as an errand. I combine phone tasks with my errand tasks by using a hands-free bluetooth headset with my cell phone. Then I can get on the road to run my errands while also calling people on the phone. This is a tremendous time-saving tip.
Be sure to practice safe driving! Yes you are Superwoman, but you can't call on the cell phone and dig for files in your attache case while soothing the baby in the back seat and attempting to put on makeup while drinking your morning coffee! You can do it all - just not all at the same time!
The most important concept to remember is this: you can't allow your domestic tasks to hold your work tasks hostage. The reverse principle is also true. You must be able to successfully balance both sides of your life: work and home. With a little practice and some diligence to establishing successful routines, you will find that you are getting more things done during the day and feeling much more successful with both your home and work life.
The last thing to remember is this: schedule some 'mommy time' too. If you are like me and most other work at home moms, then you need to realize how important your well -being is to the rest of your family (whether they realize it or not). My home revolves around my ability to keep things moving: kids need to be taken care of, husband must be sent on his way, home chores must be done and work tasks must be accomplished. I am the central hub of all of these activities. If I don't take care of myself, then all the other tasks will not get done.
I schedule 'mommy time' into my routine each week - you should too! Here are 'mommy time' tips for you: take a hot bath whenever you can; have your nails done at least once a month (I prefer twice a month - and with my bluetooth phone I can get work done too!); get a babysitter and then go out for a dinner date at least once a week with your husband or with your girlfriends; have a massage at least once a month (or more if you can schedule it in!). Work At Home Mommy
Work At Home Mommy - Top Time Management Tips For the Busy Work at Home Mom