Do you ever get to the end of the day and think to yourself, “where did my time go?”
Or maybe you are frustrated with all your distractions and didn’t get your to-do list accomplished. I get it; as a mom working from home, the distractions can be frustrating, but improving our time management skills can make a world of difference!
I’ve been working from home for over ten years and ALWAYS with kids, so I understand how hard it can be. And over time, I have developed some excellent time management skills that I’d love to share with you.
By learning to manage your time well, you can prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency, increasing productivity and efficiency. This can lead to reduced stress levels and a greater sense of control over your life, as you are able to allocate your time in a way that aligns with your goals and values.
“Raising kids and running a house keep me pretty busy, too. I also have a little gig on the side called a full-time job.”
~Unknown
Additionally, good time management can improve the quality of your work, as you have more time to dedicate to each task and can avoid last-minute rushes or procrastination. Your clients will be so happy, and you will build up your confidence too!
Last, managing your time effectively can also free up more time for fun activities and socializing, improving your overall well-being and happiness. If you are like me, I don’t have enough fun or get out with my friends as often as I’d like.
Here are five time management exercises you can try:
Time Tracking: Keep track of how you spend your time throughout the day for at least a week. This will help you identify where you’re spending too much time or where you can be more efficient.
Prioritization: Make a to-do list and prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency. This will help you focus on what’s essential and avoid wasting time on less important tasks.
Time Blocking: Block out specific chunks of time for different tasks throughout the day. This can help you stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked by other things.
Pomodoro Technique: The Pomodoro technique involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, repeating the process several times. This can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Delegation: Identify tasks that can be delegated to someone else and delegate them. This will help you free up time to focus on tasks that only you can do or to take much-needed breaks.
Action Step To Implement
Pick one of the time management exercises to use. I generally plan on either Friday or the weekend for the following week. Set aside an hour to plan your next week and then commit to using one of the above exercises. Commit to trying it for a couple of weeks. And after that, if it’s working great, continue with it. And if it’s not working, pick another to try. The idea is to start simple with a mindset routine and then build up as time passes.
Bonus action step – find a friend to be your accountability partner. If I commit to someone (rather than only myself), I tend to stick with it better! You can either text a certain time of the day to check in or do a quick call, and it’s whatever works for both of you.
Helpful Links
I have some helpful information if you have enjoyed this article and want more. If you are a mom wanting to work from home but have no idea how to get started, grab my free getting started guide, “10 Easy Steps to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant.” And if you are lacking confidence and wondering if you really can do it, If I can do it, living in a small rural town in Missouri with no formal business education or entrepreneurial background, so can you!
Go here to grab the free guide!
You’ll also be added to my email list, where I’ll send tips about working as a Virtual Assistant and more time-saving tips for busy moms.
And feel free to comment here with a time management tip of your own. The more we support each other, the better!
