I have very limited time to get things done. Dude is in preschool 3 days a week, between 830 and 1pm, so that leaves me with about 10 hours a week of “independent” time.
Time when I am not juggling kids, groceries, and email.
Time when I can actually concentrate at the task at hand.
Only problem? I have at least 20hrs of work that needs to be done in this time! A totally amazing problem to have, I know, but still something that can send a work-at-home mom over the edge if she doesn’t plan accordingly.
So, how do I do it?
1. I organize my projects:
New projects take more concentration that ones who are already a few days or weeks in, so I make sure to secure my best chunk of time for first drafts, new quotes and the details “stuff”. Without doing these projects well, I won’t be able to secure any other ones, so they are numero uno on the important list!
Mid-stream projects get the second dose of time. They usually just need fine tuning, edits, tweaks and additions, vs big chunks of development time, so they get added as a warm up to my day, or the cool down before I grab my little guy from school. These include email responses, quick marketing etc.
Lastly, the stuff that really doesn’t need my full attention. Organic engagement, SEO, and networking. I can run through my triberr share list while balance dinner and a kid in my arm! Find the projects you can multi-task through and squeeze them in where you can!
2. I say no.
I can’t do it all. Really! It was hard for me to believe and admit, but it is true. So, I say no to the stuff that doesn’t either better my life, my pocketbook or my brand. If it’s “free”, it gets pushed to the bottom of the pile (and usually eventually deleted) I balance and question all the projects I say yes to before I commit. I make sure that they provide some benefit to my world, and if not, I suggest another place for the opportunity to go.
I also say no to personal things, to television, to books and sometimes (eek) to long runs in the woods. My time is slim, and right now we need to stick to the plan. Family, Business and Quality of Life. Long runs turn into short ones, and my afternoons are spent playing at the park or enjoying a kid friendly hike instead.
3. I find a faster way
It is rare for me to see a “real live human being” these days as most of my work is done digitally. While that sounds a little sad, there is a huge benefit. When I meet to work with clients or businesses we do it via google+ or Skype. When the computer screen turns on, our conversation starts and we launch directly into the task at hand. Face to face we tend to have a longer lag time for socializing (which can be lovely) but does suck up the time!
I also multitask my course in a day. When I go feed the chickens I walk by the laundry and put a load on. Every path is purposeful and useful and I reduce the number of back and forth trips I make!
Luckily we live on a small island as well so our driving time is greatly reduced! And having a school bus for the kids saves me hours every week!
I have also learned how to organize my work methods so that when I have time to commit to a project my brain already has the words available. This means no 4 hours committed to writing a draft as all the prep has been done in my head while the little guy and I were out for that walk!
4. Understand your limitations
We don’t have a fabulous, time consuming home made meal every night. Sometimes we have a quick and easy ” toss it in a pot” spagetti (sometimes being weekly)
I also know that not everything is on MY plate. Household duties are a shared responsibility, and that means allowing my hubby to help out. And for me, the hardest thing is NOT feeling guilty about that!
I am learning to let go of a few things, and let them get done as he sees fit!
So, start your streamlining your life and focus on what is important to increase your productivity. Whether it is balancing kids and work, or kids and life, or even Kids and the Hubby, pick and choose where you spend your time! Make what you have count and you will feel productive every day, and trust me, that does a lot to inspire you to keep going!