Working moms: make the most of your day and your life with these time-management tips!
Balancing work and family is one of the most demanding issues of our times, and most working mothers continue to struggle in their attempt to strike that precious balance. Spending time with the kids is very important for their well-being, but that doesn’t mean that a mother has to be at home all day to be a good mother. What really matters is the quality of time she spends with her children, and a working mother can make “family time” after work and on the weekends very meaningful and beneficial for her kids.
Although no miraculous formula exists, working mothers can still “have it all,” just not “all at once.” The key revolves around basic time management strategies that help working moms meet their many responsibilities and make the most of their lives.
Organize
Perhaps the most important tip is very simply, get organized. Organization is essential in time management, because it gives you the control required so you can achieve what you need.
It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you have control over your day. However, organization needs commitment and is not something that is accomplished sporadically. As a start, make a list of everything that needs to be done. Getting a monthly desk calendar (see DO to create your own space at home) is also a good idea. Jot down your daily to-do list on it, family’s and kids’ activities, doctor’s appointments, etc. This way, you’ll be more in control, because everything is right there on your calendar.
Recognize time wasters
It also helps to recognize and control the factors in your life that waste time. Decide what you consider common time-wasters (such as phone interruptions, indecision or attempting too much at one time) and plan a strategy to manage them. For example, if phone calls are a problem, you could set aside a specific time during the day to make calls and use an answering machine to screen all incoming calls.
Set realistic goals
Setting goals for you, your family and household is important, but a working mother must ensure that they are within reach and not overwhelming. You have to be realistic in your goals and what you expect to do. If, for example, you have several errands in different areas of town, you shouldn’t expect to go to all of them in one day. They have to be ‘mapped out’ so that you can accomplish what you set out to do.
There are times of the day that are always rushed such as in the mornings and at bedtime. To save time and energy, concentrate only on the tasks that definitely have to be done at those times, and shift any unnecessary tasks to a less stressed time during the day.
Group similar tasks together
Working mothers who are determined to manage their time right almost instinctively exercise this method. For example, they may group together certain household chores to be done on one day of the weekend, such as cooking for the week ahead or catching up on laundry. Or they may set aside one or two days during the week to meet certain deadlines, whether work or home related. Many working mothers set aside a specific time each evening to spend quality time with their kids and make an effort to group family outings on the weekend, separate from any other duties or chores.
Prioritize
An essential aspect of time management is prioritizing. Create a daily to-do list, divided into Sections A, B and C. Section A includes things that must get done today. B are things that can be done tomorrow if necessary, and C are things that can be done over a certain period of time.
Start and end your day early
One forgotten point relating to time management as far as sleep patterns are concerned, is going to bed and waking up early on a regular basis. You get a good night’s sleep, gain more time and consequently can do a lot during that extra time.
Have a support system and delegate responsibility
Delegating and having a strong support system for a working mother are two things that are essential. Getting those around you to help out saves time, effort and energy. A working mother needs to realize that there are certain tasks she need not do herself, which can be effectively accomplished by whoever she delegates them to. Some mothers have excellent time management skills, but due to the lack of a good support system and no viable means of delegation, they simply cannot manage to balance their day.
Working mothers must make an effort to connect with trusted individuals in both their social and family circles. These people can, when needed, offer support, whether that means helping with child care, finishing tasks, or simply offering emotional support
Keep a healthy perspective
No matter how a working mother decides to balance her job and family, it is far from easy to achieve. To some working mothers, the phrase “balancing work and family” is objectionable because it implies that you will always be able to maintain an exact balance between the two. In reality, at times you need to spend more time and effort at home, while at others, at work.
In the end, it is important to keep a healthy perspective and realize that our problems – whether missed deadlines, forgetting to pick up the dry-cleaning, or late nights at work – are nevertheless small within the larger picture of life. Perhaps the most important thing a working mother can do for herself and her family is to remember to relax and enjoy life’s many blessings.
MORE TIPS FOR WORKING MOMS
- Put some fun and relaxation into your life.
- Be an optimist – believe in happy endings.
- Get connected with your family and friends.
- Keep your goals and schedules simple.
- Learn to slow down and enjoy life.
- Count your blessings.
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