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There are only 24 hours in a day. If you’re trying to cram a job, time with your family, household chores, and everything else into that time, you know how important it is to have a plan. Keep reading to learn why time management is essential for work-at-home moms.
Being a work-at-home mom (WAHM) can be difficult, especially with so many things pulling at your time and attention. Learning how to balance it all can help you increase your productivity. That’s why time management is so important.
Keep reading to learn why managing your time is essential and to find some tips on how to go about it. I hope these tips help you find the perfect balance for you and your family.
And remember: even if it feels like there are too many tasks on your plate right now, don’t give up. Moms everywhere are in the same boat, and we’re all trying to find a balance that works for us! You have to do what works for you.
Why Time Management Matters
Time management is the art of organizing, scheduling, and controlling how you spend your time. It’s a vital skill for anyone who wants to be productive, whether you’re running a business or managing a household. Here’s why:
1. You’ll Be More Productive
The first and most obvious reason why time management is essential is that it can help you be more productive. If you have a plan and know what needs to be done and when you’re less likely to get sidetracked or bogged down with distractions.
When. you boost your productivity, you can get more done in less time. This can free up some time in your day so you can relax or spend more time with your family.
2. You’ll Reduce Stress
Another important reason to manage your time is that it can help reduce stress. If you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate, learning how to manage your time better can help you feel more in control.
By reducing your stress levels, you can also improve your mental and physical health. So, not only will managing your time help you get more done, but it can also help you feel better overall!
3. You’ll Achieve Your Goals
When you have a plan and strategically spend your time, you’re more likely to achieve your goals. Whether you’re hoping to launch a successful business or finally read those books on your to-read list, time management can help you reach your objectives, even as a busy mom.
When you know what needs to be done and when you can ensure you’re using your time in the most effective way possible to reach your goals.
My Top Tips for Time Management
If you’re ready to start managing your time more effectively, here are some of my best tips to get you started. They’re what allow me to build my business as a busy homeschooling mom of many!
1. Do a Brain Dump
One of the best ways to get started with time management is to do a brain dump. This means getting all of the ideas and tasks floating around in your head down on paper (or in a digital document).
Get everything out of your head and into a list. Once it’s all down on paper, you can start sorting and categorizing your tasks. This will help you see everything more clearly and start to form a plan for tackling it all.
Getting things out of your head can also free up brain power. Then, you will have the mental energy needed to take action.
Tip: Don’t feel limited to only adding business tasks to your list. Write down anything that you need to do, from cooking dinner to changing diapers and writing a blog post or creating images. Get it all out of your head.
2. Use a Time Blocking Method
Once you have all of your tasks sorted, it’s time to start scheduling them into your day. One effective way to do this is with the time blocking method.
With time blocking, you’ll break your day up into smaller chunks of time and assign tasks to each block. For example, you might spend the first hour of your day working on client work before your kids wake up.
Then, you can deal with breakfast, morning chores, and everything else on your plate. If you’re homeschooling like I am, make sure you put blocks of time in your schedule for that.
Then, you can work again during quiet time while your kids are playing quietly or taking naps. Finally, you can pick back up with your business in the evening after the kids go to bed.
Setting aside several different blocks of time for working allows you to get something done each day – even if interruptions happen!
For more information on how I schedule my day, read this post: The Best Work at Home Mom Schedule
3. Set Priorities
When you’re trying to manage your time, it’s important to set priorities. This will help you determine what needs to be done first and what can wait.
To set priorities, start by looking at your goals. What do you need to do in order to reach your objectives? Those tasks should be at the top of your list.
Then, you can move on to urgent but not necessarily important tasks. These are things that need to be done soon but aren’t directly related to your goals. Finally, you can tackle tasks that are neither urgent nor important. Or, you might decide to ditch those tasks altogether.
After all, you don’t need to waste your time doing busy work that doesn’t result in a return on investment! Deciding not to do something is so freeing.
4. Batch Similar Tasks Together
When you have a lot of similar tasks to complete, it can be helpful to batch them together. For example, if you need to write several blog posts, work on all of them at once instead of doing one here and there.
You can break it down even further by doing all of your outlines in one session. Then you can begin drafting the next time you work.
This will help you focus and get into a flow state more easily. Plus, it can save you time in the long run since you won’t have to keep getting yourself back up to speed on what you’re working on.
5. Delegate and Outsource
In order to free up your time, delegate and outsource when possible. If you have tasks that someone else can handle, give them to your spouse, a virtual assistant (like me!), or another team member.
And don’t be afraid to outsource things like housekeeping, yard work, grocery shopping, and other errands. These are all time-consuming tasks that someone else can do for you so that you can focus on more important things.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to invest in quality time-saving tools that’ll help you do more. While free tools are helpful at first, you can really save time by paying for some key tools.
As a blogger, some of my favorites include a Canva Pro subscription (making images for posts is SO MUCH EASIER!) and ConvertKit (it does so much more than emails now!) I also can’t imagine life with my Instant Pot in the kitchen or my Clever Fox Planner PRO.
You can find other tools I recommend in this post:
Top 10 Time Saving Tools For the Busy Mom Boss
6. Minimize Distractions
When you’re trying to manage your time, it’s important to minimize as many distractions as possible. This means turning off your phone, closing your email browser, and silencing any notifications that might pop up.
However, if you’re trying to take care of kids while you work, recognize that there will still be interruptions to your day. Handle them with grace and get back to work as soon as you can. Getting your kids engaged with a fun activity can help give you more time to work.
Here are a few posts that can help with that:
7 Toys To Keep Your Kids Busy While You Work
50 Fun Activities To Keep Your Kids Busy While You Work
50 Screen Free Winter Activities for Kids While You Work
7. Take Breaks
Even if you’re on a tight schedule, it’s important to take breaks. Working for hours on end without a break will only lead to mental burnout.
So, be sure to step away from your work every few hours. Get up and move around, take a quick walk, or just take a few deep breaths. I personally love stepping outside for a couple of minutes.
No matter what you do, these mini breaks will help you refresh and come back to your work feeling recharged.
8. Learn to Say No
One of the best things you can do for your time management is to learn to say no. Just because someone asks you to do something doesn’t mean you have to say yes. If you’re already stretched thin, it’s okay to turn down additional requests.
It might not be easy at first, but the more you practice saying no, the easier it will become. And, you’ll be so glad you did when you have more time to focus on your own priorities!
Manage Your Time To Build The Life Of Your Dreams
Time management is key for WAHMs to be successful. It’ll allow you to make progress on your dreams and build the life that you desire.
If you need help with time management, book a coaching call with me! As a work-at-home mom of many, I’ve built a successful business that helped us get out of debt and meet our financial goals.
I’ve also helped many other moms do the same through my one-on-one coaching!
Schedule a call today, and let’s chat about how I can help you manage your time and build a business you love.
Lisa Tanner is a former teacher turned homeschooling mom with 11 kids. She's also a successful freelance writer. Lisa enjoys helping other busy moms find time to start and grow a side hustle of their own.
