HOW I ORGANIZE MY DAY TO FIND TIME TO WORK
These are my tips on how to be an effective work at home mom in your business and as a wife, mom and homemaker. How to use time blocking to be effective and efficient and get it all done in one day.
WHAT IS TIME BLOCKING?
Time blocking is what it sounds like….blocks of time dedicated to different things. It is the key to working from home with kids around….but with flexibility. Always with flexibility.
TIME BLOCKING IS KEY. IT’S NEVER PERFECT.
I am not saying you cannot work when kids are around. I totally do. When the kids are playing nicely that’s a great time to do a few quick things for work. You could also go pray. Or get ready for the day. But, I do work in the “pockets of time” in my day whenever they present themselves.
Time blocking is hard for work at home moms. And it’s not perfect. Ever. Life isn’t black and white. It’s not perfect. Sometimes a kid wanders in during a zoom call. Sometimes your work NEEDS you when you were supposed to be doing bedtime. It’s not cut and dry. And sometimes everyone needs to be flexibly.
BUT, you can work on setting aside time where you are NOT working. Time where your phone is down and you are MOM and you are giving your kids and husband and friends the attention they need. Same for work, you can set aside time where you can THINK and CREATE and be YOU. And that is ok also.
SET ASIDE TIME IN THE MORNING OR AT NIGHT.
“Never trade light for darkness” I love this quote. But, I also know that sometimes nights work better. Finally the house is quiet.
But sometimes the kids are all stirring at 5 and 6 am but not at 10pm. I totally get it. I do not judge what works for you. Some seasons you might find it works best to work at night. You also might hit a point where you feel like your efforts at night are wasted because you are so tired and you are so much fresher in the morning.
It is almost always true that waking in the morning before everyone with intention is a wonderful way to start the day and start it the right way. Your day will run smoother.
JOT DOWN IDEAS DURING THE DAY
I write down ideas WHENEVER they come to me. I have learned the hard way that those ideas disappear. My creative ideas for blog posts or for videos will disappear even though at that moment it feels like they’ll be there forever. I have learned to write them now. Right then.
MY DAILY TO DO LIST ITEMS
I also write down my DAILY TO DO LIST items.
I have a DAILY TO DO LIST of items I do every single day on my blog, on Pinterest, on social media. It helps me to focus.
Do I get everything done every day? Of course not! I am a super busy mom and sometimes I choose something else over completely my to do list.
I also choose quality over quantity. I try not to put up a blog post or a social media post that’s crap just to post. I would prefer to take extra time to make it better. That does not mean all of my posts are award winning. I might think they are fabulous but they don’t always resonate with others and that is okay. We are not perfect. And that is ok.
TODAY’S TO DO LIST
I also write down my to do list that is going on right now. Today. or This week. These are one off things. This includes the posts and pins I’m working on publishing this week, etc.
MY TIME BLOCKS
I have blocks for…..
- reading to kids
- bedtime with kids
- husband time
- work time with x
- work time with y
- friends
- chores
I divide my work time and my play time into different tasks. Sometimes I’m writing blog posts. Sometimes I’m editing photos.
And some tasks can be multitasking. I can listen to podcasts while I fold laundry, cook dinner or while I shower. Other tasks need focused attention like reading to the kids.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIME BLOCKING HACKS FOR ME?
I would love to hear!