Hey, working mom – your time is valuable!  Four simple time management tips can literally change your life.  Your worst enemy is not the mother-in-law who won’t stop criticizing your parenting skills.  Well, she’s close!  But, your worst enemy is mismanaged time. If your day comes to an end and you have no idea what you did, you probably need to improve your time management.  No worries!  Make your life easier by following these simple time management tips :

1– Set Realistic Goals

 As a working mom, there is always more to do than the 24 hours will allow. Still, there are only 24 hours in the day.  One of the quickest ways to get out of balance is to overbook yourself.  As a working mom, I have two full-time jobs – the one outside of the home and being a wife and mom when I get home. Not to mention my job as a writer and blogger!  Let’s be clear – something is not going to get done!

If I have a writing deadline, I’m making easy meals which allow for leftovers or we’re eating out.  When I set my weekly exercise goals, I know I won’t have the time or energy to exercise every day.  While I prefer to exercise in the mornings, with an infant, a six-year-old, and a job that starts at 7:00 a.m., it’s not happening! Since my weekends are more flexible, that’s the time when I focus on my workouts.

If you want to improve your time management, be realistic about the  amount of time you have.   Don’t overextend yourself by setting goals which will be impossible for you to accomplish.  It will only leave you frustrated and overwhelmed.

2 – Eat the Frog

There’s a quote by Mark Twain that says if you eat a frog first thing in the morning, everything is uphill from there.  Well, the idea is to do the thing that you want to do least – first.  If you tackle that thing  first, the rest of your to do list should be easy peezy lemon squeezy!  When I keep delaying a task, whether it’s cleaning the fridge, organizing the closet, or folding laundry, it just takes longer.  It’s also more stressful because it’s in the back of my mind as something I need to do.  Once I can cross it off the list, I feel much better.

Believing you have all the time in the world to get things done is like believing you have all the money in the world to spare. For years, I struggled with time management.  If I had a deadline, I rarely started early.  I really thought I worked better under pressure.  Lies!  Now that I understand time management, I’d rather get it done and leave time to correct any mistakes – minus the pressure!

3 – Be Intentional

Okay, working mom, before you start your day, you should know your goals are and have a plan of action.  My most productive days at work and home are when I know exactly what I plan to do and have actually put together a plan to get it done.  If I need to cook after work, I have a meal in mind and the ingredients prepped or at least ready.  If I have a major project at work, I make a list of what I need to get done and prioritize the list.

You can even plan your “free time” (I’m not being sarcastic) to maximize every minute.  Good time management requires you to be intentional.  As a writer, I always carry a notebook in my car or purse.  And, I use my phone to take notes!  While I’m waiting at the doctor’s office, I use the time to brainstorm or write. As I’m ironing my son’s uniforms, I usually catch up with a friend or watch a show on DVR. When I’m exercising, I try to listen to a podcast or an inspirational teaching.

It might sound like I’m multi-tasking, but I call it maximizing.  I’m making the most of every minute by getting all I can get out of it.  That also means being still and present in the moment. I know, it’s very hard to do!  But, when my six-year-old asks me to watch a movie or spend time with him, I am all in.  When my husband and I spend time together, it is purposeful and without the distraction of electronic devices. Every day, I intentionally walk my dog without my cell phone because it’s an opportunity to breathe in my surroundings. Be intentional about how you’re spending your time to be more effective.

4 – Develop a Schedule

I’m a list kind-of girl.  I love to make a list and cross out each task once it’s done.  If you have an assistant at work, he likely keeps a calendar or schedule with all your meetings and appointments.  You can do the same for your family life and personal goals.  Developing and maintaining a schedule will help you with your time management.  And, don’t forget to put yourself on the schedule!

Each day, you should set aside some time just for you.  It could be a relaxing bubble bath, a phone conversation with a friend, a heart-pounding workout, or engaging in some mindless entertainment.  Do something which makes you feel happy, relaxed, calm, or centered.  If you see there is time left unmanaged, you can be more intentional about how you use it.  Having a plan of action will help you achieve more balance in your life.

You can easily improve your time management by setting realistic goals, avoiding procrastination, being intentional, and developing a schedule.  These simple time management tips will help you maximize your time and continue to live your best life balance.

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Dear Working Mom,

With all your mom duties, you rarely have a moment to yourself.  Add a job to the mix and free time sounds like a joke!  But, there are some ways to make more time for yourself.  You just need to have an open mind and be creative.

1 – Ditch the grocery store.  Okay, you have to buy groceries.  But, you don’t have to spend hours in the grocery store every week.  If it takes you two hours to shop in the store, order your groceries online and use the time to do something for yourself.  I order the night before and pickup the next day.   But on the way to pick up, I try to treat myself.  For this to work, the kids can’t go. So, plan ahead! Leave them with your husband or choose a time when they are in school or daycare. Use those grocery hours to get a pedicure, have a coffee date with a friend, or catch a movie.  Then, pick up your groceries on the way home.  You’ll be looking forward to “grocery shopping” every week!

2 – Use the time in between.  If you have an hour or two in between the time you leave work and pick up your kids, set aside some time for yourself. Chances are, you use the time to run errands for the family.  Not today!  Go sit in the park with your latte and people watch. Grab a book or magazine you’ve been wanting to read and do it.  Got an empty house? Go home and take a relaxing bath without someone bursting through the door with a question. I consistently use the time in between to exercise and write.  When you pick up your kids, you’ll be in a much better mood because you took some time for yourself.

3 – Take a personal day.  If you have vacation time at work, USE IT!  I try to save my time in case my kids get sick. But, sometimes, you need a mental health day.  When we live out of balance, we begin to feel the effects mentally and physically.  If you need a day, take it before it becomes an involuntary sick day. And, be sure to plan your day off to be just the way you want it. This is not the day to organize your closet or clean out the junk drawer.  This is your day to indulge.  Massage? Mani-pedi? Beach day? Cheesecake, anyone?

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4- Ask for help.  Is it possible you have not because you ask not? If you’re not asking for time, don’t expect to get it.   As a mom, you give off superhero vibes.  Your ability to get all things done may be misinterpreted. If you don’t ask for a break, your family may feel you don’t need one.  Use your support system to help you.  Letting your spouse know you need help isn’t a sign of weakness. It may even make your relationship better for him to know you need his help.  If you never ask for a break, the people in your inner circle may feel you don’t need one.  So, ask for what you need and get it!

5 – Embrace the simple things.  Some days, living a balanced life seems easy.  On those days, all the stars align, and everything falls into place.  On other days, it feels like I’m being stretched like a rubber band. When life is crazy hectic, just breathe.  Stop and know that no matter how chaotic your day was, you have an opportunity to start over tomorrow.  In the meantime, embrace the small blessings.  Find a funny show on television and laugh out loud.  Take an extra five minutes in the shower.  Sit still for ten minutes and focus on your breathing. Do a little flirting with your spouse.  And, most certainly, have a glass of wine! You’ll be surprised how little it takes to feel refreshed.

You could wait for life to slow down, but it probably won’t.  Make a decision today to find time for yourself and continue to live your best life in balance!

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