Do you find time management to be a struggle? As a Wife and Mommy, I know that it can be difficult to create a balance between your many tasks. And trust me when I say that it is normal to struggle with time management. Let me share with you some essential time management tips for a busy mommy that has helped me gain control back over my life and schedule.
Multitasking is the ultimate Mommy superpower. You are granted this power when you crossover to motherhood. But even as a busy Mommy with awesome multitasking superpowers, time management is a struggle.
10 Essential Time Management Tips
1. Begin each day with a clear focus
I like to begin each day with a clear focus. To begin each day with a clear focus I start preparing the night before. Every night before bed I write down 3 top priorities for the next day. Priorities include any tasks or plans that I want to achieve for the following day.
Planning allows me to begin each day with a clear focus. With my priorities already written and set. This ensures that I remain on track and focused on my top priorities. For example, completing all the important tasks first with each new day.
2. Create a specific task list
In addition to my 3 written top priorities, I like to create a specific task list. This can also be written the night before or first thing in the morning after you review your 3 top priorities for the day.
Setting a schedule really gives you control over your time. Creating a specific task list will allow you to set a schedule and plan to complete tasks within the timeframe you set.
Task lists are extremely helpful because you can visually see your progress as you complete tasks on your list. Be specific when creating your list. Avoid setting unrealistic tasks that cannot be completed within the day. By avoiding this you will reduce the likelihood of having to carry incomplete tasks into the next day.
3. Prioritize tasks wisely and realistically
As I mentioned above make sure you are setting realistic tasks and prioritize them from most important to least important. I found it really helpful to create my task list with the most difficult tasks first to least difficult.
Prioritizing your tasks from most to least difficult will allow you to ensure those difficult tasks are done first thing when your momentum is high. If you are anything like me, I lose my momentum towards the end of my day. There is no way that I would be able to complete my task list if I didn’t plan to accomplish the more difficult tasks first each day.
4. Reduce distractions
Of course, as a Mommy, you only have a few options to reduce distractions. You can get up and work before your kids rise up in the morning. Or you can work once your kids go to bed. But, who am I kidding? This is unrealistic.
Sometimes we simply just have to set some boundaries with hopes of reducing distractions. First, let’s start with identifying what personally distracts you. Once you figure that out we can move on.
Distractions can include your kids, your phone, loud noises, or a string of many other distractions. Well, you may be wondering how can I reduce these distractions?
It starts with setting boundaries. If it’s your kids that are your distraction, find a time when you can work through the noise. Set boundaries, such as a time and space for working. When you are in that zone, you are not to be disturbed. This is the one method that I found works best for me. And it’s really helpful when my Husband supports me and reinforces those boundaries of my workspace when the kids need friendly reminders.
Another distraction for me is my phone. And to conquer this distraction I like to use the do-not-disturb option on my phone. If you don’t think you have this much discipline, I would encourage you to commit to leaving your phone in another room while you work. If you fall victim to distractions this can take away from your time management, and result in fruitless work.
5. Stop Multitasking
Yes, unfortunately in order to become better at time management you have to put a stop to your superpower of multitasking. Far too often, when multitasking we do a little bit of something. But not enough focus on the more important tasks as a whole and to completion.
You don’t want to be working for nothing. Multitasking often makes us feel like we are doing a lot, but we aren’t achieving real results. In order to better time manage it is encouraged to work diligently at your specific task list, one task at a time to completion. This will reduce errors and time spent on tasks if you have to go back and make corrections.
Focusing on one task at a time will allow you to concentrate more on the bigger picture. Bringing you back to the clear focus you set when you first woke up.
6. Stop Procrastinating
If you really want to better manage your time you have to stop procrastinating. Working under pressure is not a good feeling. And feeling rushed can lead to a lot of mistakes.
I highly recommend that if you are indeed a procrastinator to stop procrastinating today. Pacing yourself to complete tasks is the best strategy to use. Motherhood is filled with so much uncertainty and our schedules change often when it comes to our children as their needs and demands change.
Eliminating procrastination has helped me pace myself with my time management and reduces a great deal of anxiety for me. Since I am always planning and working ahead I am never thrown off schedule when things change in my mommy schedule. I always have cushion room to adapt to those changes, and my work is never affected.
7. Avoid carrying incomplete tasks over to the next day
As easy as it may seem to simply carry over a few incomplete tasks to the following day, this is not the way to go. Those tasks still need to be done. And if it’s something simple which it should be if it is low on your task list, just do it!
If you want to achieve better time management it begins with setting goals and achieving them in a timely fashion. Again, there is no room for procrastinating, and carrying incomplete tasks over to the next day is procrastination.
8. Use a calendar to plan
Time management can only be achieved if you use a calendar to plan. You can manage a calendar electronically or physically the old fashion way. I am a fan of the Happy planners if you are looking for a traditional calendar/planner.
However, I highly recommend you to still manage a google calendar. I benefit the most from managing my google calendar because there is never a moment when I do not have access to upcoming events and tasks as long as I have access to my phone or a computer. Any changes made on my google calendar can be accessed everywhere and on every device I have.
Real-time updates are important for me, so I never miss anything important. Far too often when using only my Happy Planner, I would forget to update my calendar or leave it at home when I needed it the most.
Google Calendar 2020 Updates | Tips You Need To Know
Check out Tasia Custode on youtube. She shares some amazing tips that you need to know if you decide to use Google Calendar to better manage your time as a busy Mommy.
9. Set a timer
In order to better time management, you have to set a time for each task. Give yourself a set time to complete the task. Be mindful of that set time and race the clock. Your goal is to fully complete your task before the timer goes off. Depending on the level of the tasks for more difficult I will give myself 2 hours to complete. And for the least difficult tasks 30 minutes.
10. Set clear deadlines
Each task has a deadline and if you really want to better time manage it involves setting clear deadlines. On your task list be sure to clearly write the deadline next to each task.
Clearly mark those set deadlines on your calendar whether you decided to electronically or physically manage.
How do you time manage?
Share with me in the comments about how you time manage. I want to know what strategies you have found to be successful to better manage your time as a mommy.
Or if time manages you, share with me in the comments areas in which you are currently struggling. What essential time management tips will you now use as a busy Mommy?
albertinesmith
Now my goal in life is to work quickly, to get outdoors quickly; to pack home quickly and go shopping quickly. Purpose, i want to play. This one will benefit me for a lifetime, stop multitasking, don’t be distracted, concentrate. https://www.maxcatchfishing.com/
Chloë
These are such good tips for anyone really! I don’t have kids yet, but I’d still be able to use these tips 😊
bloglifewitherica
Thank you so much for reading. I am happy to hear you found these tips useful.
Xo Erica
Sophia Patel
what great ideas! Always surprising how much you can get done when you are time efficient! Too right about cutting out distractions too – if things need to get done then prioritize them!
http://www.sophiapatel.co.uk
bloglifewitherica
Thank you for reading. Yes, distractions are the biggest road block for success. And it doesn’t take much to become distracted. I have to work in silence and had a space to work. That’s my secret to eliminating distractions. Clear space = clear mind.
xo Erica