If you are a stay-at-home mom overwhelmed with juggling child care demands and working to stay afloat financially, these time management strategies are for you.
Even though working from home offers some significant advantages, managing time effectively can also be exhausting.
But here’s some good news: This feeling doesn’t last forever, and once it passes, better things will happen in your life.
Hence, if you can push through this period and keep working, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
If you’re one of the millions who’ve taken your job home with you, here are our best time management strategies to help you stay productive and happy.
12 Time Management Strategies To Help You Work From Home Like A Champion
#1 – Regular daily routine
Setting aside some hours every day to scale your business is crucial. You can start with the most important task of the day.
So, attend to those first and leave aside activities that can wait till the next day.
To make the most of your time, you can use the Pomodoro technique. The first is to identify the particular task you want to complete.
Then set a timer for 25 minutes, and as soon as the alarm goes off, you take about 5 minutes break.
Then spend another 25 minutes and take 5 minutes break. Repeat this process till you complete the task.
#2 – Set Realistic Goals
It’s so easy to set high standards beyond what you can achieve. However, if you want to do more this year, you need to lay down achievable goals.
Don’t compare your situation with others. You may end up setting high goals and find them hard to meet.
Instead, take each activity one at a time. For example, I sometimes multi-task but often have many unfinished tasks in my schedule.
So, tackling three tasks in a day would be better than having tens of goals but succeeding with none.
#3 – Appropriate Workspace
It’s essential to have an office space that allows you to separate your work life from your personal life.
You don’t want to feel obligated to keep working if you aren’t in the mood or if you need a break from it for a little while.
However, the office space does not have to be elaborate or expensive; simply designate a section of your home.
And if possible, choose a room or corner with windows so that you can look outside at nature from time to time, which will help ground you and give you more energy.
#4 – Take Frequent Breaks
If you’re feeling stressed out by something at work, decide whether it’s critical that you deal with it right now or if it can wait until later. If it can wait, let it go for a while so you can relax and come back refreshed.
When working on a project, I take a break every 45 minutes for 5-10 minutes. It helps me recharge and stay focused longer.
Sometimes, it is not feasible to go outside, but I never skip it when it is. Taking fresh air during my break helps me feel rejuvenated and energized when I return to work.
One of the reasons people feel overwhelmed by working from home is that they don’t set boundaries between work and their personal lives.
You need to be able to disconnect, or you may burn out in no time. So, give yourself free time every day.
It would help if you had a break from work and your work environment every day to stay fresh and focused.
Go outside if possible, or at the very least, try to avoid staring at another screen. That will help you recharge your mental batteries.
#5 – Avoid Distractions
If you have trouble concentrating on any task, turn off your phone, TV, and other electronics for a set period each day.
I found that this strategy helps keep my mind on what I need to accomplish during that time.
The number time sucker is social media if not used correctly. It’s so easy to lose count of time while scrolling through notifications without realizing it. So, if possible, it turns off while working to reduce distraction.
#6 – Get Mentally Prepared
Suppose you wake up in the morning and start working without giving yourself time to plan out your daily goals.
In that case, there’s a good chance your mind won’t be in the right place for productive tasks once you get started.
Take five minutes every morning to determine what tasks will be top priorities for that day to improve your mental and emotional state of mind.
#7 – Delegate Activities
Remember, you can’t do it all alone. So, involve your grown-up kids in chores relevant to their age.
For example, older kids can help with
- Sorting laundry clothes
- Set and clear the table
- Pack their toys
- Clean the tables and floors
#8 – Maintain Boundaries
It’s normal for our loved ones to need our attention while we’re working at home occasionally.
Still, it’s just as important to set boundaries with them as it is with our clients if we’re going to avoid getting overwhelmed. So as much as possible, make sure that they know when you’re available and when you’re not.
However, remember to set aside some time for friends and family to help you relax and recharge.
#9 – Use Your Most Productive Hour
Some people work best in the morning, others at night. Figure out which time is best for you and schedule your tasks accordingly.
For example, I’m more productive in the morning and thus usually wake up ahead of the kids.
Most times, I get 2 hours of quiet time in the early hours to brainstorm ideas and sort out the necessary tasks for the day.
This simple strategy helps me stay out of stress and be more productive.
#10 – Get Some Exercise
Exercise not only helps keep your body healthy but also helps relieve stress. For example, try taking a walk at lunch instead of sitting in front of your computer all day long.
One of the most important things I’ve learned is maintaining an excellent work-life balance. I’ve been able to do that because I know I need to avoid burnout and keep my life in perspective.
Working from home is an excellent way to take control of your career and life, but it’s not without its challenges.
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face is balancing your work and personal life. However, by staying organized, setting boundaries, and being mindful, you can easily avoid getting overwhelmed.
#11 – Keep A Note and Pen
Sounds old school? Yes, I know, but it has been very effective for me. When I’m out, and a new idea creeps into my mind, I grab my note and quickly scribble it down.
However, it’s okay if you have a more effective way to deal with this situation.
What’s important is not losing out on those great ideas.
#12 – Take Care of Yourself
Try to avoid working weekends altogether if possible; this gives you time to recover and stay healthy. Remember, you can’t be everywhere; you need to take some time off every day.
In addition, sleep well, eat a healthy diet and give your body attention. Also, take advantage of online tools to reduce stress, settle bills, shop for groceries, purchase books, etc.
So, don’t strive to be the perfect mom and end up overwhelming yourself. Instead, remember that you’re doing this for yourself, which means being accountable.
And if you need help at any point, ask for it, but don’t expect others to make that decision for you.
Final Thoughts
Managing time effectively as a mom while working from home is a challenge.
If you’re overwhelmed by the activities, I will offer one piece of advice: take a break. You deserve it. You’ve earned it.
Do something fun and relaxing for yourself, even if it’s just for an hour. Enjoy the time away from your work.
Finally, make sure that you’re taking the necessary steps to give yourself more energy and stamina so you don’t get overwhelmed.
However, I have to say that being a part of the changing work environment is a privilege, and I am grateful for it. Working from home enabled me to give my family adequate attention and allowed me more flexibility with my time.
Using these time management strategies will help you stay focused and more organized, boost your productivity and eliminate the overwhelming feeling.
And if you have any questions, please leave them in the comment below.
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