Productivity Tips for Working Moms: Dominate Your To-Do List and Spend Time with the Kids

As small business owners, we all feel like there are never enough hours in the day to get through our to-do list, and that goes double for moms. Growing a business is a full-time job and parenting is a full-time job, so how are you supposed to get everything done when you have two full-time jobs?

​I’ve been there. In fact, wanting to spend more time with my kids was a big reason for me to quit my job and start my own business. I was tired and stressed from being overworked, and I realized I wasn’t spending quality time with my family. I would tell myself just being with them was enough, but I would be working when I was with them, and I realized I wasn’t being present with the people who mattered the most to me. When my health started to suffer, I decided enough was enough. I knew there was a better way, so as someone who’s been there (and still is on a daily basis!), let me tell you my tips for working moms.

​Set Your Intention Each Day

​Many of us check our email first thing in the morning so we know what’s going on and what we need to get done that day, but that’s going in the opposite direction from productivity.

​You should be the one to decide how your day is going to go, but you can’t do that if you start by putting yourself in “Reaction Mode”. When you rely on your email to tell you what’s going on and what you should do next, you start the day from a place of reaction instead of a place that allows you to be proactive.

​One of my most important tips for working moms is to meditate first thing in the morning, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I know that can be hard if you have little kids running around, but even just taking the time it takes for your computer to boot up to think about your 3 most important tasks for that day can make a big difference when it comes to tackling your to-do list.  Trust me- early in my business I had no idea what it meant to meditate or to get my mind to pause.  I'm so glad I didn't give up though because now I can go 20 mins some days and still want to keep going because it feels so amazing!

​Prioritize

​I know your to-do list goes on forever, but at some point you have to accept that there are just not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything. That’s why one of the most important tips for working moms is to pick the top 3 things that absolutely need to get done that day and tackle those tasks first. Do you have client work that needs to get done before the deadline? Do you have sales calls you need to make? Whatever those 3 tasks are that will get you the closest to achieving your goals for your business, make sure to put those 3 tasks at the top of your to-do list. If you have time at the end of the day for other tasks, great. If not, you’ll at least know you took action to move your business forward today, and that will allow you to breathe easier the rest of the day, whether you’re conquering the rest of your to-do list or spending quality time with your family.

Delegate

Entrepreneurs often have a hard time delegating tasks, at least when they’re starting out. Moms also have a hard time delegating tasks, so if you’re an entrepreneurial mom, you might have an extra-strong urge to do everything yourself. One of the most important tips for working moms I can provide is to resist that urge, because that will only lead to frustration as you slowly come to terms with the fact that you can’t possibly get everything done.

​Prioritization and delegation are the two keys to dominating your to-do list without sacrificing quality time with your family (or sleep). If your business is in the early stages and you don’t yet have the funds to hire someone to help with your to-do list, look into internship programs where you can get help from a student in exchange for class credit. Consider bartering or exchanging services with someone whose services you need and who might also be in need of your services. When it comes to the home front, be sure you are delegating task like dishes, laundry, grocery shopping and cooking to others in your household.  For my single parents out there, don't be afraid to rely on grandparents, extended family, neighbors and the parents of your friends.   If you get creative, you’ll find there are all kinds of ways to dominate your to-do list no matter how long it is.  

​Employ Your Children

​One of my favorite tips for working moms is to employ your own children. If your children are old enough, you probably already make them do chores around the house - why not make them help with your business? I did this with my two boys and it turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only did we get to spend time together, but they also got to learn the ins and outs of running and growing a business.

​Your children’s ability to help you grow your business will depend on their age and skill set. The important thing is to know their strengths and to work with them. If they’re great with the camera, have them record your marketing videos. If they’re social media stars and you’re still trying to figure out what TikTok is, let them handle your social media marketing campaigns. You’ll get through your to-do list faster, and they’ll have a greater appreciation for the work you do.  When you allow them to work in their strength zone their self esteem, knowledgebase and experience can increase which is such a huge win and can be fun for both of you. 

It's good to note that not every child/parent team is a good fit for working together.  If you see signs of them being frustrated and notice you're doing more fighting with them than enjoying the experience, it's a good time to assess the situation.  Perhaps they are working in an area of weakness and the task at hand just needs to be adjusted or perhaps helping with the business just isn't their thing.  Ben, my 14 year old LOVES to help with the business whereas Zach, my 20 year old, has no desire. Ben and I have a blast when he's helping me but Zach was always miserable so I learned not to ask him.  I instead ask him to run errands for me like picking up his brother or running to the store because he gets to enjoy his music while driving around.  Him doing those things gives me the time to tackle other things on my to-do list. It's all about making the right match so that your relationship as parent/child is positively impacted. 

​Make Time for Self-Care

​This is another tough one, especially for moms, but it is one of the most important tips for working moms I can provide. As moms, we often feel like we need to do everything for everyone else, but there’s a reason flight attendants always tell you to put on your own mask before helping anyone else with their mask. You can’t help anyone if you can’t breathe, and the rule still applies to less dramatic scenarios. If you’re tired because you’re foregoing sleep or because you’re eating whatever’s available instead of making sure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs, you won’t be able to work as effectively. You’ll also be cranky and resentful, which will inhibit your ability to really enjoy spending time with your family.  Ask me how I know?!

​Trust me when I say taking time for yourself is just as important as working on your business and taking care of your family.

​Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to dominating your to-do list as a busy mom than I could possibly cover in one blog post. If you’re in need of more tips to get you through the day without feeling burned out, you can schedule your FREE clarity call now to see how I can help you spend more quality time with your family without sacrificing income.