As a working mom juggling a corporate career, entrepreneurship, and raising a 2-year-old, I’ve learned that effective time management is crucial for busy moms. Without it, we’d be drowning in a sea of to-do lists, missed deadlines, and mom guilt. Like you, I’ve been busy looking for time management tips for working moms that seem doable, but I couldn’t find anything that suits my needs!
That is why I am giving you my time management tips every working moms needs to know. Balancing the demands of work, motherhood, and personal aspirations isn’t just about getting things done – it’s about thriving in each role while maintaining our sanity and joy.
Whether climbing the corporate ladder, running your own business, or somewhere in between, these time management skills can help you navigate the beautiful chaos of being a busy working mom without feeling the burnout.
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Set Specific Goals
Setting clear, achievable goals is crucial for busy working moms, and the 12-week year method has been a game-changer for me. This approach has dramatically improved my discipline and clarity, helping me focus on what matters most in my career and family life.
This is a concept introduced by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington in their book The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months. The idea is to treat every 12 weeks as a year, setting and achieving goals within this shorter timeframe. This method emphasizes planning, execution, and accountability.
Here’s how the 12-week year has helped me set and achieve my goals:
- Increased Focus: The 12-week year forces me to concentrate on a few high-impact goals rather than spreading myself too thin. By focusing on what truly matters, I can make significant progress in both my professional and personal life. For example, I set a goal to improve my project management skills at work while also planning more quality family activities. This dual focus keeps me aligned with my priorities.
- Improved Time Management: With a clear 12-week plan, I can break down my goals into manageable weekly and daily tasks. This structure helps me allocate my time more effectively. I use weekly planning sessions to outline what needs to be done each day, ensuring that I stay on track. Knowing exactly what I need to accomplish each day reduces procrastination and enhances productivity.
Embrace To-Do Lists and Schedules
As working mothers, we juggle countless tasks daily. You can find a system that works for you, whether a physical planner, a digital planner, or a combination. I personally use Notion to track business goals and a paper planner for daily to-do lists and schedules.
Establish Routines and Set Boundaries
Routines are lifesavers for busy moms and kids alike. Create structured routines for mornings, evenings, and weekends. Include your little ones using chore charts with sticker rewards – it teaches responsibility while keeping household chores manageable.
As a working mom, I always clock out on time and refrain from overtime work as much as possible because family time is sacred. It maintains work-life balance and quality time with my little one.
Learn the Hierarchy of Your Tasks
Prioritize your daily to-do list by first tackling the most crucial items. This approach keeps you focused on what truly matters and helps maintain work-life boundaries. If you’re like me, who uses a physical planner as a time management tool, I can’t emphasize enough how satisfying it is to tick the long tasks from your to-do.
Utilize Nap Time Like a Ninja
When Zai is asleep, it’s go-time, and I encourage you to do the same. When our kid naps, use this precious time for deep work, quick household chores, or even much-needed self-care.
Imagine how many tasks you can do once you take advantage of it. To give you a little more context, when Zaya is on his nap, I immediately load my laundry and run the dishwasher. It’s all about setting an effective time management strategy for you!
Take a Break
Don’t feel guilty about pausing- it’s essential for recharging and maintaining focus throughout the day. I realized as the years went by that I work better when I take regular breaks because, let’s face it, sometimes, it’s too overwhelming! You must pause and enjoy a cup of your favourite beverage to unload your mind’s stress.
Create a Command Center
Set up a family command center with a calendar, meal plan, chore chart, and space for important notes. This central hub helps working moms stay organized and reduces workload.
Create a Flexible Schedule
With young children, having a fixed schedule rarely works (trust me, I’ve been there!). Learn to create a flexible daily routine that includes work blocks, quality time with your kids, and household tasks. Maybe squeeze in some personal time in your busy schedule, too! As busy moms, we must prioritize it just like any other task.
Follow the “Touch It Once” Rule
Touch it once rule is plainly simple: when you pick up an item, deal with it immediately. This simple rule is a game-changer for managing clutter and prioritizing tasks.
But I get it; sometimes, when we see so much clutter, we often want to do many things simultaneously.
Just imagine picking up dirty laundry and seeing a pile of dirty dishes; you put down the dirty laundry to do the dishes and see that you haven’t thawed your dinner, so you prepare your dinner and see that your kid’s corner is messy.
So the golden question is, “What happened to your laundry?”
Streamline Your Home Environment
Have you noticed your mood lightens when you see your home spotless? I know you’re smiling right now, Mom! A clutter-free home can significantly reduce stress for every mom.
As a busy mom, I dedicate a few minutes daily to tidying up and have designated spots for everything.
I am also starting to teach Zai to pick up after himself so he will know the importance of cleanliness in our home. It’s a life changer.
Prepare Ahead
Use weekends for meal prep, outfit planning, and other tasks that make the workweek smoother. This foresign is one of the most effective time management strategies for working moms.
To ace this, learn what the most challenging task for you to do every week is, in my case, meal prep. So I set aside a big chunk of my time every Sundays to do meal prep and grocery shopping.
That way I can ensure we will be having healthy meal during the week rather than ordering fast food.
Automate What You Can
Avoid the unnecessary stress of not paying bills on time and not having all the ingredients in your pantry by automating everything!
This, for me, has been one of my life’s most effective time management strategies! I can’t count how many times I missed a payment or did a late grocery run because I forgot that I didn’t have eggs in the morning, and all that was left was ice cream.
Automation has been my best friend ever since. I set up automatic bill payments and scheduled grocery deliveries to streamline repetitive tasks requiring more brain work.
Prioritize Me-Time
Self-care isn’t selfish – it’s necessary for busy moms and every mom. Make “mom time: a non-negotiable in your daily to-do list schedule.
Even a solo trip to the grocery store or a quick workout will really do the trick for feeling refreshed and ready to be the best super mom for your kid!
Delegate Without Guilt
Over the years, I realized I couldn’t do it all, and that was OK. I had this perfectionist and “I can do it all” mindset before, but I realized that instead of finishing my long daily to-do list schedule, I spend more time figuring out things I have no idea how to do. So, instead of burdening myself with this dilemma, I learned to delegate.
In my business, I recently hired a Virtual Assistant who helped me maintain our schedule, this blog, and other nitty-gritty parts of my growing brand.
And now, I’m considering hiring a cleaner to do deep cleaning and other household chores so I can focus more on self-care and quality time with my son.
Seek Help
It’s not a sign of weakness! Reaching out for support is smart parenting, especially for new moms. Don’t hesitate to ask friends, family, or professional services like daycare to help you with your tasks.
Remember, it tasks a village to raise a child. So don’t hesitate to seek help with cleaning, cooking, or childcare because, trust me, you’ll improve your quality of life and be more productive once you start reaching out for support.
We’re all in this together, fellow soulful working moms! These time management tips for working moms helped me maintain my work-life boundaries and quality time while avoiding burnout. Find what works for you, be bold, and adjust as you go.
With the right time management tools and strategies, you can excel in your career, be present for your little ones, and still have time for yourself. You got this!
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FAQ
How Do Working Moms Manage Their Time?
Busy moms manage their time by prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, and creating structured schedules. Key strategies include:
- Prioritization: Identifying the most critical tasks and focusing on them first.
- Time Blocking: Allocating specific time slots for different activities, including work, family, and self-care.
- Delegation: Sharing responsibilities with partners, older children, or hiring help when possible.
- Using Tools: Leveraging planners, calendars, and apps to stay organized and on track.
- Routine: Establishing consistent daily routines to streamline activities and reduce decision fatigue.
What is Working Mom Burnout?
Working mom burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress from balancing work and family responsibilities. Symptoms can include:
- Fatigue: Persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
- Irritability: Increased frustration and mood swings.
- Decreased Productivity: Difficulty concentrating and completing tasks.
- Health Issues: Physical symptoms like headaches, digestive problems, and weakened immune system.
- Emotional Withdrawal: Feeling disconnected from family and work.
To manage burnout, it’s important to seek support, practice self-care, set boundaries, and possibly seek professional help if needed.
How to Manage Time as a New Mom?
Managing time as a new mom involves adapting to a new routine and finding balance. Key tips include:
- Prioritize Self-Care: Ensure you’re getting enough rest, nutrition, and relaxation.
- Create a Flexible Schedule: While routines are helpful, be adaptable to your baby’s unpredictable needs.
- Simplify Tasks: Focus on essential activities and let go of less critical tasks.
- Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for support from family, friends, or professionals.
- Use Naptime Wisely: Utilize your baby’s nap times to accomplish tasks or rest.
How Do Busy Moms Stay Organized?
Busy moms stay organized by implementing effective strategies and utilizing tools. Key approaches include:
- Planning Ahead: Using weekly or monthly planners to outline tasks and activities.
- Decluttering: Keeping the home and workspaces tidy to reduce stress and save time.
- Routine Establishment: Creating daily routines to streamline activities.
- Lists and Checklists: Maintaining to-do lists and checklists to ensure nothing is forgotten.
- Digital Tools: Using apps and software for reminders, scheduling, and task management.
