Time Management 101 For Work at Home Moms - Advice For 'Mompreneurs'

As a multi-tasking parent, the question I hear most is: "How do you balance work and parenting?"

It is really a matter of finding time to do it all. Those not so little three words are loaded. 'Doing it all' means different things to different mothers.

'Mompreneurs' love their work and pursue it passionately. Time flies when occupied in that realm. But, there are the children, the school time, the carpooling, the household needs, not to mention the spouse. The list can go on forever.

I recently picked up my copy of The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris. (It was getting a bit dusty on the shelf-wonder why?) Clearly, I needed a review.

He advises the reduced hour work week so that you can live the life that fulfills you. I need to limit work time so I can have more time with my children.

Here's how I try to do it:

A) Segregate your work into "efficiency" groups: Do all your email correspondence in one batch. Do your blogging in another. Dedicate one chunk of time for phone calls.

It creates some rigidity but the benefits are worth it. When you spend time with your kids, give them full attention just as you give each task group full attention when "at bat."

B) Toss junk mail and clear junk out of your way. Don't waste time on "stuff" that does not demand attention. Heave ho--and quickly! You don't have to read everything.

C) Control your email. Immediately delete all the cutesy chain letters despite the punishment for non-compliance. Make sure your spam filter is up to date.

Prepare canned answers to questions that you confront regularly so you can tick them off as needed and still be responsive to clientele. Be brief. Don't let your conversations drag on or they really will. You have to be your own traffic cop.

D)Skim, scan and read fast. You don't actually have to take a speed reading class but do scan things quickly and quickly delete the unnecessary.

E) Focus. Make sure your family and friends understand when you are working. Let them know that if you can work done efficiently you can have quality time with them. Deliver on that promise. Don't talk about work, unless asked.

Focus on your family and friends when you are with them. It is better for you-- breaks are healthy. It is better for them--they will appreciate that you value your time with them. Your kids will bask in the focused attention!

F) Get help. If you can afford to, relieve yourself of tasks you hate. These are the bottom fish on your list; the ones that don't get done. If you can't afford help, try working out a trade exchange of your services for those you need.

While Ferris' book is not targeted to moms, the lessons apply to mompreneurs.

If work at home moms can tame the 'time management' beast, they can live happily ever after!

For more juggling tips for work at home moms, sashay over to http://www.maestromom.com

To learn more about time management for home based businesses, check out http://www.maestrocasa.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lauren_B_Botney

WAHM: Your Ticket to Being Home with the Kids and Earning an Income for Your Family

Have you ever dreamed of a job where you could spend time with your family and earn money at the same time? Most traditional jobs don’t offer that. Becoming a work at home mom could be your ticket to your dream. But before embarking on such a quest, here is some helpful information.

WAHM?

Just what do these letters stand for? WAHM stands for Work At Home Mom. Over the past 20 years, more and more women have come out of the workplace and gone back into the home.

The decision hasn’t been an easy one. It became apparent a long time ago that men were the only ones being allowed to “have their cake and eat it too.” They could pursue a corporate career and still come home in the evenings to the family.

Women with careers had a different path to follow. Besides working longer hours to achieve the same pay and credibility as their male counterparts, they also had to contend with the housework and the kids. After a long day at the office and doing the household chores, the kids sadly got what was left over which was usually a very worn out mother.

That has since changed. Work at home moms are proving everyday that women can contribute to the family financial situation and nurture their families as well. Both online and off, a network of support has been created for any woman who wants to consider an option that will help them meet their needs.

How to get started?

When you talk to your family about the possibility of staying and working from home, you want to have an idea of the direction you will take. Go online to see helpful hints for moms getting started with a work at home enterprise and also a network of opportunities for connecting with other WAHMs.

If your income has been a big part of the monthly family finances, then switching to a work at home enterprise will cause your finances to take a hit. Be sure there is enough financial cushion in your bank account to weather the first six months of your new career. It will take time to establish your business.

Opportunities

First, figure out your interests and skills. WAHMs can find business opportunities to work for someone else doing everything from audio transcription to writing articles to accounting. Be aware that there are scams out there and legitimate companies looking for professionals won’t ask for money upfront from you.

Some WAHMs carve out their own niche and begin an online business. If you are skilled with crafting, you can create a website to promote your crafts and sell products. A blog is also another great idea. Blog about your area of expertise and develop a following. Combine that with affiliate or search engine marketing to generate revenue.

Making it work

With a new career comes the balance between home and work. Just because you are home doesn’t mean you won’t need help around the house or time away from the kids in order to work. 

Consider these tips for creating some balance:

• Develop a set schedule for work and play on a weekly basis
• Discuss dividing up household chores between you, your spouse, and older kids
• Do pre-work such as fixing lunches, prepping breakfast, choosing clothing the night before
• Hire a babysitter once or twice a week
• Separate home office space inside the house

There are advantages to being a WAHM. Plan carefully and be patient. Support from your family makes all the difference.

Work At Home Mom