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Between diaper changes, sick days, and meal prep, mom entrepreneurs often find themselves caught in the crossfire of business demands and family obligations. If you’re a coach, service provider, or digital creator, these time-saving strategies will help you streamline your productivity even on a tight schedule. In this article, I highlight 21 tips to keep you sane, profitable, and focused on what matters most: your family.
Mastering Work-Life Balance
Evaluate Your Priorities
Understanding your priorities is the cornerstone of mastering work-life balance for moms. Start by identifying what truly matters to you. Want to take time in your week to volunteer in your children’s classroom? Do it! Want to make sure you meal prep for the week? Let’s plan that in. Maybe taking time off during the holidays is something you always wished you could do. Alright, let’s make that happen. Once you’ve pinpointed these values, prioritize them.
Create Your Top Three “Must-do’s”
This helps in making informed decisions about where to allocate your time and energy.
I often have multiple “must-do’s” for my business and family each day.
Here’s an example of how I plan out my must-do’s.
* Monday (Family): Take the dog for a walk, Sign permission slip, Schedule dentist appointment.
* Monday (Business): Research keywords, Outline Blog Post, Draft Newsletter
*Tuesday (Family): Meal Prep, Message Teacher, Winter Shopping Haul
* Tuesday (Business): Design Social Media Graphics, Schedule in Social Media
There may be days when I am not able to get to all of my to-do list, but I can always defer those to-do list items to the following day or week! Remember, it’s okay to say no to commitments that don’t serve your main goals.
Take Necessary Breaks
Use tools like the Pomodoro Method to work for 25 minutes and then take 5 minute breaks between business or home activities. For me this often looks like this…
8:00 am- Research Keywords and Outline Blog Post (25 Minutes)
8:25 am – Switch laundry into the dryer, Get a cup of coffee refill, bathroom break
8:35 am – Resume business activities from Must-Do List
Sometimes when I am on a productivity roll, I allow myself to finish my task freeing up valuable time later in the day to work on family focused tasks and activities.
Change Your Environment
If your environment is a distraction (because stinky socks can really become a huge mental block for me!) then maybe it could be a good idea to change up your work area. You can do this by creating a designated workspace with a desk or home office, going to a coffee shop or library, or if you can afford it renting out an office space or coworking area to focus on business tasks that can move the needle forward in your business. Add some focus music into your playlist and get to working on your business
Add Some Movement Breaks
It’s easy to get glued to your desk and forget to move your body. While you don’t always need to add in burpees to your routine (unless you really want to!) you can take a break by going for a walk, walking up the stairs, walking the dog, or even stretching your arms. Getting extra oxygen to your brain can definitely help with writer’s block or mental fatigue when tackling larger tasks. According to the CDC, 22 minutes daily of moderate-intensity activity can help your body and brain! Try a dance break and crank up the music, race and time yourself during Netflix breaks by putting away laundry, or even see how quickly you can grab the mail before a timer is turned off.
Improve Your Sleep
Functioning on very little sleep can be a productivity killer, but for busy mom business owners it’s often a huge challenge. Here are some simple ways to get better sleep and be more productive. If your child is young, you can take naps when your child is sleeping or if you feel more focused use that time to work on your business. Create a sleep haven by reserving your bed for sleep and removing your laptop or phone from your bedroom to focus on calming and relaxing activities instead of stimulating ones like scrolling your phone or checking emails. Build an evening routine to wind down like listening to calming music while brushing your teeth, meditating, or taking a warm bath to unwind after a stressful day.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Chat openly with your kids and family about your availability. There’s always going to be someone needing something from you, and that’s normal! But it’s up to you to determine if it fits within your capacity or aligns with your values. Remember, you can’t be everything to everyone all the time. If you’re not struggling with this already, that’s amazing!
Need to reschedule a client call? Just send a quick note explaining your available hours and suggest an alternative time. Ideally, availability expectations should be offerered at the start of any relationship! Want to stop being on camera? Offer non-camera alternatives like Telegram, Whatsapp, Messenger, or Voxer for client communication. Being clear about your boundaries not only helps you find balance but also teaches others to respect your time. A course creator I know, Sarah, found that once she established her availability, both her business and family life flourished. She’d say, “Once I set clear boundaries, everything just clicked into place.” So, be upfront and watch how it empowers not just you, but everyone around you.
The Key Is Productivity that actually works for you
As Shakespeare once said, “To thine own self be true.’ While some business owners find it easy to create content by staying up late, I work best in the earlier hours between 7 am to 11 am. Between the hours of 3-5 pm, I am the least productive mostly because I’m juggling meals, reviewing homework with my kids, and starting our evening family routines. Since I tend to be an introvert with high functioning anxiety, some weeks are spent completely crushing my business activities while other days I spend recooperating and spending quality me time unwinding. Productivity looks different for everyone, and not everyone works at the same pace or rhythm.
Body Doubling
Some business owners, especially those with ADHD (ask me how I know!), struggle with completing tasks. This can be a real challenge to do on your own, especially if you work better in a group setting or with a close friend or colleague. Body doubling allows you to cowork with another person while completing tasks, especially those that are boring or repetitive. According to ADDitude Magazine this can be especially helpful for tasks such as working out or even paying bills!
Project Management Tools
There are many helpful tools that can help map out complex projects such as launching a course, leading a group program, mapping out your social media strategy, or selling a new coaching or service package. Find a project management tool that you find simple to navigate. Many of these programs offer free or low cost trials to help you determine which one is the rigt for you. Here are a few examples of project management tools I have used in. the past that I enjoy using.
Notion, Clickup, Asana, and Trello are just a few!
Delegate and Outsource When Possible
Tired of cooking dinner from scratch? Try a meal subscription service like HelloFresh for a month and cancel when you need to! Worried the laundry and mopping won’t be done? Maybe it’s time to reallocate some chores to your kids, spouse, or even pay someone in your neighborhood or online to do it for you! Sometimes even a week of extra support can make all the difference when you’re working on a client project or a family member is sick and you can’t do it all! Many virtual assistants offer packages that can help with scheduling email marketing newsletters or social media posts, so those tasks can be delegated without stress or worry about getting things done.
Track Your Time on Repetitive Tasks
If you find that the day goes by too quickly and you haven’t been able to make considerable headway on a project, it may be time to track where your time is going and if those tasks are fun or profitable. For example, I use Toggle to track time on client facing projects, marketing tasks, and even product development for my digital products and templates. Using tools like Toggl, I’m able to see what I’m spending my time on.
Prioritize Money Making Tasks
Sometimes you only have time to do so much in your day and that’s why prioritizing money making activities such as sending newsletters, reaching out to prospective clients, building or marketing your affiliate program or booking “sales calls” will actually help you focus on how to grow your business instead of taks that can be delegated or done at a different time.
Plan Space On Your Calendar
As a mom, I know there are days when your kid is sick, you need to go to the doctor, or you have a headache and it seems like nothing goes right! Embrace and accept these challenges by leaving space on your calendar to do nothing. That’s right! Those days will come when you can’t get anything done and perhaps that day is your self care day! Planning in extra time to support your brain, body, and emotions will help you stay focused and alert when the next big project comes along.
Embracing Flexibility
Embracing flexibility is key to achieving a sustainable work-life balance for moms. Recognize that unexpected events will occur, whether it’s a sick child or a last-minute business opportunity. Allowing some flexibility in your schedule can help you adapt without feeling overwhelmed. Consider setting flexible working hours or incorporating a mix of structured and unstructured time into your day. This approach not only accommodates family needs but also leverages productivity peaks, making your work time more effective. Additionally, embrace flexible thinking by being open to adjusting priorities as circumstances change. It’s important to trust yourself to make the right call, whether it’s postponing a meeting for a family event or vice versa. By being adaptable, you can better manage the ebb and flow of both your professional and personal life, ultimately supporting a balanced and fulfilling existence as a mom entrepreneur.
Time Management Strategies
Maximizing Your Schedule
Maximizing your schedule is an essential time management strategy for mom entrepreneurs striving for entrepreneurial success. Prioritize tasks by assigning specific time slots for each activity, ensuring that high-impact tasks get the attention they deserve. Consider using techniques like time blocking, where you allocate chunks of time for similar tasks, reducing the mental energy spent on switching between activities. Incorporate buffer times between tasks to manage unforeseen delays.
Leveraging Technology
Leveraging technology is a game-changer in time management strategies for mom entrepreneurs. Start by exploring apps and tools designed to streamline your workflow. Project management software like Trello or Asana can help organize tasks and deadlines, providing a clear overview of your business activities. For communication, tools like Slack or Loom can cut down on extraneous meetings. You can also explore ways to cut down content creation and marketing time by using AI powered tools like Gemini AI, Claude Ai, Chatgpt, Blaze.ai and more. Using these tools can not only cut down on necessary time to complete tasks as simple and tedious as meal prep to conquering and planning your marketing.
Entrepreneurial Success for Moms
Building a Support Network
Building a support network is crucial for achieving entrepreneurial success for mothers. Start by connecting with other mom entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges you face. Join online communities, attend local networking events, or participate in groups dedicated to mom entrepreneurs. These platforms offer opportunities to share experiences, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights. Also, could you consider joining a mastermind group with fellow entrepreneurs for mutual support and accountability. Professional associations and local business groups can also provide resources and mentorship opportunities. Don’t overlook the importance of personal support; enlist family and friends who can offer practical help or emotional encouragement.
Celebrating Small Wins
Celebrating small wins is an essential practice for sustaining entrepreneurial success for mothers. In the hustle of balancing business and family, it’s easy to overlook minor achievements. However, acknowledging these moments can boost motivation and morale. Start by setting small, attainable goals that lead towards your larger objectives. When you meet these goals, take a moment to celebrate. This could be as simple as enjoying a favorite treat, sharing your success with loved ones, or taking a short break to relax. Recognizing progress, no matter how small, reinforces positive behavior and encourages continued effort.
Maintaining a Positive Mindset
Maintaining a positive mindset is vital for entrepreneurial success for mothers. It begins with self-awareness and recognizing the power of your thoughts. Cultivate positivity by focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you cannot. Start each day with a positive affirmation or gratitude practice to set the tone. When challenges arise, view them as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who uplift and inspire you, reinforcing your positive outlook. Limiting exposure to negativity, whether it’s through media or toxic relationships, can also help maintain a healthy mental state. Practice self-care regularly—whether it’s exercise, meditation, or hobbies—to keep stress at bay. By nurturing a positive mindset, you enhance your resilience, creativity, and decision-making abilities, all of which are essential for managing the dual roles of business and family. This optimistic approach can lead to more fulfilling and successful entrepreneurial journeys.
Seek Professional Mental Health & Community Resources
While it is great to find friends and family that support you, it can also be incredibly useful to establish professional care with mental health or community resources. Counseling and psychiatry can be icredibly useful to help cut through mental roadblocks or deal with an emotional or relational issue you’re facing. Platforms like Betterhelp allow you to chat with counselors even if your schedule is busy via chat, video, or phone. Talk with your primary care provider about ways to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health and look for community resources to guide you towards your personal wellness goals as well as your business goals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being a mom entrepreneur comes with its unique set of challenges, but by leveraging these 50 productivity tips, you can effectively balance the demands of business and family life. By prioritizing essential tasks, embracing flexibility, and establishing a supportive network, you can navigate the tumultuous journey of entrepreneurship with confidence and resilience. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach—find what works for you and don’t be afraid to iterate. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and maintain a positive mindset to fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. Cherish the precious moments with your family. Here’s to thriving in both your business and personal endeavors!
