Time Management The True Key to Running A Successful Home Business & Keeping your Baby Happy At The Same Time by Tracey Dornelles
When my first baby was about 9 months old I decided I was finally ready to try add some work into the mix. I finally felt I was now comfortable being a Mum I would do something else to get the brain stimulated again. Before becoming a Mum I had a high pressure job in the media industry working in radio television in the news departments. I had actually tried reviving that career when my baby was only a bout 4 months old but only to be totally overwhelmed racked with guilt because I wanted to spend away from my baby. So here I was 5 months later ready to take on a totally new challenge running my own online business from home
Now I absolutely love being a full time Mum but I also consider myself a Career Mum because I'm able to bring in the money all while lapping up lots of cuddles giggles at the same time . . but it wasn't always as smooth.
Sometimes in the beginning I struggled to do all that I wanted to do in one day. Such as keep the baby happy do some housework cooking answering emails then keep clients happy Occasionally I questioned myself as to why I was actually doing all this.
So I took a step back started talking to some other successful work at home mums asked them how they are managing to be a Super Mum & you know what the answer was from all of them I'M NOT . But they also had another common theme Good Time Management.
Organisation skills have never been my specialty I certainly hadn't become much better since becoming a mum but I knew that if I could just implement a few things then my baby I would be much better. Here's what I did:
1. Time to write a FLEXIBLE daily plan. Often with babies things don't always go to plan but one thing they do like is routine so try stick to your daily plan as much as you can bubba will be happier calmer more confident which of course makes for one very happy mum.
2. Next thing to do it set a goal for how many hours you'd liek to work each day. You may have to adjust this as you settle into a routine. I aim for 4 5 hours a day spread out over day night but only for 4 days a week but often that will spread out to 5 days. Think about maybe a relative like your Mum or mother in law who will act as a babysitter once or twice a week for a few hours.
3. An average day goes like this:
8am 11:30am The mornings are pretty cruisy just getting dressed having breakfast doing some chores around the house playing. I may check some emails check the diary for the day but I'll leave the more serious work for later.
11:30 1:30pm My daughter sleeps this is when I will put my head down WORK I answer emails make phone calls do some marketing or training depending what day it.
1:30pm 4:30pm STOP WORK focus on the baby again Try do something worthwhile enjoy your time together. Get out of the house go shopping the park or visit some friends.
4:30pm 5:30pm Depending on how your house works your baby may have an extra sleep in the afternoon. Mine does I go back to do some extra work at this time.
5:30pm 7:30pm This is an interesting part of the day It's screaming time . . . bath time dinner time for kids animals adults sleep time . . . aaahhhh
7:30pm Onwards My husband goes to Jiu Jitsu a few nights a week so depending what night it I sometimes work a few more hours. I may train some new people or some up with some new marketing ideas.
The KEY for me is just not to stress out or make a big deal if my day doesn't go exactly to plan. Sometimes the plan goes out the window but that's the fun challenge of being a Mum.
I honestly believe the online world has been a blessing for Mums in particular. It's helps us be able to reach that ever elusive life balance. Without it many of us would go back to work grumble while we worked for crappy money an ungrateful boss but now we're able to earn amazing money all while being able to experience priceless moments with our gorgeous family. What memories do you want to reflect on in 10 years time
Maybe we all could learn a thing or two from our kids take life a little less seriously HAVE FUN
Tracey Dornelles is career mum founder of Mums Mean Business mumsmeanbusiness. com. au a marketing company designed to help mums create their own home business in the personal development industry. Time Management The True Key to Running A Successful Home Business & Keeping your Baby Happy At The Same Time
