Mamas, let’s do something great.
Come on now – get that coffee brewed and roll up your sleeves! They say that the early bird gets the worm, so we put together the best productivity tips for work-at-home moms.
As a mom, we wear many hats: caregiver, cleaner, home chef, scheduler, carpool chauffeur. Can you relate? Yup, we thought so.
For work at home moms, productivity is crucial. Being a parent is a full-time job in itself, so imagine putting a conventional career in the mix? It takes a lot of focus and task-juggling, but it’s definitely feasible.
You, amazing mama, can excel in both.
How to Schedule Yourself as a WAHM
Work-at-home moms, also known as WAHMS, have tons of duties to take into consideration. First and foremost, scheduling work time vs. parenting time involves a lot of thought. How do you balance it all? We need to not only focus on our families, but our careers as well.
Most work-at-home moms strive on a rigorous routine to successfully complete their mommy/work day. When it comes to parenting, routines are crucial. But, they’re only effective if you’re actually productive within that scheduled time.
For this reason, we put together a list of productivity tips to keep your sanity and tasks in-check. Take a look:
Our Very Best Productivity Tips for Work-at-Home Moms
Enjoy Breakfast/Coffee at the Start of the Day
This one may sound simple but sometimes, it’s the simplest of tasks that are the most effective. Let go of any excuse that you can’t enjoy a hot brew. Make an effort and carve out time to enjoy a healthy breakfast and cup of Joe first thing in the morning. You may have to wake up earlier or arrange “quiet time” with the kids – but make it happen!
I actually talk about the importance of “morning coffee time” in my mommy self-care guide. You’ll find that with the extra fuel, you’ll be so much more productive within your day.
Get Ready at the Beginning of the Day
As a work-at-home mom, it’s easy to lounge around in your comfiest clothes. I mean, no one really sees you, right?
Remember what they say: “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.”
In an article from Scientific American, studies have shown that “what you wear can influence your thinking and negotiating skills…”
Getting ready for work can be crucial in your productivity. As WAHMs, we don’t really get out as it is. Feeling fresh in a clean, work-appropriate outfit can help boost your confidence and get you going at the start of your day.
Be Sure to Take Breaks
Taking breaks is vital in your productivity. They help reduce mental fatigue and boost brain function.
Be sure that your breaks are scheduled and well thought-out. Taking too many breaks or very long ones can cause an opposite effect and hinder productivity.
Time Block
Time blocking my schedule has changed my day-to-day… for the better! There are several ways to go about it. Find a process that works best for your family and schedule.
I complete mine with a “big to small” approach. I start “big” by jotting down my tasks for every week. Then, I scale those tasks down on my daily schedule, with specific time frames for completion.
The time blocking method helps me manage my day. It ensures that I am getting things done in a timely, productive manner.
Schedule Work Tasks a Week in Advance
Advance scheduling helps a lot with time blocking. Every Friday, I write-out my entire schedule for the following week. This gives me a good idea of what’s to come, allowing myself to mentally prepare (and then relax for the weekend!).
Maintain Regular Work Hours
The hardest part about being a WAHM is “signing off” for the day. Your office is your home, your home is your office. When do you know to check-out and leave work, when you’re always (technically) there?
Be sure to give yourself regular working hours – this ties in with your time-blocked schedule.
When it comes to actual work, I schedule myself with normal working hours. Once those hours are complete, there is no going back… not to my emails, my computer, etc. I am signed off as if I actually “left” the office.
To summarize
How to Stay Productive While Working from Home:
- Enjoy your breakfast and coffee at the start of the day
- Get ready/dressed at the beginning of the day
- Take breaks!
- Time block and schedule everything out a week in advance
- Maintain regular working hours
Are you a work-at-home mom? Which one of our productivity tips do you think will work best for you?
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