10 Tips For Achieving a Work & Life Balance

Unfortunately there is no one recipe to balancing a business with motherhood, what works for one Mum may not work for another. Just as our children are all individual so are their needs, ultimately I believe with a few tips and pointers we all find our own path to successfully balancing the pendulum of work and family life. Here are a few tips and tricks I have learned over the years:

1. Get organized prioritize and stay focused.

If you are luckily enough to enjoy set work time, without the distraction of your children to interrupt, make sure you use your time well. Don’t waste time – looking for things, sorting through junk mail or even finding a pen. Work out what you need to get done with out the children and what tasks can be undertaken with the kids around. For example if you need to make important calls, have numbers, notes, scribble paper ready. Don’t spend precious time getting organized. Know what you have to do and do it.

2. Plan.

Plan your day – as best you can. I fully understand and appreciate the hick ups to be expected within a Mums day, not all goes to plan. However if you make a plan, and the inevitable hick up does happen you will be in a better position to respond and re-organize for the next day. Make a list each month of what you intend to get done. Then break the list down week-by-week, then day-by-day. If you plan, you can stay committed to getting things done.

3. Avoid time wasting activities.

My office is in my lounge room – to have a separate area for my self would be pointless. I have found being a Mum and a Mum in business there is no separation, my role is as one. I learnt early on, its not my kids fault if they took to my computer, upset my desk, or if they tried to write out an invoice, they are simply being kids. In fact it is my fault, avoid time wasting activities like cleaning up by ensuring your desk / office area is kid friendly.

4. One big shop

You can save time by making fewer visits to the supermarket. If during a week, you make many trips to the supermarket for daily items such as groceries then you might like to try and limit your visits by undertaking one big shop for the week as apposed to many frequent visits. You will be surprised to realise how much time you actually save.

5. You’re not perfect?

Don’t obsess over the little things, you don’t have to please the likes of Jamie Oliver with a three-course meal, it will only serve to waste your emotional energy. Who really cares if you haven’t made the bed, I personally don’t make my bed unless my Mum is coming for a visit. Don’t worry if the house is in a state of chaos, in reality the kids will only make another mess. Do the best you can and don’t get stuck on the little things. If you get the truly pressing items done in your day you will have time. So choose your priorities--your kids will care more that you’re there!

7. You’re not at the office

The hours of the being Mum are 24/7; therefore you cannot expect to run a business in the traditional 9-5 office hours. Consider your day in light of your children’s needs and priority appointments/ phone calls. Answering emails, opening mail, catching up on reading and so fourth can be done when the kids are in bed. Don’t exhaust yourself by trying to run a business and a family simultaneously within the traditional business hours.

8. Don’t allow pressures get to you

Running your own business is no mean feat. If you start to feel pressure, overwhelmed or frustration, simply stop what you’re doing, put everything down and take a break. You can afford to take an hour out of your day for yourself. Have a coffee or some nice treat and refocus. In the long term it won’t kill your business if you take a quick break to reenergize, after all we are only human. I suggest to Mums in business take time to treat yourself, take a day out and enjoy yourself, life’s too short not too.

9. Share responsibilities

For those with partners get your partner involved, you cannot do everything on your own. Your partner needs to understand you’re juggling two full-time jobs. It is important to co-parent and share the household duties so you are not left dealing with all the responsibilities of the family.

10. Incorporate your kids into your business

Let your children get involved in your business. Children love to help, let them staple, cut, sort, stick and so forth. Whilst in reality they may not actually be helping you with your work, you will find your children are enjoying being included it makes them feel important. One thing I have noticed through my own children, by letting them be apart of what I do they understand and appreciate what I am trying to achieve. I think this sets a fantastic example for my children, and teaches them in life you have to work for the things you want.

It is possible to run a family and a business, many every day Mums like you and I have already successfully achieved this accomplishment.

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