Maximizing Your Time: 6 Schedule Tweaks for Work-From-Home Moms

As a work-from-home mom, you may have picked up a few time management tips and tricks from colleagues, friends, or your own experiences. However, putting these strategies into practice can be challenging. Creating and sticking to a schedule that balances work and family obligations can feel overwhelming. But don't worry, with these six effective hacks, you can take control of your time management and productivity, and juggle the demands of work and home like a pro!

1. Leave Some Wiggle Room in Your Schedule

 As a work-from-home mom, it's essential to leave some wiggle room in your schedule. Introducing "buffer-time" - the time you set aside in between tasks or meetings to take a break.

Avoid overloading your calendar with back-to-back activities, and instead, block out some buffer-time. Trust us; your future self will thank you for it. 

This simple strategy can help boost your productivity and prevent burnout, making your days more manageable and less exhausting. 

2. Organize Yourself

Staying organized can be a major life adjustment that doesn't come naturally. It may seem like a daunting task at first, but the benefits are worth it. 

Did you know that, on average, Americans waste around 2.5 days a year looking for lost items? You don't have to be one of them. Take the time to find a designated spot for your belongings, and make it a habit to return them there after use. 

The same habit goes for computer files - establish a straightforward filing system and save new documents to the appropriate folder. These small steps can help you stay organized and save valuable time in the long run. 

3. Apply the 80-20 Rule

The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule states that 80% of your outcomes will be the result of 20% of your actions. In other words, you can accomplish 80% of your work in just 20% of your time. 

You can apply this concept to your time management strategy. Start by identifying the tasks that yield the most significant results and prioritize them. Spend more time on those actions and consider cutting back on tasks that consume time without producing desirable outcomes. By focusing on the most effective tasks, you can streamline your productivity and achieve more in less time.

4. Do Something While Waiting

You may find yourself waiting in various situations, such as the grocery store, doctor's office, or in traffic. Instead of wasting time or relying on your phone for entertainment, why not use this time productively? 

You could listen to a new podcast, read a book on a topic that interests you, or jot down some thoughts in your journal. By turning waiting time into productive time, you can make the most out of your day and feel accomplished, even during moments of downtime.

5. Batch Similar Tasks

Increase your productivity by grouping similar tasks together. For instance, instead of checking your email every time you receive a notification, try scheduling specific time blocks every few hours to go through all your emails at once. 

This approach can help you stay focused and avoid interruptions, making your work more efficient. 

Of course, if there's an urgent message that requires your immediate attention, deal with it right away. By clustering similar tasks, you can optimize your workflow and get more done in less time.

6. Try to Do Less 

Although it may seem counterintuitive, taking on too much work can actually be counterproductive. When we spread ourselves too thin by planning social events or getting involved in other departments' projects, we risk overpromising and under-delivering. 

This can ultimately lead to disappointing results. Instead, it's important to focus on what we can realistically handle and deliver high-quality work that benefits both ourselves and our team.

Which of the abovementioned tweaks do you need to focus on to be more productive and be able to manage your work-life balance? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.