Time management strategies are a must if you are a work at home mom. We have so much to do between work, family, the home, etc. etc. it’s easy to end your day feeling you haven’t gotten anything done. If you don’t find a way to plan and schedule your days, you will find yourself wasting a lot of time.
Thankfully, there are many ways you can be more productive every single day. I want to cover six time management strategies in this blog post today. This isn’t an exhaustive list, of course, but it’s a list of ones I have personally tried.
Also, you have to do one – or all. I have tried each of these things at least once, and I do a combination of a few of them now to get the most out of the time I have.
6 Time Management Strategies for WAHMs
Pomodoro Technique
This time management technique has been around since the late 80’s. I have found it to really work for me…when I have a block of time I can do it.
The trick is to set a timer and work for 25 minutes straight. During this time, you are to close out of your email, Facebook, and anything else that could be a distraction. The sprint of work is then followed by a 5 minute break. Once you finish four Pomodoros (100 minutes of work) you can take a 10-15 minute break.
I find it’s harder to do this method when you have children by your side. My two boys tend to interrupt me at least three times during a single 25-minute Pomodoro. When school is in session, it’s easier to make this strategy work.
For WAHMs with children home all day, use nap time to try the Pomodoro technique!
Time Blocking
I heard about time blocking a while back, but was recently reminded by it by Abby Lawson. Her post includes a helpful printable for time blocking, so you may want to check that out! I downloaded it and tried it again yesterday, and was pretty amazed at what I was able to get done.
The idea behind this time management strategy is that you write down all you need to do, and you schedule chunks of time to work on the different tasks. You end up more focused, and therefore more efficient with your time.
Productivity Planner
Earlier this year, I was watching a Periscope session with Mariah Coz and she mentioned the Productivity Planner. I decided to order one on her recommendation and I am glad I did. It’s a very simple yet effective planner and doesn’t distract you from your main goal: getting junk done!
The Productivity Planner helps you prioritize your tasks so you get the most important things done first. It gives you the option to do the Pomodoro technique and track your time, if you wish to see just how fast you can be. There is a space on each page for additional notes as well. I like the inspirational quotes on each page too.
Outsourcing
One of the time management strategies I will recommend the most is outsourcing! There are so many everyday tasks we do in our online business and in the home that we could pay someone else to do. For blogging, you could hire out for social media scheduling or management, email replies, or blog content.
At home, you could hire help with the yard work, laundry, cleaning or even grocery shopping. Outsourcing the busy work frees you up to do the things you need to concentrate on to be more successful.
Brain Dump + To-Do List
This next technique is super easy, and that is probably why it is my favorite. I just do better at getting things done when I write it down. So, to start my week I devote Sunday night to a brain dump. I write down every little thing I can think of that I need to do for the upcoming week.
Then, each day, I can take 3-5 things off the list to
complete. Once I finish those, I’m done for the day or I grab a few more. The key is making a daily to-do list to ensure you only focus on the tasks on it, and not the whole brain dump list. Looking at it can get very overwhelming…but remind yourself you have seven days to complete it all!
I use the brain dump in conjunction with my Productivity Planner. It doesn’t take but a few minutes for me to fill in my day. I just glance at the brain dump list, transfer a few things over, and get started.
Task Grouping
Next to brain dumping, grouping tasks something I love to do. Why? Because things done so much faster! I especially like to do it with blogging. If I know I need to write and publish 3 posts for the upcoming week, I will sit down and write them all first. I will then send them to my husband to proofread.
While they are with him, I will collect the images for the three posts. I will open Picmonkey and edit them all together. The next time I have a chunk of time for my blog, I will look over hubby’s editing notes, make the changes and insert the photos. Then, each post will be scheduled to go live as well as social media shares scheduled in CoSchedule.
Working on similar tasks together keeps your mind focused on a set of tasks for longer. Jumping around and writing a post, then editing it, then doing the photos, then writing a second post just sounds tiring to think about. Task grouping lets you to stay focused and get things done faster.
What are your favorite time management strategies? Let us know in the comments below!
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You have such great organizational ideas and strategies for work at home peeps and just anyone in general who needs to get stuff done! Love check-lists, myself, and use them all the time to stay focused!
Karen
I agree, check lists are a great way to get everything done.
I agree, check lists are a great way to get everything done.
You have such great organizational ideas and strategies for work at home peeps and just anyone in general who needs to get stuff done! Love check-lists, myself, and use them all the time to stay focused!
Karen
These are great tips. I spend 8-10 hours blogging but have nothing to show for it.
Ugh, I feel you. I have days like that too. :/
Ugh, I feel you. I have days like that too. :/
These are great tips. I spend 8-10 hours blogging but have nothing to show for it.
It’s important to have a good schedule especially if you’re a stay at home mom. There are so many things that you need to balance from the actual work to managing the house! I think these are awesome tips! It’s going to help a lot of moms!
You are right, Amanda! I have really discovered the power of a good schedule and plan lately.
You are right, Amanda! I have really discovered the power of a good schedule and plan lately.
It’s important to have a good schedule especially if you’re a stay at home mom. There are so many things that you need to balance from the actual work to managing the house! I think these are awesome tips! It’s going to help a lot of moms!
Oh wow the 80’s Pomodoro technique sounds brilliant, I want to try that out and see if it helps me focus more. Brilliant techniques employed here.
Let me know how it works for you!
Let me know how it works for you!
Oh wow the 80’s Pomodoro technique sounds brilliant, I want to try that out and see if it helps me focus more. Brilliant techniques employed here.
I do a lot of block scheduling, and I also use my planner…a lot. Having lists with boxes to check off just make me more productive. Although, I also thrive on a deadline – I think this is from my cramming days in college…
Haha, yes! I tend to do better work when I’m crunched for time. But I hate the stress that comes with that.
Haha, yes! I tend to do better work when I’m crunched for time. But I hate the stress that comes with that.
I do a lot of block scheduling, and I also use my planner…a lot. Having lists with boxes to check off just make me more productive. Although, I also thrive on a deadline – I think this is from my cramming days in college…
Wow you’ve shared so much great information here. If really like to try the Pomodoro technique next time my kids nap. Like you, I think it would be too difficult to do when the kids are awake. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
It really is hard when you have little ones that want to interrupt you during a sprint. When I have the house to myself, however, it’s a great tool.
It really is hard when you have little ones that want to interrupt you during a sprint. When I have the house to myself, however, it’s a great tool.
Wow you’ve shared so much great information here. If really like to try the Pomodoro technique next time my kids nap. Like you, I think it would be too difficult to do when the kids are awake. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
I so need this right now as I am overwhelmed with working full time, pursuing my MBA full time, running my household, parenting two wildly active young boys and now focusing hardcore on my own blog! So not enough hours in the day! Organization is the only way I am going to stay sane! Thanks for the list!
You certainly have a full plate! I hope these techniques help!
You certainly have a full plate! I hope these techniques help!
I so need this right now as I am overwhelmed with working full time, pursuing my MBA full time, running my household, parenting two wildly active young boys and now focusing hardcore on my own blog! So not enough hours in the day! Organization is the only way I am going to stay sane! Thanks for the list!
I love off my to-do list and find that time blocking is really important! It really allows me to focus during those times and know I have other times scheduled for things.
Yeah, it’s can be overwhelming unless I schedule out everything I need to get done. It’s much more manageable that way.
Yeah, it’s can be overwhelming unless I schedule out everything I need to get done. It’s much more manageable that way.
I love off my to-do list and find that time blocking is really important! It really allows me to focus during those times and know I have other times scheduled for things.
So many things are able to be outsourced so that you can focus on other things. I have a VA that does some things for me so that I can bite into the other things on my to do list.
Having a VA certainly makes productivity easier!
Having a VA certainly makes productivity easier!
So many things are able to be outsourced so that you can focus on other things. I have a VA that does some things for me so that I can bite into the other things on my to do list.
I do the first technique but didn’t know it had a name. Now I know it is the Pomodoro. I used to use it to do housework, if I clean the bathrooms then I’ll watch a 30 min show, then vacuum, then do something online for I have been wanting to do, etc. So motivating.
I do the first technique but didn’t know it had a name. Now I know it is the Pomodoro. I used to use it to do housework, if I clean the bathrooms then I’ll watch a 30 min show, then vacuum, then do something online for I have been wanting to do, etc. So motivating.
Yes to all of this!!! I’m a work at home mom and let me tell you, managing your time gets pretty tricky
Yes to all of this!!! I’m a work at home mom and let me tell you, managing your time gets pretty tricky
Time management is something I struggle with from time to time, especially when I have several projects going on. I’ll need to work on this!
Time management is something I struggle with from time to time, especially when I have several projects going on. I’ll need to work on this!
Great tips for us work at home mommies. I’m learning to outsource more and more. Also added Trello which has been great too.
Great tips for us work at home mommies. I’m learning to outsource more and more. Also added Trello which has been great too.
I love the list of time management strategies. I can certainly tell that I have used a few of these in the past. But one that has definitely worked well for me is the Productivity Planner. I like things visual and written down.
I love the list of time management strategies. I can certainly tell that I have used a few of these in the past. But one that has definitely worked well for me is the Productivity Planner. I like things visual and written down.
I love the Pomodoro technique! I’m not good at this one, but I know women who only read emails at a certain time during the day. That way they’re not letting their inbox rule their schedule.
I love the Pomodoro technique! I’m not good at this one, but I know women who only read emails at a certain time during the day. That way they’re not letting their inbox rule their schedule.
I love a good planner, and I hadn’t seen that one yet! I will have to give these strategies a try since I am ALWAYS dragging and trying to find more time!
I love a good planner, and I hadn’t seen that one yet! I will have to give these strategies a try since I am ALWAYS dragging and trying to find more time!
TIME BLOCKING. That is the best tip on this list!
Thanks, Taylor! It is certainly one of my favorite ways to get more done!
Thanks, Taylor! It is certainly one of my favorite ways to get more done!
TIME BLOCKING. That is the best tip on this list!
It’s so hard to get time management right when working at home. These are some great tips I can put to use.
I agree! It has taken me years to figure it out…and some days just don’t cooperate no matter how much I try to manage my time effectively!
I agree! It has taken me years to figure it out…and some days just don’t cooperate no matter how much I try to manage my time effectively!
It’s so hard to get time management right when working at home. These are some great tips I can put to use.
Great ideas here. Time blocking and doing things in chunks is so important. Next I need to check out less stuff on Facebook and waste my time… I am very guilty of that! #WEDNESDAY LINK UP
This was a fascinating read. I had no idea there were named techniques for time management.