We know that we have 24 hours in each day and that this should be plenty of time for us to complete everything that we have to do, with ample time to spare. Whenever the sun rises, we should have a fresh outlook on the world all around us, feeling ready to go and able to tackle whatever life has in store for us. This is not always the case, though, as we always seem to be playing catch-up, even though we have the most honourable intentions in mind. In this way, when the sun sets and the evening approaches, we end up feeling frustrated, wondering why we have not been able to do everything that we had set out to do. This seems especially apparent as a busy working mum and we often ask ourselves how we can become more efficient, or find an extra hour or two to help us out. Is this possible?
1. Maybe you need to “screen” all your phone calls, before they reach you? With technology, some great programs are available to help you do this, including Google Voice, allowing you to prioritise the calls that you must take from those that can simply wait. You can even block unwanted or troublesome calls through the system. By having your own, personal secretary in this way, you will not waste valuable minutes.
2. Learn about outsourcing. It might be difficult to consider child minding, as it is so difficult to find somebody reliable and you might want to take this task on yourself whenever you are operating out of your home, but there are certainly other chores that you can outsource, including all that cleaning work that you have to get done.
3. Get a good time management software program, learn how to use it and stick with it. At first glance it can feel a bit strange, but if you are prepared to stick with it, it will certainly help you to focus and this by itself will save a great deal of time, each day.
4. Plan as much as you want, but make sure you follow through. If you have a long list of items that are swimming around in your head, that you know you need to complete, you will tend to bounce back and forth between them, which is very inefficient. Allocate time to plan ahead, whether this takes place during the prior evening, or when you first wake up.
5. Allocate an hour for communication. This time will include your access to Facebook or other social networks, time to check e-mail and to make all those phone calls that you need to return. You would be amazed how much time can be lost if you’re constantly checking e-mails or taking phone calls without a structured plan.
6. When you’re planning your time, include a “buffer” at appropriate intervals. Never allocate time for a string of tasks, one after the other in an unrealistic fashion. If you allocate a certain amount of “buffer,” you will not get sidetracked, harried or fall off your schedule.
7. Combine your exercise time with “catching up” time. If you allocate, as you should, a minimum of 30 minutes to 45 minutes a day for physical activity, combine this with your time to catch up on the news and current affairs. To do this you might have to put a TV in your home gym, utilise that electronic book reader or even just listen to a particular news or media channel as you go.
Nowadays, online coaching experts are well aware of the value of time management and will help you to focus on planning to free up those extra, valuable minutes of time. You will find that professional coaching is widely used by people throughout life and not just in the corporate executive arena. Why not try professional coaching for women in your situation?
Amanda Alexander is Director of Coaching Mums and a highly acclaimed ICF-accredited coach who delivers professional coaching programmes to working mums who yearn for success, balance and fulfilment. Are you a juggling mom? Download our free eBook for working moms that will give you 5 simple and instant ways to balance your life right now!
