How to Stay Productive as a WAHM

How to Be Productive as a WAHM

Looking for more than just the title of “Mom”? How does CEO sound? I encourage you to keep reading on how to stay productive as a WAHM.

 

My Journey in Becoming a Work at Home Mom

As some of you may know, I took this year by the horns and created a business for myself. This opportunity has brought so much passion and encouragement into my life, I want to share how to stay productive as a WAHM.

Not only do I get to call myself a stay-at-home mom, but I have the chance to say I’m a Boss Mom or even better, CEO.

I officially quit my job in June 2017 and decided to stay home with my son. Our childcare was a little tricky and my husband didn’t have the flexibility at the time, so it worked best for us.

Quitting my job gave me the opportunity to create this little blog, along with spending my days with Oliver and watching him grow.

I knew in my heart I didn’t want that to be it. I wanted to feel worthy, to be driven, to meet deadlines and keep my creative juices flowing. One opportunity led to another and I was managing 3-4 clients as a Virtual Assistant.

As of January 2018, I was officially self-employed and it has never felt better!

So enough about that – You’re here to read how I do it all. And I’m here to tell you, some days I don’t.

There can be a day where I have calls lined up and realize I didn’t spend any quality time with Oliver. While other days, we are having so much fun together that I have to work late in to the night to catch up.

The #bossmom world can be tricky but it is so fulfilling.

Time Management

There’s only 24 hours in a day – Maximize your time to minimize your stress.

Use a Planner

With this day and age, technology is taking over. I like to consider myself a little old fashion.

There’s nothing that feels better than putting pen to paper. For me, I think of this as my Brain Bump. I’m constantly having ideas, tasks and errands consuming my head.

While you’re at it, grab a fun notebook! It has felt so great to write out my To-Do lists, Clients work that needs to be done etc.

 

Give Yourself a Schedule

Decide what time of day works best for you.

I always try to plan a three hour gap in my afternoon to get work done while the boys take a nap. Some afternoons are cut short, but for the most part I can schedule phone calls and prioritize projects during this time.

When I’m not working the nap time hustle, I set my office hours and stick to it! It’s easy to slip and answer emails at 9pm but don’t do it! Give yourself a chance to shut off.

Wake Up Early

This is a very common suggestion that helps moms whether you stay at home with the kids or not.

Getting up before everyone else allows you to have time for yourself and work. I enjoy getting up, grabbing coffee and catching up on emails before my son wakes up.

Other mornings I will shower and get ready for the day, then focus on work for an hour before everyone is out of bed.

I’m sure there are plenty of you that use your phone as an alarm clock. But I think this Sunrise Stimulation Wake Up Light is genius!

Find Your Work Space

It doesn’t take much to feel overwhelmed with paperwork and clutter. Find a space in your home where you can work and get tasks done.

Our new home has an office that I’ve turned in to my personal space. It feels great to sit down at a desk and work on a few projects and feel accomplished.

I will admit I have fallen in to the routine of working from my couch, but I try to prioritize and make sure I’m staying focused!

Preventing the Burnout

There’s nothing worse than burning the midnight oil, day after day.

Can I guess how many times you say “There’s just not enough hours in the day”

And you’re totally right. So let’s find ways to avoid the burnout so you can enjoy your time while at your desk.

Ask for Help AKA Find a Babysitter

It took me a while to realize that I needed help. On the days where I know my husband is working 8-10 hours, I try to plan a babysitter so I can either run errands solo or leave the house and get work done at my local coffee shop.

The mom guilt was intense at first. I always told myself “why do I need a babysitter? I can get this done. I’m a pro at multi-tasking”

Trust me.

As much as we want to prove to ourselves that we can do it all and be a badass mom, some days we just need a break.

Prioritize

Make your lists. And check them twice.

Just kidding, but seriously, do not be afraid of making lists and prioritize what needs to be done.

I try and write down lists for the week for each client, what projects we are working on and what deadlines need to be made. Then for each morning I wake up, I go through my emails and see what absolutely needs to be done that day.

My job is for my clients to grow and give them a peace of mind that I am taking care of the back end, while they are front and center.

Asana is a great tool for project and team management!

Engage in Self Care

If there’s only one thing you take away from reading this, let it be – You cannot pour from an empty cup. 

When mama is burnt out, we all know the trickle down effect. We start getting irritable, the house falls apart, too much take out, everyone feels neglected, and so on and so on.

Give yourself an hour a day to fill your cup. I enjoy a good pedicure and sitting in a quiet room all by myself.

Whatever it is. Just do it. 

Accountability

I’m an Entrepreneur and I work 100% solo. So how do I hold myself accountable? It’s no easy task for a WAHM.

Working Mom Group

Not only are Facebook groups an amazing way to network, but they give you great accountability!

I have a list of my favorite groups and they provide great feedback for my business as well as personal.

Check out Online Business Building Mamas & The Part Time CEO

Hire a Coach

So here’s the thing. You can’t invest in your business, without investing in yourself.

Find a coach that can put the missing pieces together.

My dearest friend, Janelle Lara, is The Part-Time CEO and she has one of the greatest Facebook communities I have ever seen. She creates six-figure businesses for female entrepreneurs, how amazing is that?!

Check her out and if you’re reading this, join her Small Audience, Big Profits Challenge. You won’t regret it!

Be flexible and communicate

Shit happens.

My son was struck with a fever and viral infection for two weeks and all I could really do was be flexible and keep the communication open with my clients.

I tried to dedicate time for them, but I knew my son needed my attention (We all want our mamas when we’re sick right?). So my best resolution was working from the couch with a sick babe on one side and my laptop on the other.

Hire a VA

New to the term VA?

It stands for Virtual Assistant. And that’s exactly what I am.

It doesn’t matter what type of business you run, we all have To-Do lists up the wazoo. Insert me. 😀

If you’re looking for more information on hiring a Virtual Assistant/Online Business Manager, I encourage you to book a call with me! Click the link here, and we can talk about what your business needs.

Check out Kelsey Lynne Virtual Solutions for more information about my biz!

Know when it’s time to step away

Between my personal blog, working from home, taking care of my son and home AND being pregnant – yes I may be slightly crazy.

I have realized that I need to know when it’s okay to have a day away. It’s best if I put my phone down and pause. To take my son to the park and keep my phone in the diaper bag.

Blogging burnout is a real thing, and it’s no different than having a mom-burnout or totally exhausted with work. Best solution; turn off social media and be in the moment.

I’m hoping this can help a lot of my Boss Moms out there. I know these tips work best for me and I find reassurance when I know other mamas are kicking butt and taking names too!

Are you a WAHM? What does your time management look like?

Check out my past post My Work-At-Home Mom Routine

How to Be Productive as a Work At Home Mom