Everyday Blog

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. When the sun has set and the hours are winding down, we often feel frustrated, as we have not had enough time to complete all those tasks. 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. Set up your phone so that all calls are processed before they reach you. There are some great programs available these days, including Google Voice, which will help you to prioritise the calls that you really need to take, from the calls that can wait. This technology now allows you to block callers that you do not want to be bothered with, in the future. It’s almost like having a personal secretary and will certainly help you to avoid those wasteful minutes, which can add up.

2. You have heard 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. When it comes to planning, make sure that you do it! 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. Before you go to bed, or immediately when you wake up in the morning, spend time planning out exactly what you are going to do.

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. You must insert a “buffer” from time to time when you are planning. 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. Be extra productive when you are exercising. 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.

These days, online coaching experts know full well the value of time management and how adequate planning can help you to free up extra time that you might have overlooked. You will find that professional coaching is widely used by people throughout life and not just in the corporate executive arena. Don’t forget, professional coaching for women is particularly recommended in your case!

Amanda Alexander, Director of Coaching Mums, helps pressure-cooked, stressed working mums who long for more hours in the day. Through her coaching programmes and online life coaching courses, Amanda shows mums how to create fulfilling and successful lives. For your simple 5 step guide to balance as a working mum, download our free eBook today!