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Let's face it being a mum and a small business owner can be a challenging, yet rewarding journey. Balancing the demands of motherhood with the responsibilities of running a business requires careful planning and effective time management. In this blog post, we will look a range of productivity tips, time-saving ideas, meal prep strategies, and useful apps to help you successfully juggle your small business and family life. We will also delve into the Pomodoro Technique, and handy housework hacks!
Productivity Tips and Apps:
Create a to-do list: Start your day by prioritising tasks and breaking them down into manageable steps.
Use project management tools: Utilise apps like Trello or Asana to organise and track your business projects efficiently.
Set deadlines: Establish deadlines for your tasks and hold yourself accountable - use our daily planner below which lets you set times for specific tasks
Time tracking apps: Tools like Toggl can help you monitor and optimise your time usage.
Eliminate distractions: Use apps like StayFocused to block distracting websites and stay focused on your work.
Use our helpful to do list and daily planners to help you accomplish your tasks:
The Pomodoro Technique:
The Pomodoro Technique involves breaking your work into 25-minute intervals called "Pomodoros," followed by a short break. This technique helps maintain focus and boosts productivity. I personally work for 45 minutes then take a 15 min break to do my washing, put food in the slow cooker, make a quick lunch etc.
Use Pomodoro apps: Forest, Focus@Will, or Pomodoro Timer Lite are helpful apps that can assist you in implementing this technique effectively.
Meal Prep and Time-Saving Ideas:
Plan weekly meals: Create a meal plan (BBC Good Food is great for recipe ideas) and shopping list in advance to save time and avoid last-minute decisions.
Cook in batches: Prepare larger portions of meals and freeze them for later use.
Use a Slow Cooker or Air Fryer: These appliances allow you to prepare meals with minimal effort and time investment.
Online grocery shopping: Opt for grocery delivery services or click-and-collect options to save time spent at the store (and any other tempting purchases!). I use Amazon prime now same day delivery which delivers directly from Morrisons.
On a Sunday get all the kids clothes/uniforms organised for the week. I used this organiser for our 6 children which saves me time on a morning looking for uniforms and socks. You may need multiple organisers if you have a few children. I could easily fit 2 children's clothes into one of these.
Scheduling Content:
Put 2 hours a side each week to concentrate on content creation (even if it's when the kids are in bed) It will save you time trying to do it on different days during the week.You can then schedule your content on these platforms:
Meta Business Suite: where you can schedule Instagram and Facebook posts for free, check insights and create auto messaging responses
Hootsuite: This popular social media management tool allows you to schedule and manage your content across various platforms.
Buffer: Buffer helps you schedule and automate your social media posts for consistent and efficient content sharing.
Housework Tips:
Delegate tasks: Assign age-appropriate chores to your children and involve your partner in household responsibilities, don't forget to make it fun!
Establish a cleaning routine: Create a schedule that breaks down cleaning tasks into manageable daily, weekly, and monthly routines.
Use cleaning apps: Apps like FlyLady or HomeRoutines provide guidance and reminders for efficient housework management.
If you don't have enough hours in the day hire a cleaner!
Flexible Working Self-Care:
Set boundaries: Define clear work hours and create a designated workspace to separate business from personal life.
Prioritise self-care: Schedule time for activities that recharge you, such as exercise, hobbies, or relaxation techniques.
Seek support: Reach out to family, friends, or support groups to share experiences and seek advice or assistance when needed.
Networking Tips:
Join local business networks or organisations: Attend events, workshops to connect with fellow entrepreneurs. You can see our upcoming workshops and networking events here
Utilise social media platforms: Engage in industry-specific groups, participate in relevant groups and connect with like-minded professionals. You can join our facebook community of mums in business here
Juggling a small business as a mum is undoubtedly a challenge, but with proper planning, effective time management, and the use of helpful apps and strategies, you can find success and fulfilment in both your entrepreneurial journey and your role as a mother.