As a working mother, it can often feel like you are constantly juggling multiple roles and responsibilities.
I have experienced my fair share of guilt. I love my job and am passionate about teaching, but it often feels like there aren’t enough hours to complete everything.
One of my biggest sources of guilt is the feeling that I am not spending enough quality time with my children. When I leave for work in the morning, I often feel like I am missing out on important moments in their lives.
Over time, I’ve learned some tips and tricks that have helped me maximise my productivity while ensuring I have enough time for myself and my family.
Setting clear goals and priorities for yourself is essential.
Start by listing everything you need to accomplish in a given day or week, then rank those tasks in order of importance. This will help you stay focused on what matters and prevent you from getting sidetracked by less important tasks.
Take some time each evening to plan out your schedule for the next day, including any meetings or appointments you have, deadlines you need to meet, and tasks you need to complete.
This will help you stay organised and make the most of your time. I always include a daily highlight in this planning; this is the one task that has to be accomplished in the day.
Use technology to your advantage.
There are countless apps and tools available that can help you stay organised and maximise your productivity.
For example, you could use a task management app like Todoist to keep track of your to-do list or a time-tracking app like Toggl to help you stay focused and avoid distractions.
Take some time to explore the different options available and find the ones that work best for you. I studied them all and decided a paper and pen was best, this is your journey though so have a look at range before making your choice.
Take breaks.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you must constantly work to be productive, but that’s simply not true.
In fact, taking regular breaks can help you be more productive in the long run. Take breaks throughout the day to stretch, get some fresh air, or recharge your batteries. The Pomodoro Technique can help with this.
The Pomodoro Technique helps people focus on completing tasks by breaking them down into 25-minute intervals called Pomodoros, followed by short breaks.
By implementing effective strategies, you can find success both at work and at home. Remember to set realistic expectations for yourself, prioritise self-care, and focus on one task at a time. With dedication and determination, you can overcome the challenges balancing all aspects of your life, whilst watching your children grow up.
If you enjoy this email, please share it so more readers can find it. If you need advice or writing tips, I would love to hear them. Drop them in the comments or email me by hitting reply to this newsletter.
Until next week, stay safe
Sam 😊
Time is not refundable; use it with intention