In an attempt to simplify my life (aka: dig myself out of chaos) I’ve started scheduling my time. I know I started this a while back, but the busier I get the more I find myself slipping… I don’t consider myself a mommy-blogger since my blog is part of my home business, not a journal of my day, but I am a stay at home mom who blogs, as well as owning/managing a web development company.
So, I’m sharing a few things that have been helping me the last week or two.
Keep the Schedule Basic
This is the hardest part for me. I tend to over organize, trying to schedule every moment of my time. Then someone emails to say their site has crashed, or even more urgent: Lil Man needs help in the bathroom. There goes five minutes – two hours. My schedule is wrecked. I simply can’t handle the roller coaster that is a wrecked schedule.
Break Up the Day
So, I’ve been scheduling more by time of day. Mornings are for catching up on what wasn’t done the day before, blogging, a little social media, and if there’s time left, some project work. After lunch, when my little one is napping, it’s time for serious, scheduled projects. I have days scheduled for my weekly clients. On the days I have something scheduled (Mon, Wed, Thur + Fri) I work on a specific client’s projects. On other days, or if a client doesn’t have something they’d like me to do then I can work on 1-time projects such as a new site design, Twitter background, etc.
When my little one wakes up, I get off the computer immediately. We go outside for a walk, sneak up on the frogs in the marshy area across from the house, sword fight in the front yard, or if it’s rainy we play in his room for a while. If there’s still time left after we’ve played a while then I’ll get back on my computer, but I make myself get off my 4pm so I have time for housework, laundry, and cooking supper. This gives me 2 hours of good hard work-around-the-house time.
Keeping my schedule very basic has helped me get things done in an orderly fashion, while remaining flexible. I’ve been blogging less, but I’ve been working more and making more money.
Keep the Major Projects Minimal
Starting in February, for the first time ever, I have weekly clients. I do site management, offer technical support, and graphics services. The clients have me on a retainer of at least so many hours per week. This helps tremendously with the scheduling of my bigger projects. since taking on more ‘regular’ work I’ve been limiting myself to two major site designs per month. When smaller things come along I have to make a decision. Can I squeeze in this Twitter background design? Do I have two hours this afternoon to design an ad package? Because I keep my morning’s scheduled very loosely I often have time to sneak a thing or two in.
Where has this gotten me?
Less stress
Way. Less. Stress. This is by far the best benefit of a schedule.
More work
The better schedule means I’m more productive, which is turn means I can take on more work without adding to my stress level. I’m currently booked through mid-July with more people in the wings, just waiting to know if they can be added to my waiting list.
More Money
While it seems like more work automatically equals more money, that’s not always true. If you’re over booked and overstressed it’s likely some things won’t get done on time and you’ll have to offer a refund. Having a schedule and sticking to it means you actually have a ‘waiting list’ and being able to say “I’m booked the next two months…” shows you’re in high demand, which means you can charge more.
Everyone is Different
- If you work from home I’d love to know what your schedule is like.
- Do you use any tools to manage your projects?
- If you have kids at home how do you get them to understand when it’s play-with-mommy time and when they need to play alone and let you work?
Hi Erica. I'm definitely not a mom or dad, but I am starting to blog. I'm still trying to find a schedule that works for me during the week because I do have a full time job. Thanks for providing some insight on how you schedule your week.
Hey Erica,
interesting post. I've worked at home for most of the past 5 years on my own, and yes, it has its challenges, but the benefits of being able to mix family and work time are awesome. I love living my life.
I find it's important to never lose focus on what puts food on your table. Giving stuff for free is great and all, but you need to feed your family, so focus on those things first, and then as time permits, indulge in other stuff.
Brandon
I suspect it's not just being a blogging mom that creates pressure and that any working mom has similar time scheduling nightmares. It's a two edged sword. You have the flexibility to work from home that benefits your son but you have the disadvantage (maybe) that you don't have that air gap between work and your domestic life. Good to see you are finding the balance.
John,
I think the secret is to schedule loosely and don't allow yourself to become discouraged when the schedule has to change. As my wise father in-law says, We make plans so we have something to deviate from.
We need some kind of schedule, and the will power to stick to it, but we can't be too hard on ourselves when things out of our control alter our plans. This is where I was having a rough time… having my schedule upset.
Brandon,
Like you, I find working from home and being able to have the flexibility to spend time with family, drop everything and help a friend, etc a HUGE blessing. But, I do have to be careful how often I allow myself to 'help a friend' as my giving nature tends to take over and leave my business flopping. ha!
Loved your comment! Thanks so much.
Yes, I think you've hit the nail on the head, Kevin. It's the lack of 'air gap' between work/play time that us stay at home types struggle with. Especially when we have small children who don't 'get it' when mommy has to work. Mine is slowly catching on… he knows mommy works in the morning and plays after nap. However, the housework/cooking must go on! It's taking me quite some time to figure out how much time I actually need for those things, which day to do what, etc so that I have time for my work/projects that I love so much.
I have started to find my natural rhythm in blogging and social media – it is hard when you work from home!
Thanks for this post!
I totally agree the standpoint of upstairs, and I believe this will be a trend. I often come this forum , rom here I learn much and know the newest tide! the content here constantly update shoe and I love it! Another I know some websites which often update their contents, you guys should browse if you are free. htttp://www.scarf8.net
Jody,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. Working from home is different for everyone. Some of us even strugle with not eating all day long, seeing as how the pantry is 10 steps from the desk….ahem.
Really though, everyone has to find their own rhythm. I think this is why I struggled so much up till now. I was trying to copy what worked for other people, but I'm not a super early morning person, nor do I let my kid watch hours and hours of TV while I work, so I had to find what works for me. 
Jody,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. Working from home is different for everyone. Some of us even strugle with not eating all day long, seeing as how the pantry is 10 steps from the desk….ahem.
Really though, everyone has to find their own rhythm. I think this is why I struggled so much up till now. I was trying to copy what worked for other people, but I'm not a super early morning person, nor do I let my kid watch hours and hours of TV while I work, so I had to find what works for me. 
I always commit to working in the mornings, then my afternoons are free. This works most of the time but not always. I have been posting to my blog daily for the past two years, so it works for me.