Own Your Time - For WAHMs
April 14, 2008
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By guest blogger Crystal Unrau of The Invitation Atelier and Chysanthemoms.
Have you ever said: “I can’t do that, I just don’t have time?” One very valuable piece of advice I was given years ago was this: “If someone is getting more done, or doing things you want to do but can’t find the time for, it’s not because they have more time than you. Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. Some people are just wiser about how they use that time.”
Time Management is something that is essential to success, especially for a work at home mom. I recently read an article called Maximizing Your Time by Miguel Wickert. The article, written for university students, shows you 6 keys to Own Your Time and I would like to look at those 6 points from the prospective of a work-at-home mom.
1. Time is money
2. Learn to say NO!
3. Make appointments
4. Spend quality time
5. Choose the right crowd
6. Embrace new settings
1. Time Is Money
Yeah, I know. You’ve heard it all before. If you had a 9-5 job, with a paycheque, it would be fairly easy to calculate exactly what your time was worth during those 8 hours. It’s not so simple when you are a work at home mom but the fact remains: if you aren’t working your business, you aren’t going to make money. Every WAHM needs to determine realistically how much time they need to successfully manage their business and then schedule that time. Yes, things will come up - but if you come to accept that your time is worth money, it will be easier to determine what is worth your time and what isn’t.
2. Learn To Say NO!!!
If you had a 9-5 job, you wouldn’t be able to go for coffee in the middle of the day, watch your nieces while your sister gets her hair done, volunteer for every school activity, etc. Just because you are at home, doesn’t mean you are available.
3. Make Appointments!
Plan EVERYTHING, not just your work hours. In point #2, I listed a few things you couldn’t do if you had a boss. But, you don’t have a boss. So maybe you WANT to volunteer in school activities and have coffee with other moms from time to time. By keeping a detailed schedule which sets aside specific times for home, work and family - you will also know how much time you can devote to other things without cutting into your work time. If your schedule says you don’t have time for extras that day - then SAY NO.
4. Spend Quality Time
This really is a huge point but to sum it up - spend your time where it matters the most. Invest in the activities, people and ideas that will matter to you in the long run. Take a good look at your activities and ask yourself: Does this benefit me? My business? My family? If not, then why are you still doing it?
5. Choose the Right Crowd
Miguel used the quote: “Tell me who you walk with and I’ll tell you who you are.” He was talking about peer pressure, and the truth is, peer pressure is an issue no matter how old you are. Surround yourself with people who understand and value what you do and limit your time with those who are negative and overly critical. Develop friendship with other working moms and WAHMs who are successful and positive because those are both things that tend to be catchy:)
6. Embrace New Settings
Remember, your home office isn’t the only place you can get work done. If you need to be out and about, what can you do in the mean time? Listen to podcasts in the car, print out articles to edit while you are sitting in the waiting room, etc. Creativity goes a LONG way toward maximizing your time. A change of setting may also be a useful solution to those days when the phone just won’t stop ringing.
You may read the original article here: http://twentyset.com/maximizing-your-time-learn-to-say-no/
About the Guest Blogger: Crystal Unrau is a work at home mom and the owner of The Invitation Atelier and also the community mom blog, Chrysanthemoms.
To learn more, check out the Mom’s Talk Guide to Organizing Your Life - Step-by-step guide to getting organized, increasing your free time and having way less stress.
Posted by Christina | Filed Under Home Business & Telecommuting
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Chrys, I love number five best. The people I spend time with have a big impact on me. One terrible negative interaction can wreck my productivity for the rest of the day so I make a point of getting the heck away from people who like to snipe.
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