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Running a small business is hard work, especially for a “mompreneur.” In many cases, you are doing the three full-time of jobs of wife, mother and business owner all at the same time. Every day you are doing more with less and trying to figure out how to get it all done smarter, cheaper and faster. But remember, on the airplane the flight attendant always says you must put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping anyone else. This idea is true in your business and personal life as well. Here are 7 ways to manage your life and business as a mompreneur.
Start each day with meditation or prayer: I run like the wind with my demanding profession as a small business expert on top of my mom duties. It’s hard to feel like you are not in a race every day. To keep my one-woman circus under control, I pray each morning. Yoga is another great way to practice meditation techniques.
Stop the never ending to do lists: To do lists leave me feeling overwhelmed. Who needs that? Focus on getting five things done before 11 a.m. each day. Start each day with a plan and anything you accomplish after your top five is a gift.
Be present: Your family wants to feel like they matter more than your work. Limit your work hours. Don’t be afraid to hit ignore and turn the cell phone off at a certain time each day. When you pick-up the kids, talk to them – don’t be that parent in the carpool line on the phone. Don’t be tempted to multitask at work. Focus on phone calls and face-to-face meetings. People can tell when you’re mentally checked out.
Use one calendar: You have one life so you need one calendar for your family and your business. I suggest using Google Calendar as it syncs to your phone. Put all your family and work appointments in one place and you’ll be far more likely to make everything happen.
Take regular breaks: I use the app Coffeebreak to make sure I walk away from my computer every 90 minutes. Then every three months, I take at least a 48-hour break from everything to be good to myself. Think about the things you used to do when you had more time: fishing, gardening, hiking, golfing, jewelry making, etc. You need rest to focus. Have you scheduled a summer vacation yet?
Workout at least 3 times a week: You might feel like you don’t have time, but think about working out in a different way. Use working out as a way to spend quality time with yourself. If you need to think about an important decision in your business, walk or run and think.
Get more rest: I recently read a study that said the body repairs itself between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. when we are asleep. Do not get swallowed up in your work. You can’t get a lot done with a cluttered mind. Focus on getting more rest! You’ll be a lot more productive if you do.
Do you have any tactics to add to the list?
[highlight]Join me Thursday May 9th at 8pm ET for a live QA sponsored by @FedExOffice on Twitter on Ways to Manage Your Life and Business as a Mompreneur. Use the hashtag #SMBMoms and sign into www.tweetchat.com to join in the conversation.[/highlight]
Disclosure: FedEx Office compensated me to write this post and participate as a small business expert during their Tweet Chat program. The ideas in this blog post are mine and not ideas or advice from FedEx Office.
Mother And Daughter courtesy of Ambro / www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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FedEx Office, an operating company of FedEx Corp., has more than 1,800 stores and locations primarily in the U.S. and Canada, providing convenient access to printing and shipping expertise with reliable service. The company’s network features retail stores, centralized production centers, corporate on-site print centers, and on-site business centers at hotels, convention centers and universities. Services include copying and digital printing, professional finishing, document creation, direct mail, signs and graphics, computer rental, free Wi-Fi and corporate print solutions. In addition, the company offers FedEx Express and FedEx Ground shipping, Hold at FedEx Location, and packing services backed by the FedEx® Packing Pledge. InformationWeek 500 recognized FedEx Office® Print Online and FedEx Office® Print & Go solutions with the 2011 Most Innovative Products award. Products, services and hours vary by location. For more information, please visit www.fedex.com/office.
If you work from home separate your business area from the area where your family spends time. Do not have your office in your bedroom or work in your bedroom.
Michelle Porchia
It’s also very important to schedule time off. If you don’t, months go by without a true day off. Also… Get the kids involved when they can. You would be surprised at how helpful a 7 year old can be when you’re doing a mailing and need to stamp 100 letters! And they see why you’re working so hard it!