(Who makes up these words?)
If you’re a single parent “homepreneur” or even two busy parents running a small business, you know how it can be with kids at times. Sometimes it seems impossible to be productive and focused when you have kids running around.
Are you with me on this?
I’m a mother of two. Whether you’re running a business from home or going into an office, being a parent has its responsibilities, and it can overrule your plans.
There are a few strategies I’ve used for many years to help relieve the challenges.
1. Work in the Early Hours or Very Late Hours
You need to charge up your internal productivity clock! Before the kids wake up and after the kids have gone to bed can be incredibly valuable hours.
I’m ready around 5:30 every morning to make calls back east where it’s 8:30. It’s exhilarating to start my day in a highly productive mode. After the kids bedtime I might do research, make plans, strategize, or focus on what needs to be done the next day. That’s how I built my multimillion dollar portfolio of investments and companies. (Got energy?)
2. Involve Your Kids in Small Business Tasks
Have your kids pack boxes of product, adhere labels, or file. Pay them, of course, and try to make it fun for them. If you have repetitive tasks they can handle, chances are your kids will actually do it.
There are so many benefits to involving your kids in your business! It gives them something to do so they’re not distracting you. It also gives them more of a sense of what you do and another dimension of connection with you.
Best of all, it instills in them the financial benefits of being responsible and productive! They don’t teach that stuff in schools, you know!
3. Do Urgent Work First and Expect “Emergencies”
There are going to be days when you’re just not going to get anything done. You can’t always plan for or expect those days. It’s bound to happen. You’ll have to take unexpected breaks sometimes. Plan for it as best as you can and just take it as part of the job.
Do your most urgent work first. Don’t wait until you have just 24 hours left to do “whatever.” Surprises can pop up at any time.
4. Plan For Quality Kids’ Time
Don’t just plan your time away from your kids – put story time or play time into your schedule. When you’re with your kids, put work out of your mind and be with them 100%. They need you; and even if they don’t get to be with you all day, they want you to be really there when it’s time. That’s what I call life balance. Being there, wherever “there” is, 100%.
5. Get Life Support
Why clean your house yourself? Why run all those errands yourself? Hiring someone for a few hours a week can help immensely in freeing up your time.
What’s your time worth? $20 per hour? $50? $100? $500? If you get someone to come in just ten hours a week, at $10 per hour, for $100 you get ten hours of your time back to bring in your cash.
What would that be worth to you?
Your turn!
Talk to me. Leave a comment below and tell me what’s on your mind?
