Time Management, for Busy Moms

Time Management is such a complicated topic for Moms. The truth is, we don’t have complete control over our time which makes it tricky to manage. But you can try to get ahead of anything that can derail you with a little bit of forward planning. By spending just a few minutes the night before, you can set yourself up for an amazing day ahead.

If you have so much on your plate, getting started is your issue, read my previous post on getting motivated.

Reflect

Before you start thinking about tomorrow, reflect on today. You can do this at the end of your work session or just before dinner. Take a moment to think about the day that just passed. What went well? What could have gone better? What did you learn about yourself and others? Where was time management an issue? Jot down any thoughts or ideas that come to mind. This reflection will help you learn from your experiences and make improvements for the next day.

Prioritize

Next, take a look at the appointments and other commitments you have slated for tomorrow. Then identify what else you want to accomplish and what tasks are most important. Write down a short list of your top priorities. This will give you a clear direction for the day ahead.

Schedule

Block out specific times for your activities and slot these priorities into time blocks throughout the day. Make sure to include some breaks and time for self-care. Having a structured schedule will help you stay organized and focused throughout the day. Be realistic about what you can get done. It’s OK to have stretch goals, but trying to shove six hours worth of tasks into two hours will just end in frustration and de-motivate you.

Socialize

At dinner or another time during the day, find out what the other members of your family need from you for the next day. This is often where we’re side-swiped so finding out what others need ahead of time will reduce the amount of scrambling you need to do. Also, let them know when you won’t be available to them so that they can come up with a plan when something new arises. This may also help them implement their own time management practices so that they can get what they need from you. Adjust your plan to account for this new information.

Prepare

Think through any preparations you can do the night before to save time in the morning. Lay out your clothes, make lunches, prep the coffee, pack your bags, and organize anything necessary for the day. This simple step can make your mornings much smoother and less stressful. If you plan to workout in the morning, lay those clothes out, too. This approach makes it much more likely you will actually put them on and sweat.

Manage

Make a list. Having your priorities laid out helps you stay focused and manage what you need to get done. It also feels great to check something off the list! If I forget to add something to the list, I’ll often add it after it’s done just so that I can check it off. This visual progress will keep you motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment.

It won’t be perfect

Following these steps won’t mean you’ll have a perfect day. No one else is thinking about how their actions or inactions impact others, quite like you do. But planning your day the night before is like having a secret time management weapon in your pocket. It saves you time, reduces stress, and sets you up for success.

If you want to know nine more habits busy moms use create more time in their day, grab my free guide.