The juggling never stops, and the tiredness and wishing there were more hours in the day. So how do you get more done as a busy working mum? How can you fit even more into an already busy day?
The truth is, it isn’t always easy plain sailing – there will be times when you feel like you’re so busy that your feet don’t even touch the ground. But, how you manage your situation can make the difference.
Here are seven tips that can help you get more done:
1. Stay focused
With so many things on your plate, and so much potential for distraction, you may find that your day takes your mind and attention constantly from one thing to the next and you many feel like you’ve achieved very little at the end of the day.
To help overcome this, while you are working, you will need to remain focused at all times. Remember that you do not want to waste any time and it is important to try your best to not distracted by little things like the internet and other minor distractions. If it helps, list all your to-dos in a list so you don’t forget, but can remain focused on what your doing at any given time.
2. Nutrition
Remember the programme You Are What You Eat with Gillian Mckeith? Well, while a diet full of butternut squash mightn’t be your idea of fun, little comfortable tweaks to your diet could give you the energy boost you need to help your mind and body last longer in the day.
An unhealthy diet will lead to an up and down day that will lead to less focus. If you are able to eat a healthy diet, you will see an increase in your focus. Eat a slow-release breakfast like porridge and eat lots of green for lunch and dinner and youll see the results. Fruits like bananas for also help to give an energy boost so replace your coffee with that and see how it goes.
3. Get more sleep
Getting enough sleep is very important – but, let’s face it, most working mums are sleep deprived even when our children mature. But a good night’s sleep will stop you feeling tired during the day. If you can’t always get this, then find somewhere quiet at work to take a 15-minute power nap to help you recharge.
4. Delegate
Stop trying to be superwoman – she is a fictitious character and can fly…you can’t!
Try to delegate some of the work to your spouse and children and anyone else who is offering to help so you can take the edge off the load and reduce your stress. If you don’t ask for help you won’t get it because others will think you either enjoy doing it all, or don’t want or need the help.
5. Take a break
Sometimes, working too hard can wear you down and so you will simply need to take a break – this can be a day off just for yourself, or a trip to the beauty spa for a massage or something that will relax you. Taking a break may not seem like a feasible option for mums, but you can do it if you out your mind to it.
6. Organisation
If you’re trying to get more things done, then organisation should be the main thing that you should focus on. Use a diary, your smartphone calendar and a family calendar to help you get all the important dates and reminders right in front if you and everyone else that needs to know. When you’re organised, you will realise that things just seem to run smoother, and that in itself reduces stress.
7. Time management
This has been left to last because you’ll likely have read or learnt about it before. When you manage your time correctly, you will surely get more things done. This means that you should make use of every hour of the day and try your best to stay productive at all times.
A good organiser will plan in a contingency, so don’t block book yourself with no time for traffic or train delays – give enough room for manoeuvre if something goes wrong and you’ll always coast it.
