| Over 12 years of working from home, one | | | | mentor. |
| would imagine that I have my time | | | | - Set Family Rituals: Daily routines, |
| management system set in stone. Much to | | | | weekly date nights, monthly family |
| your surprise, I find great success in | | | | trips, annual vacations, etc. Have an |
| some general time management principles | | | | alternative or back-up plan for |
| that I stick to instead. | | | | inclement weather or an occasional |
| By establishing a few principles or | | | | once-in-a-lifetime promotional |
| guidelines for your time, you are able | | | | opportunity that you can't pass up. Make |
| to prioritize them to fit your personal | | | | sure the alternative play date is much |
| lifestyle and family life. | | | | better and enticing. Your family comes |
| Your time management principles or | | | | first! |
| guidelines allow you the flexibility to | | | | - Set religious/spiritual time. Have |
| adapt your duties, responsibilities and | | | | daily, weekly, monthly appointments, |
| obligations around your personal choice | | | | devotions, prayers, etc. Practice freely |
| and needs. | | | | and openly and let faith, peace and joy |
| Listed below are some general time | | | | lead and guide you. |
| management principles to help guide you: | | | | - Set Personal Time. Vacation and down |
| - You can mix business with pleasure--as | | | | time is critical to your success. Mommy |
| long as the game rules are agreed upon | | | | or women-outings are also necessary. |
| in the beginning. This allows your time | | | | During your personal time, check emails |
| management principles the respect and | | | | and voice messages only during downtimes |
| priority they deserve. I would not have | | | | in the airport or travels, but don't |
| my husband's full support for my | | | | make it a priority. Make the priority to |
| business if he didn't truly understand | | | | stay away from the office and take of |
| my duties and responsibilities. By | | | | you. |
| better understanding the ground rules of | | | | - The luxury of flexibility means the |
| my business time management principles, | | | | ability to adapt your work obligations |
| not only do I gain my biggest supporter, | | | | in priority order with faith and family |
| but I develop my strongest advocate. | | | | obligations taking precedence. |
| - Set reachable goals, deadlines, and | | | | Now, 10 years later and pregnant, I know |
| track your progress. Set daily, weekly, | | | | that my sleep schedule and hands-on baby |
| monthly and annual deadlines check | | | | time will force me to re-adjust my |
| lists, to-do lists, electronic memos, | | | | "system". I find peace knowing that I |
| calendars, events, etc. Keep an | | | | have control of my time management |
| accountability chart that works best for | | | | principles, and I have the ability to |
| you and stick to it. If you are not good | | | | prioritize accordingly. |
| at being accountable to yourself, | | | | Challenge yourself to grow and prosper |
| involve your spouse, child, virtual | | | | in the luxury of adjusting your time, |
| assistant, or hire a business coach or | | | | rather than systemizing it. |