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