From Frazzled to Fabulous: Time Management Tips for Busy Women

Do you ever feel as if there are not enough hours in the day? I hear you! As a mum of four with a job and a heap of other things going on, my time is precious. The big question is, how do I fit so much into my day? I’ve some time management tips for busy women and mums that I just had to share with you.

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Get some white boards

I use whiteboards for everything, from meal planning to the cats feeding schedule. Having a whiteboard can help you make a quick note of something and remember it because whiteboards tend to be in visible places. When we write things on notepads, we shove them into corners and drawers, put the paper in our pockets, and generally have those notes out of sight. And you know what they say, “out of sight, out of mind”. That is the last thing that we need. Besides, using a whiteboard saves paper. One of my favourite whiteboard uses is meal planning. I make sure that I have my meals planned out for the week, the plan is visible on the fridge, and the people who can read will know what they are eating for the rest of the week.

Invest in a multi person calendar

There are six people who live in my house and a regular calendar doesn’t cut it. For the last ten years, I have used a multi person calendar and it makes my life so much easier, especially as my kids get older and they all have different things going on. I can add their activities under each name and have a good idea of what to expect each day. If my eldest books a holiday, she marks it out on the family calendar so we know when she will be gone. If the kids have field trips with their schools, they can be clearly marked so I know who needs what for lunch. For my self care days such as my lashes or hair appointments, I add them on there so I don’t overbook myself.

Prep everything the day before

Do you know how much easier life is when you prep it in advance? Even laying clothes out for yourself and the kids can have a massive impact on your time keeping first thing in the morning. I don’t like to make lunches the night before because they can go soggy, but I do like to know what I am putting in those lunch boxes. This means running out to the shop and grabbing those things before I go to bed so I don’t have to do it in the morning.  If you can plan things a few days or a week in advance, even better. I know it is not possible to plan everything months in advance, but planning your day the night before can help you start the day on the right foot.

Schedule a time to touch base with yourself

Things can get out of control sometimes so it is important to touch base with yourself. Every three months, I have a personal finance review to make sure that I am hitting my own goals and ensuring that bills and debts are being paid off. I make sure I look after myself with a weekly bath (or two) on top of my daily shower so that I have time to unwind. Taking care of your family also means taking care of yourself. Having these times to touch base with yourself will help your mental health and ensure that you are regularly reviewing what is working to help you meet your goals. The simple fact is, we have have reviews with our employers on a regular basis to ensure everyone’s expectations are aligned, why can’t we do that for ourselves when we have goals for our success and our family?

Experiment with what works for you and your family

I did not work this all out overnight. It took a lot of trial and error to get a schedule that worked for my family. For years, I tried different things and hacks to find the balance that worked for my family. Some things will work for us for years to come, some things will change as our family changes. When you are trying out a new schedule or idea, give it a few days, preferably a week, before you stick it in the bin. A lot of the time, we know that doing *this* will make *that* better. But doing *this* and creating a new habit is tough. To give you an example, I wanted to wake up at 5 am to get some writing done before the kids got out of bed. That never stuck. Instead, I get up at 6 am most mornings, and write in the afternoon when my kids are doing their homework. Do they interrupt? Absolutely. Is it better than getting up at 5 am? You bet your ass it is.

Get help when you need it

When it comes to raising kids, you need a village to help. Thankfully, over the years, I have managed to find the people who will help me out when I need it. I’d like to give a big shout out to my mum and mother-in-law here, they are a big help when it comes to babysitting. If I have something planned for a Saturday, my mum will babysit for a few hours. My mother-in-law picks my little ones up from school in the afternoon and drops them home rather than me having to book after-school care while I’m at work. However, if my mother-in-law can’t do the school run, I have a back up in the form of the after-school club. If my mum can’t help me out at the weekend, the eldest of my kids (who is in her 20’s before anyone comes for me in the comments) will be in charge for a few hours. And don’t let yourself feel bad about needing someone else to step in. You really think the most well renowned hnwi (high net worth individuals) never needed a helping hand? As a general rule, I try to keep as much of this under my own control so I don’t have to rely heavily on others. But if I need them, there are always options available to help me out.

Do you have any time management tips for busy women? Let us know in the comments if you can think of anything that could help another mum out.