Time management is a struggle for the all of us, especially if you are busy with kids or toddlers or you tend to get distracted easily.

Let’s be honest –

We might be great at allocating time and making an extended plan, but we cannot control the factors outside of our control.

And, sometimes we are distracted so darn easily.

I have a confession to make.

I could plan my days easily and it would look perfect BUT when it came to following the plan, I was a mess!

It was not because there was unexpected tasks each day (which does happen!), but it was because I did not know these 7 things about time management and time management strategies that I will talk about in this post.

So, I am writing this post to help you break that cycle and make plans that can actually be implemented.

When I say implemented – I mean by the most DISORGANISED of all as well can implement these tips.

These 7 time management hacks for busy moms that we talk about today WILL definitely work for you.

SO…

Are you ready to take control of your time and business?

Are you ready to be more productive? and

Are you ready to grow your business in the time that you ACTUALLY have?

If you are happy and nodding, then let’s learn how to manage time, avoid chaos and be productive.

Here are 7 best time management hacks for busy moms to help you:

1. FIND THINGS THAT STEAL YOUR TIME

It is true.

There are many things we do in a day that is actually robbing us of time.

Do you remember taking up things that take only a few minutes but quickly become a time consuming task?

Today, I decided to clean a portion of the room which was supposed to take 10 minutes but I ended up taking an ONE FULL HOUR.

I also decided to spend 10 minutes to go through my Facebook feed but ended up spending 30 minutes.

These are time drainers!

You can avoid some if you are mindful of them, but there will always be one or two that will creep in your day. For example, checking email every few minutes, checking messages etc.

So, avoid these time drainer tasks.

Wondering, how?

By scheduling time for these activities in your day. You can start by keeping 30 minutes aside for such activities or keep 1-2 hours free in your day to spend it the way you like it.

You can also break up the 1-2 hours in smaller chunks and adjust it throughout the day. When the time is up, you will get back to work without affecting your productivity.

2. BE REALISTIC WITH PRIORITIES

Let’s be truthful.

We, most often than, add a lot of tasks to our to-do list. We think we can finish it off the list if we plan it out but in reality – we overburden ourselves.

and, then, when we are not able to check things off the list, we feel unproductive and de-motivated.

So, the best way to plan out your calendar, is to stick to 3-4 priorities/tasks. You know, whatever happens throughout the day, you can finish that off the list.

Start by making a list of all the things you want to achieve in a month and then, break them into weekly tasks. Once you do that, you can go ahead and prioritise the tasks (assign 2-3 tasks a day)

You will feel accomplished and motivated when you start checking off the items on the list (instead of staring at a long list with unfinished tasks)

3. BATCH YOUR TASK

Whether it is a business task or a personal one, batch them together.

If you are running an errand, try to club 2-3 together. For example, if you are going to pick up kids, try to incorporate grocery store visit or laundry pick up. You will save time!

Similarly, if you are working on your blog, you can start by researching on 3 topics and making an outline. In the next hour, you can start writing them.

If you research and outline 3 posts in one hour, you will feel more accomplished and save yourself time by clustering tasks at once.

4. TIME BLOCK

Time Blocking was the first time management strategy that we started using with our first blog. It allowed us to take control of our time and make every single second productive.

It is because of time blocking we were able to reduce our weekly work hours by over 70%.

You can use a calendar, a paper or download our time block planner (for everyday planning).

Time Block Planner

If you prefer using an app, Google Calendar can make your life easy. It allows you to create blocks, shift them and color code them.

It also allows you send you notification as and when required and syncs with your phone.

You can start by creating one time block during the day when you will finish your top 1-2 priority task. As and when you get used to the concept of time blocking, you can increase the blocks in your day.

You will also start to understand what works for you and what does not. But, remember, you will have to consciously deal with time drainers.

5. TAKE TIME OFF

If you are anything like me, business is on your mind all the time.

And, if not business, the pending household tasks are hogging your mind space.

When we are tired, mentally or physically, we slow down and it affect our efficiency. So, make sure, you have a few hours each day for yourself and if that is not possible, keep at least 2 days free of work.

If you want work-life balance and productivity, you need to slow down and make time for yourself.

Sometimes I take a few minutes off between tasks to empty my head and relax.

6. LEARN TO IGNORE

It may sound crazy, but there are two things I want you to learn.

First is, learn to say NO.

Second is, learn to IGNORE.

If there is a task that you do not want to do or if it is ok that its unfinished, you have to say NO.

You do not have to take on additional projects, you do not have to take on something for free because a client has been working with your for months now or you do not have to attend every PTA meeting for your kids.

Saying NO is a skill that comes handy and saves a lot of time.

Similarly, you do not have to answer each and every call or email in a day. I ignore many calls or emails that I know will take up considerable time of mine (and, they are not on my priority list).

It is ok to set boundaries and it is ok to be ok with the idea of this. There is no judging! You gotta do, what you gotta do!

7. LET GO OFF PERFECTION

This has been my secret for a very long time now.

You have to stop running behind “perfect”. It does not exists, and therefore, you will only waste your time if you try to achieve it.

Instead, take up one task and finish it off to the best of your abilities in that time frame.

So, next time you think of doing it perfectly, stop right away.

8. DELEGATE

I understand if you are going to look over this tip because you think there is money involved in delegating business tasks.

But, think creatively. You can delegate personal or household tasks to make more time for your business tasks.

For example, you can ask for help from your husband or parents a few days in a week or a month. They can look after your kids for ONE day which can give you some more time to finish business tasks.

Similarly, you can set up an arrangement with another mom to babysit your kid for one day in a month in exchange for you doing the same for her.

There are many creative way to delegate tasks or making more time in a day.

Last but not the least, don’t make time management your enemy. Sometimes we get so obsessed with an idea, that it affects us in many ways.

You need to commit to control and utilise your time in a better fashion and if you go haywire a few days, you need to accept it and move on.

It happens!

This is it for this post.. these are some of the secret time management hacks that I have learned with experience (and, that no one tells you these).

Try out some of these time hacks for busy moms just like you. I know that they have worked for us and many that I have shared this with!