Holiday time - time of peace and happiness !?
Christmas time is supposed to be time of joy and happiness, time when families are together, share their time and great gift sent from God to give us future and hope. Is it really what we're experiencing this holiday season? Rush, luck of time and money, uncertainty... so many things separate us from happiness and peace in our families...
Handling two kids and two businesses I really benefit from every tip that makes it easier for me. Whether it's cooking in larger amounts and using freezer to keep my food fresh (but still home made ;-), working while kids are sleeping or cleaning with help of all family members.
Following are some time-saving-tips that help me during this tough times. Let me know if you find them useful. I'll really appreciate your feedback.
1. Have your kids on schedule.
No TV in the mornings, getting ready for school, morning nap, shopping, pick up from school, lunch, play time, afternoon nap (TV time for the older one), snack time, more play time, reading time, dinner, daddy time, getting ready for bed and sleep time. Set up important times and work your schedule around them. I prefer to play with both kids at once, it saves me time. Cleaning time is also with both kids around me. Younger one already knows how to put toys into the toy bin and older one can put away clothes, clean up bigger mess, etc.
2. Have your partner on schedule.
Let him/her know when you need his/her help in advance, clearly communicate your expectations. If you cook, he can do the dishes. If you do laundry, he can take out garbage, etc. Fridge calendar works great for our family. We note all family events as well as special events (e.g. doctor's appointments, kids performances or night hockey game).
3. Have your work on schedule.
Decide what days/times you work and FOCUS. That time is meant for your business, not for chatting with family/friends! Let them know you can't spend time with them, but you'll be calling them back as soon as possible (don't forget to write it down and call them back - be person of your word!). Great tip for me was to do my plan sheets - I plan my year, month, week and day in advance. Don't make huge plans, plan something achievable, but stretch out yourself. If you plan your work and work your plan, you'll see great difference and big results.
4. Have yourself on schedule.
This is probably the hardest part. With no one else to blame, finally you can show your time management skills.
I don't know if it's just me, but sometimes I seem to run on other people's schedules. It's important to know that lack of other people's planning shouldn't mean emergency in your schedule. (Carrie Wilkerson, www.barefoot-executive.com) I try to deliver this message to people around me. They need to know I have limits and am not willing to give up my work or family time because of their "emergencies".
Other thing I learned from Carrie was to delegate my work. What stuff can others do? Back to the beginning - how can your kids/partner help you out? Who do you know can help you with kids, house work, even your work load? My huge step was to delegate my Christmas cards. Just recently I discovered SendOutCards, checked it out and fell in love with the service... so much that I opened my own account at http:/www.sendoutcards.com/58874 (check it out) and enjoy sending not only business related cards, but personal and family cards as well. I especially like feature of campaigns where you create the card or campaign of cards and have them mailed to as many people you want at once. It saves me plenty of time and work (no more shopping for cards, line ups at post office or late cards as SOC comes also with birthday reminders).
Most important thing when speaking about you is scheduling your personal (quiet) time. Time when you don't work, don't take care of everybody else, when you just spend time with God, take a bath, nap or walk, read a book, listen to music or play some instrument. Take care of yourself regularly, treat yourself, you need it, you deserve it and your family deserves it as well. You'll be amazed how much strength and inspiration you'll receive.
Do you have any time-saving-tips that we all could benefit from? How do YOU handle business/work, family and holiday season? I'm looking forward to your feedback.
I want to thank you for reading my first blog post ever. I hope it was inspiring reading for you and wise use of your time. Let me know how you liked it or what needs to be improved. Have a blessed holidays!
Silvia
Handling two kids and two businesses I really benefit from every tip that makes it easier for me. Whether it's cooking in larger amounts and using freezer to keep my food fresh (but still home made ;-), working while kids are sleeping or cleaning with help of all family members.
Following are some time-saving-tips that help me during this tough times. Let me know if you find them useful. I'll really appreciate your feedback.
1. Have your kids on schedule.
No TV in the mornings, getting ready for school, morning nap, shopping, pick up from school, lunch, play time, afternoon nap (TV time for the older one), snack time, more play time, reading time, dinner, daddy time, getting ready for bed and sleep time. Set up important times and work your schedule around them. I prefer to play with both kids at once, it saves me time. Cleaning time is also with both kids around me. Younger one already knows how to put toys into the toy bin and older one can put away clothes, clean up bigger mess, etc.
2. Have your partner on schedule.
Let him/her know when you need his/her help in advance, clearly communicate your expectations. If you cook, he can do the dishes. If you do laundry, he can take out garbage, etc. Fridge calendar works great for our family. We note all family events as well as special events (e.g. doctor's appointments, kids performances or night hockey game).
3. Have your work on schedule.
Decide what days/times you work and FOCUS. That time is meant for your business, not for chatting with family/friends! Let them know you can't spend time with them, but you'll be calling them back as soon as possible (don't forget to write it down and call them back - be person of your word!). Great tip for me was to do my plan sheets - I plan my year, month, week and day in advance. Don't make huge plans, plan something achievable, but stretch out yourself. If you plan your work and work your plan, you'll see great difference and big results.
4. Have yourself on schedule.
This is probably the hardest part. With no one else to blame, finally you can show your time management skills.
I don't know if it's just me, but sometimes I seem to run on other people's schedules. It's important to know that lack of other people's planning shouldn't mean emergency in your schedule. (Carrie Wilkerson, www.barefoot-executive.com) I try to deliver this message to people around me. They need to know I have limits and am not willing to give up my work or family time because of their "emergencies".
Other thing I learned from Carrie was to delegate my work. What stuff can others do? Back to the beginning - how can your kids/partner help you out? Who do you know can help you with kids, house work, even your work load? My huge step was to delegate my Christmas cards. Just recently I discovered SendOutCards, checked it out and fell in love with the service... so much that I opened my own account at http:/www.sendoutcards.com/58874 (check it out) and enjoy sending not only business related cards, but personal and family cards as well. I especially like feature of campaigns where you create the card or campaign of cards and have them mailed to as many people you want at once. It saves me plenty of time and work (no more shopping for cards, line ups at post office or late cards as SOC comes also with birthday reminders).
Most important thing when speaking about you is scheduling your personal (quiet) time. Time when you don't work, don't take care of everybody else, when you just spend time with God, take a bath, nap or walk, read a book, listen to music or play some instrument. Take care of yourself regularly, treat yourself, you need it, you deserve it and your family deserves it as well. You'll be amazed how much strength and inspiration you'll receive.
Do you have any time-saving-tips that we all could benefit from? How do YOU handle business/work, family and holiday season? I'm looking forward to your feedback.
I want to thank you for reading my first blog post ever. I hope it was inspiring reading for you and wise use of your time. Let me know how you liked it or what needs to be improved. Have a blessed holidays!
Silvia
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