Work Life Balance is a catch-all term these days. It is used so often and for all the wrong reasons, that it becomes meaningless. Except it is a pretty meaningful subject and something a lot of moms struggle with – especially moms who ware juggling work and family life.
Work Life Balance really means that you feel that you are not being fully present for all aspects of your life. A lot of people use the term to mean that they are just plain working too much and don’t have enough time for home or personal life.
Here are 10 tips to achieve worklife balance and help to fight the working moms guilt.
10 Tips for Finding Work Life Balance working from home
Work in a separate area of your home
Try to separate your work from your home life physically so that it is easier to disconnect at the end of the work day. Even if that means setting up a very small desk in a corner of another room, then it is still YOUR space.
Here are a few small desks that might work in any tight area:
MÜV Standing Wood Workstation in Gray
Computer Armoire – love this because it closes up and looks like furniture.
Decorate your work space
Decorate your work space so that it is a place you want to be and spend time. Use colors and textures that match the rest of your house, while still maintaining an office quality.
Turn your photos into instant canvas prints with Easy Canvas Prints to update the look on your walls. Or add one of two small accent pieces to brighten up the whole space.
Dress the part
Don’t “go to work” in pajama pants and slippers. Dressing for your work day will energize you and start your day on a positive note. Choose a wardrobe that can easily be “work clothes” or “regular life” clothes to make you day a little easier.
Try checking out Stitch Fix if your wardrobe needs a little help. They helped me update my wardrobe since I have absolutely no time to shop on my own.
Minimize distractions
No TV, music, or internet browsing that can distract you from the things you need to get done. Personal hint: stay off Facebook. It sucks me in every time.
Set a timer
Use a timer to stay focused on what you need to do. It is easy to lose track of time while in the middle of a project, but you need to stay on track to get your To Do list done. Here are a few options for timers you can try:
Presto Electronic Clock and Timer
Taylor Multi-Event Timer with Whiteboard
Have a “To Do” list
Speaking of a To Do list – make sure you have one. Here’s a pro tip: try multiple To Do lists. One list with the most important items that absolutely need to get done that day. Then have a rolling To Do list for everything else. Don’t merge your business and personal lists either – keep them separate.
You can purchase our 12 monthly printable Goal Sheets to quickly get you started prioritizing.
Here are a few free printable to do lists also:
Valentine’s Day FREE Printable – Top 10 To Do List
Free Printable Prioritized To Do List
Pretty To Do List – Pink & Purple Ombre Printable
Micro-schedule your day
You know those day planners with all the hours of the day listed out? When I first saw those, I thought there was no way I could ever schedule my life down to the minute like that. But that’s what I mean by micro-scheduling. Schedule your day down to the hour – your business needs and also your family time and personal time. This alone will add more balance into your day.
No chores please
Don’t mix business and chores. Stay focused on the task at hand, whether it is work OR chores. Keep them separate. It’s also never too soon to teach your kids to do chores. Get them to help around the house as soon as you can.
Take breaks
I have found that I don’t take the necessary breaks or down time during my work day when I am working from home. You need this time to stay motivated and positive, so try not to forget to take a break now and then.
Learn to say no
Lastly, learn to say “No.” You know how much you can handle and you know when a task is outside of that scope. Learn how to say “No” professionally and personally so you don’t take on more than you can deal with.
Bonus! Summer Sanity Savers
For even more Work at Home sanity tips, especially for the summer, read Summer Sanity Savers for the Work at Home Mom ebook by Prerna Malik. There are worksheets and menu planning and tons of tips to help you stay sane this summer.
Click here to view more details
Read the entire Work at Home Mom Series:
How To Be A Work At Home Mom – Book Review
Work Life Balance for the Work at Home Mom
For the Stay at Home Mom Becoming a Work at Home Mom
5 Places Work at Home Moms Can Work Outside the Home Office
5 Places To Tutor Elementary Students Online And Make Money
5 Work At Home Jobs That Offer Health Benefits
7 Tips For Working At Home With A Preschooler
5 Legit Freelance Writing Companies
7 Legitimate Work At Home Customer Service Jobs
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I love these tips! It can be hard to find balance but I believe it really is possible.
Also, thanks for including my prioritized to do list, I appreciate!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂
This is a great tip list! I think I am going to print it out put it in my planner! Pinned!
Thanks! Hope it helps
How do you manage the no chores? I can’t help it!
It is definitely tough especially with non-stop laundry!