5 Steps to Take to Start to Prioritize Your Workload

A Must at the Beginning of any Time Management Plan

Is to figure out how to prioritize your workload. While it's not difficult...it can be very intimidating. You've got this list that's only in your head and, because of that, it can appear to be magnified and disjointed and even...dare I say... scary.

The reason prioritization is important is because you really can't figure out what to do first, what can be postponed, and what to let slide until you have...as the old saying goes...your ducks in a row.

In this article I'm going to teach you the steps to take to start to prioritize your workload.

First, Make a List Of Everything You Have To Do...Everything.

You can make this a work-related schedule or...like I do, include all tasks even cooking dinner and picking up kids. Just quickly jot them all down as fast as you can think of them. Don't slow down as our brain works much faster than we can write.

Second, Figure Out the Importance of Each Task

Not all tasks have the same importance. For instance, let's say you really wanted to bake those Christmas cupcakes for your child's class but, with the approaching holidays, you have way too much to do and can't possibly fit it in. After looking at your to do list you determine that...as much as you hate it...that's one thing that could slide if absolutely necessary.

The time savings of making a trip to a warehouse club like Sam's club or Costco (or even Walmart) simply can't be ignored. Console yourself with the fact that your child would probably love to help pick them out too.

Third, Figure Out Where Each Task Fits Best

If something has to be done by 10 am then it fits in the morning...period. Fit other things around that task. Fit as many tasks in as you can. Treat them like a jigsaw puzzle and see how tasks can fit together or flow together.

By fit together I mean multitasking and by flow together I mean one task naturally follows from the first...kind of like scheduling a dry cleaning run after stopping at the grocery store.

Fourth, Delegate If You Can

Spouse, family, and friends can be wonderful help if you ask (which we don't do often enough). Who knows, if you're really time conscious, you may even...unbelievably as it sounds...be able to help them out one day.

For instance, with the cupcakes mentioned above, suppose a friend had time to bake them while she was cooking for her family. You could frost them later with your child and still have that experience and save money at the same time.

At some point you may be able to similarly help this person out. with something such as picking up something from the grocery store for her while you're already there...thereby saving her a trip.

Fifth, Cross Off Your List

Anything that you'd like to do but you simply can't do yourself, delegate, or postpone. This includes tasks that have to be done by a certain time. You know you can only do so much. Just remember, you'll be remembered best (most often) by things you do...not by the things you didn't do. They'll remember the cupcakes no matter where they came from.

If You Follow These Steps

You'll get much more done and isn't that one of the main goals of any time management plan.

Are you ready to begin managing your time better? Download my free ebook about Time Management for some wonderful ideas. Also visit me at There Must Be A Better Way

6 Steps To Help Working Mothers Find Work/Life Balance

The brass ring of being one of America's millions of working mothers is finding that elusive work/life balance. Historically, women have been the ones responsible for keeping up the housework, making dinner, and raising the children. Today, despite changing gender expectations and more helpful spouses, it can still be quite overwhelming to achieve everything, every day. It is indeed possible for working mothers to be successful business women at the same time. All it takes is some planning, communication, and boundaries.

Step One: Organize And Prioritize Your Tasks

Do the dishes and the laundry. Get that spreadsheet finished. Take the kids to baseball practice and piano lessons. Send out that email before you forget. The number of tasks flying through working mothers' heads is incredible! It's no wonder you feel frazzled. Take an hour each week to plan and schedule the activities and expectations for the coming days. With a good day planner, you can set time specifically for work, family, and you time. Don't forget to schedule break time in there, to recharge your mind and help refocus on the next thing on your list.

Step Two: Give Yourself A Break

You're Supermom, and are doing your best at being a successful business woman. But when there is more than one goal to focus on, occasionally some things might not get done. And that's okay! Explain the importance of your job to your family, and the importance of your family to your boss. While you might be holding yourself up to the level of perfection on every single task, there will come times when you need to accept that something is good enough and to move on. Communicate with your spouse, your children, and your boss when you're feeling overwhelmed. Include them in your planning and time management, so that everyone is on the same page with expectations. And when you're falling behind? Ask for help. No one will think less of you for it.

Step Three: Moms in Business Need To Set Boundaries

For successful business women, communication is key. When you're also juggling a family, it's even more important. Setting boundaries between work and home will help stop the two from bleeding into each other. The first boundary to set is between work people and your family. Make sure that work people can only contact you during certain hours, and outside of that, it has to wait until tomorrow. The same goes with your family: during scheduled work time, unless it's an emergency, it can wait. The next boundary is to segregate your time. Hours spent at work are focused career time, whereas time at home is dedicated family time. The last boundary for working mothers is separating your work space. If you work in the home, designate a room for your office, and while you're in there, it's as if you're not even home.

Step Four: Connect With Other Working Mothers

Sometimes, it feels like no one gets it. Do a bit of searching to find a network of like-minded working mothers, either online or in your neighborhood. Even if you can't fit in attendance to an event, having the chance to connect with other working mothers, who are also trying to juggle being successful business women, will be a great help to your sanity. When we're at our most frustrated, it's comforting to realize that we're not the only ones going through it. Groups and online communities such as these offer friendship, advice, play dates, and even business networking.

Step Five: Take Care Of YOU

When planning your week, plan at least an hour, twice per week, that is yours alone. This might be to get a pedicure, take a long bath, or have a glass of wine while reading a novel. A critical part of balancing being a mother and a successful business woman is time to unwind. There may be other things that you could be doing, and it may seem counter-productive. However, working mothers need time where they are not a mother, not a business woman, but just themselves.

Step Six: Family Still (And Always) Comes First

Make your family time non-negotiable. When there is a struggle between choosing family or work, you can always make your family your number one priority. If you have a boss, express the importance of your family, and that you will need to be available for emergencies. If you work for yourself, or from your home, it can be incredibly difficult to know when to shut down and stop working. With proper planning and time management, as well as a supportive family and boss, you should be able to feel fulfilled as part of both groups: working mothers and successful business women.

Frustrated after trying to get her novel published, Tressa "Azarel" Smallwood took matters into her own hands and began her own publishing company, Life Changing Books. With 60 titles and 30 authors published, she now helps turn working mothers into authors and successful business women.