I'm a working parent, and I know how difficult it can be to juggle everything. You need to be on call at all times, but also make sure you have time for yourself as well. That's why I've learned some tricks for staying organized and efficient: from organizing my day with timers to making sure that I don't overbook myself or try to do too many things at once. Let's dive into these hacks so you can save yourself some stress this year!
Organize your time with a timer
If you are a working parent, time management is key to ensuring that both you and your kids get the most out of their day. That's why it's important to use timers when doing things like cooking dinner or cleaning up after meals. This will help ensure that no matter how much food gets spilled on the kitchen countertops, there won't be any arguments about who has to clean them up later!
Similarly, if one child wants something while another wants something else (or even just needs attention), try setting an alarm as a reminder in order to prevent conflicts from arising between siblings in the future.
Don't underestimate the power of a good to-do list.
A to-do list can help you prioritize and stay organized, but it can also be an emotional support in times of stress or overwhelm. When you're feeling overwhelmed by all that needs to get done in your life, making note of everything on paper can give you some peace of mind. Seeing all of your tasks laid out before you will help clear up any confusion about what needs immediate attention and what can wait until later (or never).
Set aside time every night before bed for planning tomorrow's schedule. This helps ensure that mornings start off smoothly by preventing last minute panics over forgotten errands or appointments--which are sure to happen if left unchecked!
Use a paper calendar instead of the computer
While it may seem counter-intuitive to use paper, there are many reasons why it's better than the computer. The main reason is that you can see and read your calendar more easily than on the computer. You will also find that carrying around a paper calendar is much easier than carrying around your laptop or tablet. Writing on your calendar is also simpler with pen than typing on a keyboard (and if you have kids who love to write all over things, this makes sense!). When you are done with an entry for the day or week (or month), simply tear off the page and throw away!
Get up early
The best time to get things done is in the morning, and it's not just because you're more likely to be well-rested. Research shows that your brain functions better before noon than after, so if you want your day to go smoothly and efficiently, start early--and make sure you have enough time set aside for yourself before the kids wake up!
Be more efficient with your social media use
Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, but it can also become an unnecessary distraction if you're not careful. Here are some tips for making social media work for you instead of against:
Don't use social media when you need to be working. If there's something that needs doing, get it done first--then check Facebook or Instagram later!
Don't let your kids see what their parents do on the internet all day long (unless they ask). It might make them feel bad about themselves because they don't have as many followers as their parents do; or worse yet, it might make them think that being noticed online matters more than being kind in person!
Do not allow yourself or anyone else who lives under this same roof as part of our household ever again access any form whatsoever whether written textural verbal auditory visual digital holographic etcetera etcetera etc.
Embrace technology when it helps you out, but don't let it take over for you
Technology can be a great tool, but it's important to remember that it's not a replacement for human interaction. It's easy to become so addicted to your phone or laptop that you forget about the people around you. Take breaks from technology and focus on the people around you!
Take breaks as needed and as often as possible
It's important to take breaks as needed and as often as possible. Don't be afraid to ask for help, even if it just means asking a co-worker or coworker to watch your kids so you can go on a quick walk around the block. Try getting up and stretching every hour, even if it's just for 5 minutes! If possible, try taking 15 minutes out of each day where no one else is home and doing something that makes you happy--whether that's reading a book or listening to music or writing down some ideas for a project or hobby (or all three!).
Use apps to make your day more manageable
Apps can help you manage your time better, keep track of your tasks, stay organized and on track with what's important in life.
Take advantage of voice dictation on your phone and computer whenever possible
Voice dictation is a great tool to have in your arsenal. It's fast and efficient, and can be used in many situations--not just while driving.
You can use voice dictation when composing emails or texts. This saves time in comparison to typing out the whole message on your phone, as well as preventing errors that come from using auto-correct features (which often get it wrong).
Voice dictation is also helpful for people who have difficulty typing because of physical limitations or poor eyesight, for example those with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. The ability to speak instead of type allows them greater freedom of movement while still being able to communicate effectively with others via email or text messages without having their hands occupied by typing all day long!
Don't try to do too many things at once
Don't try to do too many things at once, or else everything will fall through the cracks and become stressful instead of helpful. For example, in one of my first jobs as a working parent, I tried to be a great employee by taking on too much responsibility. I thought that if I could just keep up with all of my work responsibilities and manage my personal life well enough, everything would be okay. But this mindset only led me down an exhausting path where nothing got done properly because there was no time left over for anything else! After awhile it became clear that this approach wasn't working--and since then I've learned how important it is not only for myself but also others around me (especially those who depend on me).
We hope these tips will help you to be more productive and less stressed out this year. Working from home can be a great thing, but only if you're able to manage your time wisely and avoid burnout by taking breaks when needed.
If you're looking for a legit work from home job, check out the latest legit remote jobs from Legit Mom Jobs here.
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