Mums’ Struggles Made Simple [#MSMS]

Thanks to all mums who took part in my recent Make The Most Of Your Time survey. Your responses were quite typical from those I hear from so many mums who contact me, so you are not alone! I will now provide an overview to the questions and some solutions to the issues you face.

i) My first survey question asked how you would rate your time management. 
75% of participants advised that they do manage to organise their time, whilst others struggled to do so.  However no one responded that they were ‘good’ or ‘great’ at time management, which means at some stage you find it challenging to fit everything into your schedule and sometimes life can seem out of control. I hope some of the solutions I provide here will improve your time management skills and increase your confidence so you can get on with the things you want and need to do.

ii) Self-care is immensely important in the lives of busy mums. My next question asked how much you value your own me-time.
The vast majority of you completely value the concept of me-time - what it means and how it empowers you to be the woman you want to be. However, as I find with most busy mums, other responsibilities get in the way and this tends to be forgotten. This leaves you feeling resentful and frustrated with the life you are leading. What you must do is arrange some regular time out to which you can commit and incorporate into your schedule. Although this might not be easy to do, you will find that an evening or afternoon to reinvigorate your energy levels will help you manage the rest of your schedule and make you a happier, more contented mum. You will be surprised by how having just thirty minutes to yourself has a real positive difference to your energy levels and the way you feel! If you’d like to read more about this topic, please read Make ‘Me Time’ A Reality on my blog.

iii) I expected a huge list when I asked what aspect of your life takes up most of your time!
So much of our lives are taken up attending to the needs of our children and your responses confirmed this. Many of you are also juggling a career and caring for other people. Add in housework and you’ve got a lot of women struggling to keep up with the demands of motherhood! Of course your family was going to come at the top of your list here so it is important that you create a good support network, especially if you’re a single mum. If you live away from your closest extended family, you can often feel isolated. Try to identify people on whom you can rely when you need an extra pair of hands. It will surprise you how willing other people are to help when they know you need it. Try to have a back up for various aspects of life and don’t forget the importance of friends. If you can’t get babysitters, invite your friends round with their kids for an early supper. At least you will be able to catch up and the children can have a good play date: it’s a win win for all the family!

iv) So, what do you find most challenging when it comes to time management?
An overwhelming 63% of participants attributed a lack of time to their problems, whilst others struggle with prioritising and scheduling. This is not uncommon but all these elements do link together. If you improve your priorities and scheduling, you will find time you never thought you’d had! It will also help you to juggle those last minute arrangements that pop up throughout the week. To improve the management of your time, on a weekly basis write down everything you have to do for the week ahead. Don’t miss anything out that you think will be unimportant – everything requires a time slot. Once you have a completed list, decide which tasks take priority and list them in order of what needs to be done and what you want to do.  If you find your body wanting to relax rather than vacuum, why not listen to it? Which will make you happier? Don’t get caught up with the small stuff. Also, eliminate your time wasters, such as time spent on the Internet or in front of the television (more on this in a moment). You should then have a schedule from which you can work, with the time wasting elements of your life removed, and the confidence and clarity to get on with your week without worrying about juggling your commitments.

v) There are elements of modern life that cause us to prevaricate and waste time. We can all be victims of them but we need to be aware when we succumb to them in order to eliminate them for good!
So many mums find themselves wasting time talking about everything they have to do rather than getting on and doing! We do it without realising it. Wouldn’t life be more fun if we just got on with the task in hand and reward ourselves at the end with a good natter with friends about fun things? Set yourself a challenge this week to not mention all the things you have to do and instead complete the task and call a friend for a chat to see how they are! You will feel rewarded and in complete control of your situation. I have written a guide to eliminating time wasters called Time And Mummy on my blog, which you may find useful.

I hope this short guide to managing your time will help you with your schedule.  Thank you so much for taking part in my Make The Most Of Your Time survey. I offer further support by hosting regular MSMS Call In Sessions, so if you are struggling with a particular challenge and would like further support on this or any other topic, you can call me and receive 15 minutes complimentary 1:1 laser coaching! November’s MSMS Call In Sessions will take place on Tuesday 20th November, 12.30-1.30pm and Thursday 22nd November, 8.45-9.45pm. These sessions are arranged on a first come fist served basis, and if my line is busy please do call in again. Don’t miss out on taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity: contact me on 01606 334 015!

Don’t forget to check back to my blog for the second part of MSMS on Monday 17th December when I will share some further tips and solutions for the remaining questions of my Make The Most Of Your Time survey.

I have also written How To Find More Time from Empowering Mums. This is a dynamic e-book that will help you manage your time more effectively and eliminate the phrase, “I haven’t enough hours in the day!” Through enlightening techniques and effective exercises, you will learn all about your time: what it is worth, how you spend it and how you can maximise it. A must-have for all busy mums, this extremely thorough and interactive e-book will enable you to achieve the things you really want in life. If you would like to purchase a copy, please visit my online shop.

Finally, I would like to invite you to download my signature e-Book, Confidence, Balance and Joy! Simply follow this link http://bit.ly/IYQfvA to download your free copy!

To keep up-to-date with all future references to Mums’ Struggles Made Simple #MSMS, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook and via e-mail!

Wishing you confidence, balance and joy.

Tracey

Start your journey today – achieve confidence, balance and clarity for an easier, happier life!

Empowering Mums is on a mission to empower a million mums and mumpreneurs just like you with greater confidence, balance and clarity to activate your infinite capabilities within! Enabling you to enjoy an easier, happier life alongside running a highly successful business. Aligned with enjoying time out for an essential self-care routine that fulfils your own needs and delight in quality time spent with your children being the mum you really want to be!

For further support please contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 334 015, alternatively visit our website at www.empoweringmums.com for more information.