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If you are a single mom, you already know the struggles of solo parenting. Add a high-pressure job, freelance position, or self-run business, and there’s more to do than you could possibly manage on a 24-hour time clock. Keep reading for a few tips that might just help you make the most of your time so you can better balance work, kids, and home.
Hire a career coach!
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to invest in you. Single Mom Jobs Network offers career coaching that can help you get a better grip on exactly what it is you want to do and how to achieve your goals. You can get up to three 30-minute calls per month for three months for just $99.
Outsource or partially outsource some business tasks.
You don’t have to do it all alone. For example, if you’re planning to launch your own business, begin with a business structure. Start an LLC online by using a formation service that has pre-populated your state-specific regulations, which streamlines the process for you. Your LLC will protect you from certain tax situations and will keep your personal assets separate from job losses. There are plenty of other things you can partially outsource as well, including accounting and payroll.
Get (and stay!) organized.
Organization is key when you’re managing things by yourself. There are a few different ways to be organized at home and at work. Start by keeping a tidy house. The Baby Mori website recommends first decluttering and then creating a cleaning routine and family calendar. On the business side of things, make sure that you have an organized document management system, especially if you have to share files with remote staff. Ideally, you will utilize PDFs, which are easier to share than Microsoft products on desktop and mobile. There are plenty of online tools that you can use to convert your working Excel, PowerPoint, or Word files to PDFs.
Build your network.
As an entrepreneur or professional and single mom, creating a social and professional network is more important than ever. OpenView Partners’ Casey Renner offers many recommendations here, including being authentic and making a point to keep up with your new contacts. Depending on where you are in your single life, you might also want to consider finding love, as no one deserves to be alone.
Be okay with “just enough” on some days.
No matter how organized you are or how many lists you make, some days, you just aren’t going to get it all done. That’s okay. Be okay with getting by on the bare minimum at work or at home some days. Focus on your top priorities, but be okay with letting the rest slide until the next day if your attention is needed elsewhere.
Maintain an intentional schedule.
To be effective as a single parent and an entrepreneur, you have to be intentional with your time. Look for ways to streamline your daily responsibilities. One example repeated more than once on the Kids Activities Blog is to clean the bathroom while your little ones are taking a bath. This gives you time with them and helps you knock out a chore all at once. You also need to maintain a mindful schedule at work. Let your employees or coworkers know when you are and are not available, and relay the same information to your older children if you’re working from home.
Being a single mom is a challenge that many of us will face. Fortunately, simple steps, such as organizing our documents, partially outsourcing business formation and other tasks, and being intentional with our time can help us manage the best of both of our worlds.
Contact Single Mom Jobs Network today for career advice and other resources to help you lead your best professional life.
Author’s Bio
Katybeth Dee was inspired to co-create Self Exam after her sister was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23. Luckily it was caught in time, and her sister received the proper treatment. Through her site, she strives to offer support to those battling cancer by spreading awareness on preventing the illness as well as lending support to those currently facing their own medical battles.
*Featured image by Pexel.
