Work at Home Moms Count Down Your Time Online
When you’re working from home and you have kids at home, you’re constantly conflicted. On one hand, you feel like you’re never able to get onto the computer to work. On the other hand, you feel like you’re on the computer all the time.
There are many days when I feel completely unbalanced and stressed. Either I’m on the computer way too much, not paying enough attention to my kids, or when I am with them enjoying our time, I’m feeling bad that I’m not attending to my business.
As women, I think we ALL face these feelings at some time or another. So how do you get it done without stressing out?
Here’s one simple tool I use, and truth is that each time use it, I’m amazed by its brilliance and wonder why I don’t use it more often.
In a world of high tech gadgets this tool is the wonderfully simple (and inexpensive) kitchen timer.
Right now, while my husband is making dinner, I’ve given myself 15 minutes to write as much as I can during that time. When the timer goes off, I’ll hopefully be done with this blog and will join my family for dinner.
The timer has some pretty great benefits:
- It provides a sense of urgency. Often I have multiple applications open on my computer and if I’m not careful I can flit from project to project, application to application. Sometimes I have that kind of day where I work on a little bit of a lot, but never really feel like I’ve accomplished much. Then there are those amazing “kitchen timer days” when I’m in the groove. I use the timer to keep me focused and moving a long. When I know the timer is counting down, and I really want to complete my task, I work quickly without distraction.
- It keeps me accountable. I can’t wander off from writing this blog. If I did and the timer went off, I’d know I didn’t keep my end of the bargain. I have to stay on track because I’ve allotted this time for this blog and I don’t want it to take the whole day. I find the longer I give myself to complete a project, the longer it takes.
- It’s tangible. How many times have I said to my kids “just give me 5 more minutes” or “let me check just one email” and then I emerge from my office an hour later? My kids know with the timer that they can watch the time ticking down, and that I’m all theirs when it gets to zero.
- It teaches them time management. My kids are learning time management, too. You can set the timer for them to clean their room or focus on a homework assignment or enjoy play time before beginning their homework.
If you don’t have a timer – or misplaced yours, here’s an online version that I use.
Tags: get it done tips, kitchen timer, time management, work at home moms
