If you're a working mom, there's no doubt that being able to work from home is a dream come true. You get to see your kids grow up and be with them during their most formative years. But, of course, there are some challenges inherent in being a stay-at-home parent who also works from home. With that said, there are ways to make the most of this situation by learning how to hack your day so you can balance having both a job and family life while still getting everything done efficiently!
Get up at the same time every day
Getting up at the same time every day is so important. It's a great way to make sure that you're getting enough sleep, and it also helps your body get into a rhythm. If you're working from home, or even if you just need to be up before everyone else in order to get things done before everyone else gets home, this hack can really save your life!
The trickiest part about getting up at the same time every day is staying awake when it's time for bed! The best way I've found is drinking plenty of water throughout the day and eating dinner early enough so that I don't have anything too heavy on my stomach when it's time for bed.
It's also important not to sleep in more than 15 minutes later than usual—if anything happen during the night that keeps me from getting up on schedule (like a baby waking), then I try not to let myself stay asleep for much longer than 30 minutes extra before getting back into bed with them!
Stay off social media when you're working
Social media can be an easy distraction, particularly when you have a lot of work to do. Your friends might be posting pictures of their families, or their kids might be posting funny memes. You may want to respond and join in the conversation, but it's important that you stay focused on your work goals. If it isn't possible for you to completely cut yourself off from social media for a certain amount of time, try scheduling specific times throughout the day where it's okay for you to check in with friends and family members online.
Learn to block out distractions with apps, phone calls and distractions
You can also use apps to block out distractions. There are many different types of apps out there, but the ones that I find most useful are those that allow you to do things like set a timer or play music while you work. I've found these two things to be very helpful in keeping me focused and on task when it comes time for me to work on my projects (or write blog posts!).
If you're not into app-based solutions, then another useful trick is simply turning off your phone. You could also turn your phone's ringer off too if there are certain people who call frequently who might distract you from what it is that needs done.
Map out the best route to get everything done that needs to be done
It's important to be as efficient as possible when it comes to work from home jobs. One way you can do this is by mapping out the best route for getting everything done that needs to be done, breaking each task down into smaller steps, and planning ahead of time how you'll use your time.
A great way to plan the best route for getting everything done that needs to be done is by listing out all the tasks that need to get done in order of priority. Then, break down each task into smaller steps so they're easier to manage (e.g., "create flyers" can become "write text," which then becomes "find images online," etc.).
Once your list is complete, figure out which tasks can happen simultaneously and which are sequential (meaning one thing must happen first before another). Start adding these details into your schedule along with any other appointments or commitments on your calendar or planner. You may realize there's not enough time available during certain periods of day; if so add more hours! This will ensure every minute remains productive—and gets you closer towards achieving those goals faster!
Avoid multitasking while you work
Multitasking is a myth. When you multitask, you’re simply switching between tasks, but your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. So while you think you're getting more done in less time, the reality is that it takes longer to do everything because your brain has to switch back and forth between different tasks.
In addition to slowing down your productivity, multitasking can lead to stress and poor quality work. Stress from multitasking makes workers more anxious and irritable over time. This means that those who are constantly switching from task-to-task throughout the day will be less productive than those who focus on one thing at a time without being distracted by other things around them (i.e., not doing work from home).
On top of all this, studies have shown that people who use their cell phones or tablets for personal reasons during work hours are 47% more likely than non-multitaskers to suffer from burnout over time. Multitasking also leads to increased anxiety levels which may lead one towards depression. In short: Multitasking doesn't just slow down your workday—it could actually make it worse.
Know and use your shortcuts and tools
One of the best ways to make your work from home routine more efficient is to know and use your shortcuts and tools.
Know what tools are available to you. Are there apps or software programs that will help you accomplish what you need to do? How about a laptop, desktop computer, phone or tablet? Knowing all of these options will help keep things running smoothly so that no time is wasted on figuring out how something works instead of getting the job done.
Know how to use them! This means knowing where everything is located (and how), being able to connect devices together (if needed), having passwords for each device if needed, etc.. Make sure before using any tool that it has everything necessary for completing tasks as simply as possible without wasting precious time trying out new things or navigating menus when they may not even be necessary.
Hacks are a good way to get things done quickly, and they can be used in any situation where you need to get something done while still being able to focus on other things at hand.
With so many work from home hacks, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options. You don’t have to implement them all at once! Start off with one that sounds most appealing and go from there. As long as you keep trying new things and finding ways to improve your workflow, then you’ll be on the right track towards a successful working experience.
If you're looking for a legit work from home job, check out the latest legit remote jobs from Legit Mom Jobs here.