How to Plan Your Day as a New Work-At-Home-Mom
Last week, as the reality of this pandemic set in, I experienced some pretty radical changes to my daily routine. I know you did too.
Here in Cincinnati, we are under a shelter in place order. We are staying home, we are working from home, there’s no school, and no childcare.
Last week I just felt the need to let it sink in. It was all we could think about or talk about.
I checked the news and social media WAY TOO MUCH.
And I was overloaded with information on how to entertain and homeschool my kids.
It was A LOT!
At the end of the week, searching for some structure and something fun for the kids, I brought their chalkboard easel into our living room and together, we made a list of ideas of things we wanted to do that day.
It wasn’t a set schedule, but rather some inspiration. Something to get our minds working again. Something to check-in with when they weren’t sure what to do next. Something to look forward to. And something to mark progress.
They loved it. And honestly, so did I.
I decided that I needed something similar for myself.
I decided that even though my “work” hours had been reduced as I tag-team the workday with my husband, those hours are still worth a page in my planner.
So now, every evening when my husband and I sit down to look at our calendars and divide up the day based on set meetings and deadlines, I’m also making a plan for my time.
How do you plan your days when you’re working from home with your kids? This video walks you through my adapted weekly planning process. Or you can read more below.
Why is planning still so important?
A written plan forces me to pick my top priorities and to keep that list short.
Setting time limits for each task forces me to work quickly and efficiently.
Having the plan ensures that when I sit down to work, I know what needs to be done and I don’t waste time figuring out what to do next.
It reminds me to still write what I’m grateful for, what I’m excited about, and today’s wins. (These are prompts in my daily planner.)
The process that I teach for managing your to-do list and scheduling your day still largely applies today.
I’m still keeping a master to-do list by category and including time estimates for each. I’m making these estimates uncomfortably short and working as quickly as I can. (done is better than perfect!)
I’m still creating an hourly schedule for the time I have to work. I transfer those tasks/priority projects to a specific time slot based on how long it should take to complete.
The only difference is I’m managing my expectations. I’m taking what I used to accomplish in a normal day, with childcare, and reducing that because it’s just not possible. And that’s ok.
It’s important to remember…
I’m not the only one managing a new normal right now. I’m not the only one without childcare.
I can still make progress and I can still get results. The pace may just be a little slower.
Even with a plan, everything is not going to go as planned and that’s ok. I’m new to this whole work-at-home-mom gig. And I’m figuring it out each day. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still make a plan.
I would encourage you to make a plan. And when you do, remember these tips:
Maintain your master to-do list. Even though you’re likely not crossing off as much these days, you are still going to have ideas for things you eventually want to do. Don’t forget them. Add them to the list for future you.
Shorten the list of things you need to do in a given day. Cut it in half and then maybe half again.
Do your best to have a plan, or at the very least, know the 1, 2, or 3 things you want to get done and how long each will take to complete so that when you sit down you’re not scrambling.
Focus on results and what you are going to actually produce, not just “spending” time on a task.
And lastly, for your kids, my recommendation is to just keep a list of ideas that you can go to if you feel stuck or need a change.
I’ve created a short and sweet weekly planning template that I’m using for this time during the pandemic. It takes 15 minutes or less to create what I’m calling a guide for your week. If you’d like a copy, click here to download it. Every Sunday night I’m going live on Facebook and Instagram for a virtual planning party. We walk through the planning template together and get set for the week ahead. Join me at 8:30PM ET Sunday night.