Whether you’re just getting started working from home, or you’re an experienced work-at-home mom entering a new season, having a general (flexible) schedule makes all areas of life run smoother.
In fact, it’s a gift to your family to take a look at what everyone’s got going on, build a schedule around the most important things, and stick to it the best you can.
Start with a Blank Calendar and Your Top Priorities
A fresh start will help you keep your priorities in check. It’s easy to think we have all the time in the world, but the truth is, we each have the same 24 hours a day, and as busy Moms we have responsibilities. Plus, as part of a family you have unique priorities, and Virtual Assistant work certainly does not need to get in the way of those.
I like my calendar to break the week down by both days and hours, so I can figure out exactly where my time goes, and then, exactly how much time I have to spend on work.
First, fill in the most important things in your life – the things that can’t take a back seat and must happen. Some of those things might be:
- Sleep
- Your family’s morning routine
- Driving your kids to school
- Homeschooling your children
- Driving kids to and from practices
- Church and church events
- Cooking meals or cleaning your home
- Family nights
- Anything else that’s a top priority for you and your family
Block out Time for Work
Look at the time you have left and decide how many hours you might work and when those hours will be. Use a highlighter or colored pen to block those hours out in your work-at-home schedule. You probably won’t use all of those hours every week, but it helps to see your potential work hours as blocks of time that you can devote to being a Virtual Assistant. It also helps you let a new client know at a glance how many hours you could give her and when you’re likely to be online.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have clients yet, use these hours to learn new skills and reach out to potential clients.
Be Realistic
If you have kids at home, there will be interruptions.
And that’s okay! If you blocked out 18 hours a week you think you can devote to work, count on more like 15-16. You’ll find your groove as you go and your family will grow accustomed to letting you work, but at the beginning, make sure you’re realistic about how much time you really do have.
Now, go do it!
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