There is no denying that since going back into the workforce trying to find a work-life balance has been a struggle.
I’ve been a parent for the last 8 years, and had loads of free time to do what I wanted when I wanted, and still manage my family life and my photography business.
Working for yourself is completely different to working for someone else though, just putting that out there.
Only the other day while I was having a tag cut off my shirt at work (as it was itching my neck), I realised that I have been at Woolies (Woolworth’s supermarket) for 8 months. How quickly have that 8 months gone by!
In those 8 months, I have learnt a lot of things, it hasn’t been easy and it has been a learning curve.
Here are 3 things that have helped me to find the time to work, be a parent and achieve my goals.
Three Tips to Finding Time
1 – It’s ok to say no
Why does saying “no” have to be so hard? Well it shouldn’t be, and sometimes you have to say no for your own benefit.
If you struggle to say no, or if you are not sure you can say no straight off the bat this phrase has helped me out a few times.
It’s not no, but it’s not yes either.
2 – Set Goals
There is no denying that I’m a huge fan of making goals.
If you are not sure how to successfully make a goal and follow through with them, then check out my blog post Let’s Get Baking with Goals.
Goals will help you to become motivated and better organised.
This brings me to tip 3.
3 – Use your Calendar
Your diary/calendar will become your best friend.
I have my online calendar synced with Tom’s so we don’t double up on bookings and appointments.
I schedule all my commitments in my calendar for the month, and I look at it every day. Sometimes multiply times a day.
This helps me to stick to achieving exactly what I need to achieve each day, week and month.
Bonus – Keep a To-Do List
A to-do list is a great way to keep you organise, and stay committed to your goals, but also helps you find the value in the high-priority items to that of the lower ones.
One of my most popular blog posts is this one about Getting Organised with a To-Do List, if you haven’t read it, please do.
How do you find the time?