School. Chores. Soccer Practice. Health Appointments. Birthday Parties. Community Fundraisers.
This is probably just an eighth of the items on your to do list, right? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by everything we have on our plate as moms. I’m here to encourage you that there is a better way to get things done than just tediously checking off our to-do list tasks and repeating the same process the next day. Putting together a strategy based on family priorities not only helps us find a better day-to-day balance, but also gives us permission to step off the hamster wheel and focus on what matters most.
How To Uplevel Your Prioritization Skills As A Mom.
Here are a few key steps to take to improve your prioritization skills as a mother and achieve better balance in your day-to-day routine:
Determine what is most important. The to-do list of a mom is long and it’s easy to start at the top and chip away at it one by one. But that isn’t always the best way! Choose what matters most to you and your family, and keep them at the top of the list. Once you are focused on those things, you can fill in the other items on the list if and when you have time. And limit those things that are a priority to 2 or 3 things.
As an example, the 3 things that get top priority on my list this week are:
Integrating our new puppy into our lives! Luckily he is an older puppy (17 weeks) but house training requires some time and flexibility.
Trying our best to have 1 parent be at each of my kids' sports games.
Close the deal with a global company to provide working parents workshops, toolkits, & support services.
If you want to dive deep into prioritization skills and methods, there are tons of resources out there on prioritization that I recommend, including 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey which is both a book and a course, as is Do What Matters Most by Steve & Rob Shallenberger.
Set goals. For each priority you identify, set a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goal. These types of goals help you to determine what actions you need to take to reach them, and allows you to know if you were successful in achieving them.
Here’s an example:
Specific: Have 1 parent at each sports game
Measurable: Did at least 1 parent show up to each game?
Achievable: Collaborate with my husband at the beginning of the week to talk through when we are each available and divide and conquer between kids. If there is a schedule conflict, check in with the kids to ask them what game they most want us to attend this week or if we are unable to attend what else can we do to let them know we support them like writing a note and leaving it in their sports bag or letting them know on the way to school that we will be rooting for them from a far during their game.
Relevant: Supports goals around showing up for the important moments in our kids lives
Time Bound: revisit on a weekly basis
Purge what doesn’t support your goals. In setting priorities and goals, you’ll find that there are some things you’ve been spending your time on that just don’t make sense. Why have I been taking my daughter to dance class every week when she would rather focus on soccer and it makes Wednesdays’ schedule crazy? This isn’t an easy process, but getting rid of the things that don’t support your goals will help you tremendously prioritize and find balance.
Implement a time management strategy. Effective time management equates to less stress, enhanced confidence, and more peace in both your work and home life. Utilizing good time management techniques can allow you to get more done in less time, freeing up time for family, rest, or recreation. Working 24/7 is not good for your physical or mental health, so it’s critical to prioritize breaks and downtime when managing your time.
Learn to say no. You have determined your priorities, set goals, and implemented a time management strategy that is making life manageable…and then you get asked to volunteer, lead, host, contribute, participate in [insert thing here]. Sometimes it’s OK to add new activities or responsibilities to your plate if they support your priorities and goals. And sometimes it’s OK to say no. Learning when and how to respectfully say no is critical to keeping a healthy balance in life, motherhood, and work.
Celebrate! You have a lot going on, there is no doubt about it. When things go well, don’t forget to stop and celebrate your accomplishments. That might mean taking time to practice self care in the midst of the busyness, or choosing to practice gratitude in the moment. Whatever it is, this step is important!
What Happens When Priorities Change?
Every mom knows that adaptability is often the name of the motherhood game. As soon as your baby gets into a great nap routine, they will decide to drop a nap and you have to reconfigure the entire day around a new schedule. Or you finally get into a decent rhythm for after school extra curricular activities for your soccer loving kids, just in time for the season to end and now it’s basketball season with a new practice schedule.
As our schedules change and our children grow, circumstances and priorities change. It’s a part of life. Embrace the change and reconsider your priorities regularly to make sure you are still spending your time in the right places and ways. You don’t need to be spinning your wheels investing time and energy into old tasks that no longer make sense for your family.
Prioritization At Home Can Boost Your Out-Of-The-Home Career
If you are considering a pivot back to paid work after a career pause, your prioritization skills can boost your standing in front of hiring managers. Here’s why:
Every team needs someone who can question how things are getting done. You are an efficient worker because you don’t want to waste any of your precious time. If there is a more efficient way to get to the end result, you will find it.
Your work supports the big picture goals. You don’t just “do” for the sake of “doing.” You take intentional steps towards the end result and can adjust when things change or obstacles arise.
You aren’t afraid to respectfully say no, allowing you to keep your focus on your assignment.
You are a cheerleader, for yourself and for others on the team. When you see something going well, you speak up and celebrate! This can do wonders for team morale and relationship building, which improves productivity.
Hiring A Coach Can Help You Showcase Your Mom Transferable Skills
You are the perfect candidate for dozens of positions in the job market. The key to securing your dream job after a career pause is building your confidence and learning how to position your mom transferable skills in such a way that attracts the hiring manager's attention. Parents Pivot offers both 1:1 and group coaching to help you every step of the way while returning to paid work. Reach out to us today to get started! Reach out to us today to get started!
