As a mom with small kids and a business to run from home…things often get hectic. You’ve seen me in the parking lot with two kids under the arms, and another hugging one leg, while I load the van, talking to someone on my Bluetooth, with the coffee running intravenously through my veins. And everyone seems to think it’s the super powers that keep me going. Oh no, it’s the coffee. But seriously, there is no secret about what has to happen to keep me from tearing my hair out. The only way to get things done is to be organized. Here are some tips that keep me sane:1. Before my work week begins, I write down the goals I want to accomplish. I usually have 2 categories, one for my business and the second for my household.2. I make my goals realistic ones, for example, this week I will make 6-10 prospect/marketing calls.a. Your goal shouldn’t be make 20 calls, because the chances are with your hectic schedule you may not be able to achieve this goal;b. Then you will feel like you didn’t accomplish your task.c. However, once you’ve accomplished your goals, see if you can add-on to those goals.3. For all my appointments and calendaring of things to do, I make sure to use my computer to prompt me to check my “to-do” list each day. I put a reminder on my computer to “alert” me to check my events, or tasks on my calendar.4. Each week I try to focus on a different aspect of my business, e.g., marketing this week, newsletter next week; website week after next, and so on, and so on. And all these tasks are put on my calendar on my computer.5. I do my sales/marketing tasks in the morning when the kids are asleep or occupied with playing. I do these in the morning because I know by the late afternoon I’ll be too drained to make effective phone calls. It’s easier to answer emails throughout the day because I’m using my fingers; however, a fresh, sunny voice is best for me first thing in the morning. Again all these tasks are entered into my calendar on my computer.6. When I run errands, I always have my business cards with me within easy reach. Easy reach is very important, because you never want a prospect to see you fumbling around for your business cards. Their very first impression of you should not be that you’re not organized.7. And just an important aside here: Following-up with your prospects is very important. If you say you’ll call/or email in XX amount of hours, or YY days, make sure you keep your promise. Not keeping your end of the bargain is a sure way to loose a prospective client.8. At the end of the week, I analyze my goals and achievements and try to figure out what my next goals are, and then the cycle continues for the next week.So we super moms who stay at home with our kids, and run a business from our home, and who sit on the PTA organizations and who volunteer, etc, etc. don’t get overwhelmed. If you write your tasks down and attack them a little bit at a time, our tasks will not seem so overwhelming. And believe me, we are all overwhelmed with our duties as a mom, and CEO of our homes and business.Please feel free to add some tips that have helped to keep you organized. We can all use ideas of ways to make our days as super moms run more smoothly and more effectively. So let’s share, share, share.
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