Time management tips for busy mums: Reclaim your schedule with effective time management
Do you ever feel like a circus juggler with endless balls in the air, desperately trying not to drop any? When work, kids, and life's chaos collide, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and like time is your enemy. Add in being a single parent and it can be really challenging to keep to any schedule. But what if I told you it doesn't have to be this way? Let's ditch the overwhelm and turn you into a time-savvy empowered human.
Tracking Your Time: Identifying where your time currently goes to reveal the potential for change.
The first step to reclaiming your time is understanding where it goes. For one week, act like a time detective and take note of where and when you are spending your time. If you want to really dive deep into this, try jotting down what you're doing in 15-minute increments. Don't judge, just observe! There’s also many free time tracking apps that can help you do this.
But if this feels like it’s another task onto the never-ending list, I invite you just to be conscious through your day of where your time is spent. Think back over the day each evening with some reflection.
Recently I realised the amount of time I was spending scrolling TikTok on an evening. Instead of catching up with my to do list around the house, I was spending a couple of hours watching and scrolling videos, only to then feel frustrated with myself the next morning because I was even more behind.
Distinguish between 'urgent' and 'important' tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix.
Tasks aren't created equal! Prioritising tasks on your list can help to avoid getting bogged down with tasks that don’t move you forward towards your goal. The Eisenhower Matrix is a useful tool that can help get clarity and provide some structure. It sorts tasks into four categories:
Urgent and Important: Do these immediately (crises, deadlines)
Important but Not Urgent: Schedule time for these (planning, relationship building)
Urgent but Not Important: Delegate if possible (time-wasting requests)
Not Urgent and Not Important: Eliminate or minimise these (mindless scrolling)
Prioritising means focusing on your "Urgent and Important" tasks while making space for the "Important but Not Urgent" ones that keep you sane and healthy!
How It Helps Overwhelmed Single Mums
Clarifies Priorities: When facing an endless to-do list, the Matrix forces you to ask, "Does this truly matter, and does it matter NOW?" This can bring immense clarity.
Exposes Time-Wasters: Seeing tasks categorised can reveal how much time gets sucked into the "Urgent but Not Important" or "Not Urgent and Not Important" sections.
Protects Important Tasks: Things like self-care, planning for the future, or quality time with kids often fall into "Important but Not Urgent." The matrix helps you make space for them before they become urgent crises.
Empowers Delegation: Single parents have to be strategic! The matrix highlights tasks that could potentially be asked of others or outsourced if finances allow.
Here are some examples:
Urgent AND Important:
Sick child needs doctor's appointment
Meeting deadline at work
Fixing a broken appliance
Important but NOT Urgent
Planning healthy weekly meals to save time and avoid takeout
Scheduling own doctor's appointments (preventative care)
One-on-one time with each child
Urgent but NOT Important:
Last-minute request for school project supplies
Interruptions at work from non-critical questions
Social media notifications
NOT Urgent and NOT Important:
Binge-watching shows when exhausted
Scrolling mindlessly for extended periods
Comparing yourself to other moms on social media
Helpful tips for prioritising tasks
Be Realistic: Don't overfill the "Urgent and Important" quadrant. Some urgent things can wait a bit if needed.
Schedule the "Important but Not Urgent": Put self-care, planning, or family time on the calendar like any other appointment.
Say "No" with Grace: Learn to decline or postpone things in the "Urgent but Not Important" category.
Forgive Imperfection: The matrix is a tool, not a reason to feel guilty! Some days survival is the goal, and that's okay.
Time management tools and asking for help to streamline tasks.
Supermum is a myth! Get smart about saving time:
Automate: Online bill pay, grocery delivery, robotic vacuums... let technology simplify your tasks.
Delegate: Can your kids help with chores, or a friend/ neighbour run an errand? Don't be afraid to ask! People do like to help.
Outsource: If your time is more valuable than the cost, consider services like laundry or a house cleaner. It's NOT a failure, it's strategic!
Remember, time management is a journey, not perfection! Start small, implement one strategy at a time, and celebrate your wins as you reclaim control of your schedule.