Being a mom is challenging. Running your own business is challenging. So, combining the two can be pure craziness. . . but it can also be the most beautiful way to maximize your potential, support your family, lean into your different roles and goals, and learn balance in all areas that are important to you (without losing yourself in the process, of course).

But running a stress-free business as a mom isn’t easy. You will have hurdles to move through. You’ll often feel overwhelmed. And you’ll have to learn one of life’s most difficult lessons (at least I think it is!)—asking for help.

There are also steps you can take to help remove some of the stress out of your daily life. From learning to take up space and prioritize your health, to taking control of your schedule to spend more time with loved ones, here are a few of my tried-and-true tips:

Focus On Fixing Your Cash Flow Challenges First

Cash flow issues are common within small businesses, especially if you’re the sole employee! If you’re running a one-woman-show, it can be tricky to chase late payments, follow up on orders, and keep the books.

But, for better or for worse these things have to get done. (Which, in the end is for better, although time-consuming!)

A tip for working on your cash flow (and running a stress-free business overall) is to figure out the best way to take credit card payments, ACH (bank transfers), and other online payments. This way you can diversify your payment options, making it easier for your customers to pay for your services/products. 

Automate Wherever Possible

If you’re a parent and business owner, you’re busy! This is why it’s so important to rely on tools and tricks of the trade for making things easer.

Automation tools can be a real game-changer when integrated into your daily business operations, as they can reduce your workload quite a bit! For example, you could use automation software to send out invoices (and invoice reminders) or to respond to customer inquiries.

Remember, it’s a lot easier to automate elements of your business if you have suppliers and business partners that you can depend on without the need for micromanagement. For example, if you are running a funeral company, then you might want to use a solution like Hilton Funeral Supply to provide the supplies and items you need without the added stress. Finding people and companies you trust will make it much easier to manage the day-to-day of your business!

Another tool is time blocking for different tasks, such as post creation or social media. While this isn’t fully automation, it’s a way to both organize and prioritize your time. After you batch create, you can then schedule out your content which becomes “automated” in the sense that you don’t have to spend time each day writing and posting.

Start Each Day With Focused To-Dos

As both a parent and business owner, I know, firsthand, one of the key tips to running a stress-free business is to have effective time management. But, the concept of “time management” can feel so elusive! That’s why I like to break it down to something more simple: the ‘Everything To-Do List’:

I’m not just talking about any to-do list, though. What I mean is the ‘Everything To-Do List’ that helps you prioritize between the different “buckets” of your life.

At the start of every day, create a to-do list that has several sections:

• Business: Which is what you need to do for your actual biz, for example, creating content, sending invoices, editing a product listing, etc.
  • Note: You can further break down this category if it’s helpful, using ‘mini-buckets’ (as I like to call them), like marketing, content creation, sales, etc.
• Client: This area is focused on anything you need to do for your clients specifically (ex: preparing for a meeting, answering emails, sending deliverables, etc.)
• Family: This bucket is things you need to do for your spouse/partner, household, or children. It can also include fun things, like planning for tips or even simple things like ordering groceries or chores.
• Personal: This bucket is for YOU. This can be self-care reminders, appointments, or tasks that you need to add to your list only (ex: calling your doctor, ordering your medication, drinking at least 8 cups of water, going on a run, etc.)

To-do lists will give you a better understanding of what to expect from your day, allowing you to manage your time accordingly.

Note: It’s recommended to start the day with the most challenging or time-consuming task(s) since your energy and focus levels are highest earlier in the day (especially if you’re a morning person).

Also note: Don’t add too much — you want to make your list feel manageable. (I sometimes focus on three tasks for each category each morning BUT I keep a ‘master list’ somewhere else so that if I get through those first tasks, I can pull from it and try to get more done.

Don’t Neglect Your Rest

Remember that rest is important. Juggling parental and business responsibilities often means that you’ll feel pressured to sacrifice sleep in order to keep all parts of your life thriving.

But. . . this isn’t sustainable! (Ask me how I know).

To be honest, there’s a medical reason why you can’t sacrifice your sleep: Lack of sleep actually increases your body’s production of cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone! It also lowers your focus levels and enthusiasm, meaning you’ll have a harder time working as optimally. So, in short, prioritize your sleep and rest so that you can thrive and have the balance that you deserve.

You can do this by asking others for help (maybe watching your kids/picking them up from school, maybe asking your partner to take on more home tasks/chores, or maybe even hiring paid help!). You can also focus on delegating at work if you feel like you’re doing too much or consider other ‘time-suckers,’ like your commute, and figure out if there’s a solution, there, for maximizing your time (like taking the train so you can work rather than driving or even carpooling!).

TLDR; being a parent and business owner isn’t impossible, it’s just hard. But, you can do it as long as you focus on balance, support, organizing your time, and automating where you can.

The most important thing is to focus on the positives and not losing yourself or your time with loved ones as you strive to ‘do it all.’

PS: You can do this! And you’re not alone.

 

Featured Image Credit: Israel Palacio