Three mistakes moms in business make when trying to be successful businesswomen
Self-employed moms and working moms have a lot of responsibilities on their plate. It can be difficult or nearly impossible to expertly manage work deadlines, children’s activities, household chores, and being a supportive spouse. This article looks at three common pitfalls that many moms in business face and some ideas to combat them.
Not knowing when to ask for help
As women, we want to show everyone (and ourselves) that we really can do it all. In many families, this ends up being our undoing. Knowing when to ask for help is one of the most common problems for working moms. We have some sneaky ways of saying we need help, but we still dole out the chores. First, spousal support is integral to transforming working mothers into successful business women. Talk to your spouse about how the duties at home will be handled fairly, as well as how best to help each other. Next, start a chore chart for your children. Even young children can be responsible for a small task. Lastly, plan your media for the coming week ahead of time. Do as much prep work as you can to keep cooking simple. Delegation is key to accomplishing everything on your list!
Winging It – Not recommended for working moms
Flying up the seat of your pants is a sure way to get in your own way. Successful moms in business are excellent planners, scheduling both home life and work responsibilities. Separate your time within your plan, so you have dedicated work hours and specific family time. Not only will this allow you to fully focus on what you are doing, but it will also relieve stress. Being organized allows you to set expectations, goals, steps to get there, and shows you where your free time is. Let’s also not forget how satisfying it is to cross things off a to-do list.
Not knowing when to unplug
This is something that many working moms struggle with on a daily basis, especially moms who are self-employed. If you work from home, it’s incredibly tempting to check your email one more time or put off family time for thirty more minutes to finish a project. When work and family commitments start to blur, it can result in missed deadlines, upset children or spouses, and added stress. Set specific times in each day that are for advancing your career and stick to them. Many successful businesswomen are working mothers who have found the balance that works best for them. In most cases, this balance includes a structured schedule.
Because family always comes first, this may mean you’re returning work emails at midnight. It may mean that you can’t make it to a meeting because your child has a soccer championship game. Your house may not always be perfectly clean, and you may not be baking cookies for the neighborhood this holiday season. However, achieving that work-life balance can be rewarding beyond belief; with happy kids and being a part of America’s Entrepreneur Moms, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.