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Time Management Tips for Parents Running Small Businesses during back-to-school month.

Back to school comes with its own set of demands, especially for parents who are also business owners. While the summer months can slow down business wise as family is prioritized, getting back into the rhythm of school drop offs, homework, and back into the flow of your business.

Balancing these dual roles can be challenging, but with the right strategies in place, it’s possible to stay productive and ensure that both your business and family keep thriving. Here are some practical time management tips to help you navigate this busy period.


1. Prioritize and Plan Before Back-to-School

Create a Daily Schedule: Start by mapping out your daily tasks and activities (we like to color code and separate these by family and business). Identify the most critical tasks for each. Find a planner that you will actually use, whether it’s digital or on paper and start mapping out what a week may look like.

Be Realistic with Goals: Breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This will help take the edge off stress and set you up for success. Steady progress, without feeling overwhelmed, is the real goal here. Prioritize the tasks which will make the biggest difference to your business and family.


2. Utilize Technology

Smart phone showing calendar app

Use Productivity Apps: There are so many apps designed to help you stay

organized and manage your time effectively. Even just using a simple timer can be incredibly helpful. Set a timer for 10min to give your full attention to the task at hand.

Automate Tasks: We love to take advantage of automation tools to handle repetitive business tasks. Any task that can be done ahead and scheduled, such as email marketing, social media posts, and even some aspects of customer service can be automated. This will help free up more time for you, especially if you batch these tasks!


3. Delegate and Outsource

Involve Your Family: No matter what age your child is, there is some aspect of preparing for the day that they can help with, and we love to empower the little ones! This not only teaches them responsibility but also lightens your load. Tasks such as choosing tomorrow's outfit, packing their school bags, organizing their study spaces, and even helping with meal prep and planning.

Outsource Business Tasks: Consider hiring support for tasks that are time-consuming or outside your area of expertise. Hiring a virtual assistant, accountant, or marketing specialist can help you manage your workload more efficiently (and sometimes these people are even more efficient than you might be, especially if it is a task out of your comfort zone.)


4. Establish Healthy Boundaries

Set Your Work Hours: Establishing clear work hours, and communicating them to your clients and family helps create a structure for your day and ensures that you have dedicated time for both work and family. You are the business owner, and you get to choose if your schedule is the same everyday, if it changes week by week, etc. 

Create a Dedicated Workspace: Having a designated place to work each day will help you stay focused and minimize distractions. Set yourself up for success by ensuring that your workspace is organized and stocked with everything you need to be productive.


5. Take Care of You

Breaks: It’s essential to take regular breaks to stay charged up. Even brief breaks throughout the day can boost your productivity and prevent burnout. Use this time to stretch, take a walk, or simply relax. We love that our Apple Watches give us the “stand” reminder every hour. Our puppy’s frequent requests to go outside are also a great reminder to pause and get some fresh air.

Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: It cannot be said enough, that this is the foundation for managing stress and staying productive. As someone who takes care of everyone else, be sure to include yourself on that list! Sleep, nutritious meals, and water are non negotiable!


Final Thoughts

While balancing the needs of a small business and your family’s back-to-school preparations can be challenging, with effective time management strategies, you can navigate this busy season with flow and ease. When you prioritize tasks, make use of technology, delegate responsibilities, establish those boundaries, and truly practice self-care, you can ensure that both your business and family will thrive in this season. Remember, it’s all about finding the right balance for you, and being flexible with your plans. Here’s to a productive and successful back-to-school season!

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