As many of you likely noticed I was absent for most of April, and only managed to squeeze in a few days of actual work. Our first was scheduled to arrive on the 13th of April, so we had company down visiting for a couple of weeks hoping to meet her when she arrived.
Being a girl she decided to wait until the 22nd to finally make an appearance keeping us all anxiously waiting, but since she arrived perfectly perfect, you won’t get any complaints from us!
Now that May has rolled around I am faced with getting back into my work routine and attempting to continue on with the many projects I was working on prior to all the excitement. (I’m still excited, but now I’m so sleep deprived that I often confuse that joyous laughter coming from me as a slow and simple madness! LOL)
I now find myself in a situation that many others have faced or will face and thought I’d outline a few ways to help you stay productive online with your blogging and marketing efforts while your routines at home change to include your newest addition to the family.
Bring your baby to work
Now this may not work for everyone, but for myself I have a dedicated office in my home and it just happens to be large enough to accommodate a playpen or crib so that I’m able to keep a close eye on her while I’m working. For those of you who work from a laptop this is even easier, you can choose to go to her/him, or you can work from the living room, kitchen, etc.
The early days and weeks are filled with uncertainty (especially for new parent like myself) and being able to keep a close eye on your little one will allow you to stay focused knowing that you can simply raise your eyes to see how your little one is doing.
Keep a recording device close at hand
Ideas seldom come when we’d like them to, and sitting down in front of the keyboard knowing you need to produce a quality article in the next thirty to sixty minutes can be daunting if your slate seems blank either from lack of sleep or simply lack of ideas or even lack of time to do some research.
By keeping a notepad, voice recorder, or other favorite device close to hand you can ensure you are capturing the many ideas we all seem to have while driving or going about our daily lives. This pool of ideas will serve you well when crunch time comes.
Learn the art of multi-tasking
Most of us are already pretty good at multi-tasking, but you may want to learn to take things to a whole new level now that things are getting a bit busier (to say the least). Incorporating “to do” lists into your daily routine will help ensure that you get those items that are crucial to the success of your business completed.
Don’t try and do everything at once
Try breaking your work and life tasks up into manageable pieces and work on getting a couple of smaller tasks done rather than attempting larger or longer lasting tasks. Your work life and regular life have changed dramatically and you’ll have to develop an entirely new system if you’re going to stay productive.
Leverage your babies sleep time
This is the time to tackle some of those larger projects that may require an hour or two to complete. I know this is where most people advise you to get some sleep, but trying to balance a home business and a baby requires a few sacrifices to be successful.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If you’re a blogger (as most of my online friends are) then you most likely know a few dozen bloggers who might just be willing to help out with a task or two. That graphic design job, or logo you’ve been struggling with might just be a task that one of your more artistic friends could knock off in no time flat, leaving you just that much ahead.
There are also most likely some offline resources available to you that may allow you time to get some work done. A spouse, grand parent, or other relative might just love to share some time with your new family member while you go about your business of providing an income for all of you.
Don’t write-off childcare just because you work from home
Most people in the workforce use childcare of some sort to allow themselves to provide for their families. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you can’t avail yourself to some of these services in order to free up a few hours a day. Often there is childcare within a dozen or so blocks from your home, and it can mean the difference between working on your business, or just working on surviving!
Analyze your actual workload & refine
Most of us spend a huge amount of time on trivial or non-productive tasks that generate little or no income whatsoever. Spend some time outlining where your time is actually being spent and then cut out those tasks that aren’t high priority. There will always be general tasks that need doing such as checking and responding to emails, backing up websites, or monitoring your social media presence, but we all have tasks that can be skipped in favor of more important ones.
Working from home is an awesome experience, and with a little bit of work and strategizing on your part you’ll be able to continue doing what you love long after the arrival of your little one!
About Warren
Congratulations Warren!
She is adorable….and I can just imagine her lying beside your while you work, though I wonder how long will that really last. Because the moment she grows up a little, she would want ALL your attention and won’t let you really work.
Those are indeed some wonderful tip for parents working from home and who have newborn or small kids who need to be looked after. I think what matters most is that you are able to divide your time and give them the much needed attention within that time.
Yes, sometimes when they grow up and keep disturbing you, your work does suffer a little, unless you distract them or keep them occupied with something to do. Nonetheless, I think I wouldn’t opt for going out to work if I were given a choice to be with my kids too.
Enjoy parenthood and work a little less.
Thanks for sharing
Harleena Singh@Freelance Writers recent post ..Why Mothers are Special People?
Hello Harleena, great to see you!
Thank you so much, yes she still loves to sleep so we’re lucky! (for so many reasons)
I’m not sure about working less, but perhaps smarter?
Have a terrific day!
Hey Warren,
Congratulations on the new arrival. She is precious and I bet you can’t get enough of her. So now you get to find out what it’s like having children who may always need you at the worst times. I sympathize with you on those days but I know in the end it will definitely be worth it.
Can’t wait to learn throughout the coming months how you’re able to do with her so close by. Since I’m not a parent myself, I’m not going to be one of those that says I know what you mean. I have no clue and I live alone so I’ve got a great setup. Would much have preferred the family life myself but things just didn’t turn out that way.
Enjoy being a Daddy!
~Adrienne
Adriennes recent post ..Why Your Blog May Be Losing Rank In Google
Hi Adrienne thanks so much!
You’re right, I spend more time with her than I would have thought! I’m pretty sure I should be working on my business while she’s sleeping, rather than staring at her! LOL
I was like you and had a great setup (was able to devote a ton of time to my blog each day).
I’m going to have to adjust for sure, and prioritize things now.
I actually never thought I’d be a parent, and lived the “single” lifestyle for so long I just thought it was how it would always be. I was Googleing “yard tips” yesterday and thought to myself “my how my life has changed!” LOL
Not very long ago it was “What am I training today at the gym” or “what performance part should I get next for my Mustang?”
Took me longer than most, but I guess I’m finally growing up!
As always, great to see you.
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Congrats Warren on such an adorable little girl!
If you feel almost out of breath now, wait till she’s 5 months old and crawling! LOL. I just hope she likes staying in her crib because my son sure doesn’t. He hates it there and is constantly screaming to have me pick him up. He loves sitting on my lap while I try to work, which is a feat.
Karens recent post ..The Karate Supply Dealer That Is Excellent For You Can Be Found When You Follow A Hardly any Guidelines
Thank you Karen, she is pretty good about not crying so far and only cries when she wants something (Food, changed, comfort, etc) so maybe that will continue. I’m not used to working in short spurts and will have to adapt in order to survive (business)
I’ve tried to type with her in my lap, and know how difficult it is!
One suggestion for you is to try Dragon Naturally Speaking. It’s a great program, and once you get the hang of it your productivity goes up, though it does take a little practice to get used to it.
Congrats to you also, and thank you so much for stopping in and visiting, as well as taking the time to comment. (I appreciate it)
Have a great weekend!
Congratulations, Warren! I hope you find a “new normal” that works for your daughter and for your business.
Aaron Hooss recent post ..100 small business strategy questions
Thank you Aaron, I hear you. I seem to be struggling with time and direction as both Cailynn and Google seem to have impacted my life at the same time.
Actually something that seems to be helping and providing inspiration is the 37 lessons you wrote and that I have posted behind my desk. (Thanks for that)
Talk soon my friend.
Your are really impressive! Not all mean can do what you did.It is a
multi-tasking way of women. Good to know even men can also do this
now. great job for daddy!