By Shiela Mie Legaspi, President — Cyberbacker
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the whole world to a halt, requiring most people to pause and reflect on their lives. The pandemic hit working mothers especially hard, introducing new responsibilities on top of old ones, which were already onerous enough. Now that things are returning to normal, it’s time to assess our true priorities and start 2023 the right way.
Time blocking is a time-management tool that can help ensure your time is best spent. Essentially, this practice involves scheduling appointments with yourself on calendars that you share with others. Block off time windows that you have decided to allocate to completing specific tasks or achieving certain objectives. This not only notifies others that you will be unavailable but also helps you keep yourself on track. As a result, coworkers or others won’t disturb you with unrelated things.
Using this method, you can sideline distractions and focus on what matters most to you. In my experience, time blocking can also help working mothers balance their careers with precious family time.
Time-blocking work hours
The most important thing time blocking can help you do is to create boundaries around work. When you block off time for your family, it becomes easier to leave work aside. Since you have mindfully chosen how to spend this time, you now only need to make good on that intention.
That said, it’s important to adhere to these boundaries. Try not to complete work-related tasks, answer calls, or respond to emails after work hours. If this is too difficult, then at least create particular time periods to spend with your family. To ensure your intention sticks, consider shutting off your electronic devices. For instance, make sure no one can interrupt you while eating dinner with your family, reading a story to your children, or putting them to sleep.
If this sounds impossible, or if you are feeling pressure to work even after normal business hours, then ask yourself from where that pressure is originating. Has someone at work actually communicated that you aren’t working enough or that they expect you to work off hours? Or is this pressure a product of your own mind? If you are the source of the pressure, then you can also stop putting it on yourself.
It might help to remember, as well, that workers become more productive when they take time off, so don’t feel guilty about checking out from work — doing so will enable you to return more revitalized and productive than ever. It’s in your employers’ best interest for you to take time for yourself and your family.
Providing a reliable structure for children
It might seem strange to use time blocking during family time, especially since this practice is usually associated with work. However, mastering this practice has many benefits.
First of all, reliable routines are important for kids. According to the U.S. Administration for Children and Families, “children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. A consistent daily schedule and step-by-step routines give children a predictable day. Schedules and routines in the group care setting and at home help children: feel in control of their environment, feel safe, secure, and comfortable, know what is happening now and what comes next, know how to do an activity or task, and engage in learning.”
Kids appreciate knowing what to expect and when to expect it. In this way, time-blocking the same activities for the same days and times ensures they receive this structure.
Another benefit is that time blocking can help children feel valued and know they are loved. They can see that you are not only making time for them but also ruling out other things that could compete for your attention. Since your time has been consciously blocked out to spend with them, they can feel confident that trivial interruptions won’t occur. The odds that you will be unexpectedly called away also decrease dramatically.
Finally, when you use time blocking to spend time with your family, you explicitly signal your intention to enjoy these moments to yourself; when you are with your children and significant other, you are fully present. This is what they want from busy working mothers more than anything else.
For success both at work and at home, try time blocking. You’ll be glad you did!
Legaspi is the President of Cyberbacker, the leading provider of world-class administrative support and virtual assistant services from anywhere in the world to anyone in the world. Empleo-Legaspi empowers growth-minded business owners with world-class economic leverage to fulfill their greatest purpose. She is an expert in career coaching and teaches others how to lead with integrity, purpose, and passion.
