Is Multi-Tasking Effective for Mom Entrepreneurs?
May 23, 2007
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I think as mom entrepreneurs we’re constantly multi-tasking…we have conversations with colleagues while we’re having conversations with children, we cook dinner while we listen to books on CD, we combine exercise with cleaning our houses, etc…sometimes it works for me and well, other times, it just doesn’t!
I feel that I’m a much more effective entrepreneur when I’m 100% there. And I know I’m a better mom when I’m 100% there. So why do I constantly try and do 50-50? I’m on a quest for productivity! I’m obsessed with my “to do” list and keep forgetting fundamental principles that my coaches have taught me such as “my magic 15 minutes a day of planning in the early morning” and “keep your to do list to 3 main tasks a day”, and carving out time to work and time to be with kids as separate.
Even today I got an email from someone I respect a great deal who told me:
For me, I have finally realized that I can only do one thing at a time and I have to accept that. And when I do, I am much happier. When I accept that the laundry can wait the book chapter can wait but my kids will only be in this moment with me ONCE. And so I schedule a babysitter once or twice a week for help and try to squeeze in as much as I can while she is there. Everything else I let go.
I’m going to try really hard to take her advice, I believe she’s right.
How are YOU getting things done as a mom entrepreneur?
I invite you all to comment, but specifically:
Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business
Merri Hackett, Golf Course Artwork
Lauren Sorgaard, North Country Essentuals
Great question. I go back and forth on this one. All of the experts say not to multi-task. And I’m addicted to my Blackberry, which doesn’t help.
Here are some things I do (multi-tasking and single task):
1) I do at least one activity a day (not counting bedtime reading) with my almost 4-yr old daughter Zoe where I just focus on her (playing cards, going with her while she rides her bike).
She is in preschool all day, so I can spend time with her at night.
2) I almost always catch up on my personal phone calls on my cell phone, in the car. I know, I know, it’s not politically correct, but trying to catch up on them when I’m working or when Zoe is home or when I’m out with my husband doesn’t work.
3) I try and include Zoe and my husband when we need to clean things up. Sunday morning is laundry and clean up time. Every Sunday Zoe helps me spray her clothes for stains before we wash them. She has her own spray bottle and I have mine.
Can’t wait to hear other thoughts.
Best,
Margie
Margie Zable Fisher
http://www.theprsite.com
Thanks Margie!
Excellent suggestions…I like including kids in errands and house work when possible too, it teaches them that we all pitch in to help and then hopefully they’ll want to keep things cleaner too…;)
Any other ideas?
I am the first to admit I am not a great multi-tasker! But when I do need time to work I will do it while my new baby is napping, and I’ll pop in a movie in for my 2 year old. Most of the housework, laundry and dishes get done late at night when the kids are in bed…or when my husband is kind enough to do it!
My neighbor and I will swap kids a couple times a week also. My 2 year old will play at her house for a couple hours, then the next day her daughter plays at my house. It’s an awesome system for startups that are bootstrapping it and don’t have the money for daycare or babysitters. I also do the same thing on weekends. I am in a play group that has 4 sets of parents with children about the same ages. One Saturday a month I watch all of the kids (for 3 hours), but the other three Saturdays I take my kids to their houses. It’s great for date night, cleaning up the house, or working on the business!
And luckily for me (and maybe unluckily too) our business is not super huge or so successful yet that it doesn’t require much time at all. I have an occasional phone call to deal with, but for the most part everything is done though email, and that I can do when ever I have a free moment.
Ever since I could remember, I’ve always had a to-do list. I’m one of those people who gets great satisfaction out of checking off completed tasks. So, it’s been very difficult for me to have my work wait while I spend time with my kids. I try to remember that my role of staying at home with my kids is my priority. Work comes second. Therefore, my work gets done when my boys are napping and when they go to bed at night. And, If I get really behind, I ask for my husband to watch the kids when he gets home from work so that I can catch up.
Here’s a funny example of what can happen if you try to balance kids and a business at the same time… About a month ago I was on the phone with a customer. Since I was distracted, my 2 year old twins took the opportunity to go into the bathroom and play in the toilet. I put my customer on hold and got them out of the bathroom. As soon as I went back to the phone, they went back into the bathroom. Trying to maintain some professionalism, I choose to let the boys stay in the bathroom until I could get off the phone.
During my conversation with my customer, I let her know that I was at home with my kids. Luckily, she was very understanding and was willing to be patient with me. I think that when you do have to cross work and kids, be up front with your customers. Most people are very understanding!
Jamie
http://www.craftybabies.com
As a mother of four and one on the way, I don’t know how to NOT multi-task. When I am at home, I don’t think it is even an option for me to do one thing at a time, unless my kids are asleep or zoning out in front of a video. Typically, I am on the phone while changing a diaper, folding clothes, breaking up a screaming fight between the kids, or carpooling. It’s nuts to do things that way, but sometimes that is just how it is.
In order to create QUALITY TIME with my kids, without the phone ringing in the background and perpetual messes being created, I have had to leave the house. This means park dates, walks, story time at the library, and play time in the backyard. I do try to sit down with my kids for every meal which means 3 times a day they will for sure have my undivided attention and good conversation with mom.
To create quiet, undisturbed quality time for my non-profit, I have to schedule actual blocks of time for my kids to be at their grandparents, a friends, or in bed asleep. But I agree with Kelly, don’t try to get more than 3 things done a day. It is usually do-able and at the end of the day, you are glad you accomplished the things on your short, yet worthwhile list.
Merri–Good for you to do the babysitting trades, those are great if you find the right friend or neighbor to do it with!
Jamie–sounds like you’ve found the right mix of mom and work time, good job
Deborah–good job that you sit down with your kids during mealtimes, I need to do a better job of that. That also demonstrates that meals are family time and more positive for them to want to eat their veggies! Glad you’re doing the “get 3 things done” honestly when I do it, it really is great, because I can do to bed and know I finished my 3 things.
Any other tips Start Up Princesses?
I would like to offer something that may be helpful in the quest to effectively multi-task and increase productivity…the utilization of a great time management system made for solo entrepreneurs and work at home moms.
Please read my post http://keybusinesspartners.wordpress.com/2007/05/25/the-ultimate-time-management-system-for-the-solo-entrepreneur-including-virtual-assistants/
Most of the time, my balance between work and family works pretty well. But, I do get stressed and overwhelmed just like everyone else. I applaud all the moms who try to run a business while at home with their kids. It’s not always easy!
Jamie
http://www.craftybabies.com
Absolutely it’s not easy..but it sure makes life adventurous and fun. Just now I was checking my email and my girls got into some gift wrapping shredded mylar…why I have that stuff in my house is a mystery! It’s everywhere…but for a minute they’re having fun and just like Jamie’s story about the kids playing in the bathroom…well, it’s being a kid to make messes, so I guess they enjoyed themselves.
[…] true…isn’t it? Timing is everything. Like our recent discussion on multi-tasking, “timing” is another topic I’ve been pondering. Timing is partners with […]
Hmm, multi-tasking, yes. I think I’m a natural at it and yet it’s not always a good thing. I have realized that when I’m my most stressed is when I’m half doing several things….trying to pay attention to my boys, cook dinner and answer emails…guaranteed way to have a burnt dinner! (at least for me!)
I have become more aware of my multi-tasking tendancies and then it’s practicing at single tasking on things I really care about. I find I am more relaxed when I focus on one thing and then change to something else. And, boy does it take a high level of awareness!
I’ve learned that when I’m feeling stressed and pulled in multiple directions and feel overwhelmed -I observe myself and realize..there I go again…trying to do too much at once. It’s not about judgment…just a desire to be more relaxed and patient…so I learn to let go.
I’m gotten good at being free for the bus arriving and that brief flash of the boys running in the house afterschool for a quick snack and out to play. (those fleeting “mom” moments as they get older)
I realize that when I’m sitting at my computer and feeling stressed it’s usually because I think I need to do several things “right now”. Just being conscious and choosing to do one helps me focus and feel calmer.
My best multi-tasking moments are when I’m watching favorite movies late at night..ones I’ve seen before, Pride & Prejudice, The Last Holiday…and folding laundry. I feel good that I’m getting something done around the house and yet taking in some relaxation that doesn’t require concentration…except when Mr Darcy says, “You have bewitched me body and soul…” the house could burn down and I probably wouldn’t notice!
Thanks Laura for taking time out to comment and share!
Great thoughts and inspiration…time to do more movie watching wiht laundry…like that. Sometimes I like to listen to Start Up Studio’s http://www.startupstudio.com recent podcast while I do that, but just giving myself permission to enjoy a chick flick sounds great! 
Thanks for reminding us to be moms first, too.