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As a mom starting in the world of Virtual Assisting, finding a balance between family responsibilities and professional duties can feel like you are being pulled in different directions. The key to finding that sweet spot is to create a well-thought-out schedule that allows time for both your family’s needs and your VA business or side hustle. Below I share practical strategies to help you create a schedule that maximizes productivity while maintaining peace in your life.
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- Assess Your Priorities: Before diving into scheduling specifics, take a second to identify your priorities. What are the non-negotiable tasks and activities in your family life? Are there specific times when you need to be fully present for your children? List out your recurring and other appointments.
- Choose Your Tools: Whether you prefer the experience of a paper planner or the convenience of a digital calendar, picking the right scheduling tool is important. Try out different options to find what feels best for you. Remember, the goal is to have a system that you can easily access and update as needed, whether you’re at home or on the go. Personally, I use both. Putting pen to paper helps me visualize my weeks and how to fit it all in. But I also include everything in a Google calendar so I have access on the go.
- Block Out Family Time: Start by carving out dedicated blocks of time for your family time. This includes childcare, school pick-ups and drop-offs, meal times, and any other activities or sports that you need to get the kids to. It’s important to block this family time first since it’s the highest priority.
- Allocate Time for Your VA Business: Once you’ve set aside time for your family, it’s time to allocate blocks of time for your VA business or side hustle. Consider your peak productivity hours (do you work best in the morning or evening?) and schedule client work, administrative tasks, and professional development activities during these times. Make sure you are realistic about how much time you can dedicate to your business each day and week, taking into account your other self and family responsibilities.
- Create Buffer Zones: Inevitably, life as a mom and Virtual Assistant will come with unexpected interruptions. Life is always life-ing, right? To lessen the impact of these disruptions, build buffer zones into your schedule. I always make sure to leave some flexibility in my calendar to accommodate last-minute changes or emergencies without throwing off my entire day.
- Prioritize Self-Care: It’s easy to neglect your own well-being, so you should make self-care a part of your schedule. Whether it’s scheduling regular exercise sessions, hobby time, or simply taking time to relax and unwind, prioritize activities that make you happy and prevent the dreaded burnout.
- Review and Adjust Regularly: Creating the perfect schedule should be an ongoing process. Regularly review your schedule to see what’s working and what needs adjustment. As your family’s needs change and your business grows, be prepared to tweak your schedule accordingly. Flexibility and adaptability are key to maintaining balance and harmony in your life.
Finding that sweet spot of balance being a mom in the virtual assisting world is possible with the right scheduling strategies. By having dedicated blocks of time for both your family and your VA business or side hustle, you can maximize productivity, minimize stress, and create a fulfilling life that integrates work and family.
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