Ever wonder how other busy Christian mama’s handle work-life balance?
I’m doing a round-up post series with some amazing women about work-life balance.
I asked Candis from SmartMomBlogger.com these questions about work-life balance as a Christian mom this is what she said…
Candis is a stay-at-home bloggin’ wife & mama of four.
who teaches teach strategic blogging advice to help busy mamas like you grow your blog impact + income.
she also features other successful mom bloggers across all different niches, and have them share their detailed success strategies with you as well!
That’s what SmartMomBlogger.com is all about: making the most of our “blogging time” by focusing on productive and profitable tasks so that we can have the freedom to work from home without stressing about money.
Advice for mom bloggers
Working from home while running a family can be extremely overwhelming if boundaries and priorities aren’t identified and adhered to. Here’s the process I recommend everyone go through:
1. Get clear on your BIG VISION and WHY you want it. What, exactly, do you want out of your business and why? This might seem like an unnecessary step that you can easily skip past to get to work, but if you don’t start with these then it will be way too easy to procrastinate or quit when you’re tired or Netflix is calling.
2. Schedule NON-NEGOTIABLE working hours into your calendar. This might mean you have to wake up earlier or go to bed later. If you miss a work session, you have to make it up that same week. When you work for yourself, it’s easy to make excuses and say you’ll do it later. You won’t. There will always be something else vying for your attention. You have to take your work time seriously.
3. Schedule in regular LEARNING time. When you’re an entrepreneur, you are constantly having to figure out things for yourself. Researching, figuring things out and learning new things can easily take over your entire schedule and keep you stagnant and frustrated. To make sure this doesn’t happen, schedule in research/learning time (eg. taking a course, researching Google, watching a webinar, etc.) into your calendar SEPARATE from your work time. Make your work schedule is dedicated to taking ACTION (writing a blog post, creating a Facebook ad, writing an ebook, etc.).
I love blogging because…
I love being “wife and mom”, so much so that I got lost in those roles for many years when my first babies came along. As time went on, I realized I had a deep desire for pursuing something outside those roles, to challenge myself and make a difference in others’ lives as well. My business fulfills that need.
The Systems
I use many systems to help me manage but the one that I feel is MOST important is compartmentalization of my time. Making sure my work time is work time, family time is family time, and home management time is just that too. When you work from home, it is so easy to just work the day away and ignore everything else that needs to be done. If you don’t compartmentalize your time than soon enough your home and family will become 2nd and 3rd priorities without you even realizing it.
The best and worst parts of work-life balance?
Hmmm, I’ve always thought this phrase was misleading. I think the whole idea of “balance” is somewhat of a myth. I mean, surely you want to make time for it all and fit it all in. But that’s not the same thing as balance. I think it really comes down to identifying your priorities – in writing – and making sure your calendar and schedule reflect those priorities. If you tell yourself that family is your #1 priority, but you’re letting your work spill over into all your family time, then something’s off and it’s time to reflect and reset.
God and prayer time
A must, every morning and throughout the day. I love my work, I love pursuing my passions, but at the end of the day, if God’s not in it then I’m chasing the wrong things. Continual prayer is my way of making sure I’m still on the right track.
Lasting advice for a fellow entrepreneur
Start with your VISION and your WHY. Get crystal clear on what those are. Do your research into what kind of business you’d like to start, pray about it, then take the first step. START. You don’t have to have it all figured out before your start (otherwise you never will!). Everything can be figured out given enough patience, prayer, and grit. So just go for it, mama!
Aha’s from a smart mom blogger
Candis has been an inspiration to me over the years, with wonderful ways mama bloggers can handle work-life balance. She practices what she preaches and moves forward in her life never giving up her dreams. My favorite tip aside from quiet time is the way she schedules NON-NEGOTIABLE working hours into your calendar. This tip has helped me so much with my own blogging, not to flake on myself, cuz I matter! Don’t forget to check Candis out for more great tips at SmartMomBlogger.com.
Sara Chinakwe is a Christian writer who believes every woman has the power to live out God’s plan for their lives. She enjoys helping other women shed the negative lies they think about themselves in order to live out Gods truth. Sara resides in Sacramento California with her husband and two kids. You can subscribe to her blog and learn more about living out God’s truth for your life by subscribing here