With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time to think of all the working mums out there. We make up a third of all women working in New Zealand so we’re an important section of society. For a lot of us working mums, a work life balance is something we only dream of and are always striving to achieve. Here at Wynyard Wood, we have many working mums so we’ve put together some tips to help you on your way:
- CHANGE WHEN YOU WORK
The days of working 9 to 5 are over. Ask your employer for flexible work options. They can only say no and research shows its good for employers as well as employees, with higher worker retention rates and more engaged, happier workers. Consider flexible working hours, compressed days (working full time hours over 3 or 4 days), remote working, job-sharing.
- PRIORITISE WORK TASKS
Determine your most urgent tasks for the day and focus on them. Less important jobs can wait or maybe delegated to someone else. Don’t allow those urgent jobs to keep you in work after hours. You’ll be surprised how many less important jobs have disappeared by the time you eventually turn to do them.
- BE TIME SMART
Make the most of your work breaks. Can you fit in some exercise in your lunch break? You won’t feel like it after putting the kids to bed. Run errands and pay bills. Meet a friend for a coffee. The aim is to free up as much of your day outside of work to spend on whatever is important to you.
- WORK SMART
Use technology to save you valuable time. Can an email replace a face to face meeting? Hold a Skype meeting instead of battling Auckland traffic to make an external appointment. We find many of our clients are happy to meet by Skype as it saves their valuable time also.
- LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
If you’re not taking care of yourself, then no-one else around you can be properly taken care of. Always be aware of your physical and mental health and try to listen to you body. If you start feeling overwhelmed, anxious and struggle sleeping, then you need to make some time for yourself. Download some mindfulness apps on your phone (‘Calm’ is good) and take 5 minutes a day to listen to them. Tell someone how you are feeling.
- EMBRACE IMPERFECTION
Give up on trying to be perfect. Perfection does not exist. Accept your imperfections, be kind to yourself and let go of the guilt. Working mums are superwomen and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!