Create Life Systems That Will Change Your Home Operations in 8 Steps
Perhaps by now you've caught the vision of creating family systems – much like a business creates business systems. Both require creative thinking and are contributing factors to the success of the entity. You've learned to identify and extinguish stress spots. Now it's time to incorporate everyday strategies to accomplish a long term goal – organization in the chaotic world of motherhood.
There has been much advice on this topic and quite frankly most moms find it all a bit overwhelming. It's too hard to stay on a schedule or maintain a checklist of to-do's. A life of a mother is anything but structured. You never know how your day will go. And just when you think it is safe to count on a schedule, your child gets the stomach flue, throws up all over you and you end up doing laundry all day. Or your husband has to work late and dinner gets pushed back. Or perhaps you get a call to put together 200 packets for school by noon. Or maybe you sleep through your alarm and you rush all day trying to catch up. Oh and then there's your housework and every other checklist.
Feeling the pressure, most moms freeze at one time or another – or all the time – not able to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. Our message to you is this: That's ok. Our checklists are simple and forgiving. After all, you are the CEO and you get to make the rules (and know when to break them).
Step 1 - Check
You've already begun to fix your stress spots through utilizing the concept of a business system. That is step one. If there is nothing else you can do, but continually work on these, you will be enjoying instant dividends. You will also find the process contagious and desire to solve more of these issues. There is nothing more joyful to a mother than reducing stress. Give yourself a high-five!
Step 2 – Keep Your Big Plans to Yourself
A CEO never divulges her latest big idea. Neither should you. Don't tell anyone what your plan is for the day. It's like knocking on wood, because the day you think you will accomplish 10 things, the dishwasher breaks and you accidentally lock yourself out of your house – and then you have to explain why you didn't get the other things done. If your husband or best friend asks what your plans are for the day, just say: “being a mom.” That says it all. This strategy is very healthy for a mother's mind, because you won't feel like a failure if you didn't get something done, nor have to explain yourself to someone else. Think of it this way. You're the ceoMom and you don't have to report to anyone. Now, for whatever you did accomplish (grocery shopping, an outing to the park, cleaning out the frig or washing your hair), feel free to spread the good news after it's happened.
Step 3 – Rise and Shine
How would a job be if the CEO walked into the workplace groggy, mean and in her pajamas? Very interesting to say the least, but all would agree unprofessional and unpleasant. As ceoMom, you need to set the standard for excellence. Wake up at least 15 minutes before the kids do, get dressed, do your hair and put a smile on your face. Children love waking up to a happy mom, just like an employee likes to work for a respectable boss. Likewise, dress your children within one hour of waking and do their hair (even if they will see no one else but you that day). This step is typically difficult to implement (so don't give up), but after a few days you will get into the habit.
Step 4 – The Early Bird Gets the Worm
An employee who hated her job once realized if she did the part of her job she didn't like first thing in the morning, she was able to enjoy the rest of her work day. The same theory holds true for ceoMoms. It is best to accomplish your worst task in the morning, so you do not worry and agonize about it all day. Procrastinating the inevitable ruins all the time in between. If you don't like laundry, do one load every morning. If dusting is not your thing, get it done before the kids come home. If it's time to change the sheets, kick everyone out of bed (they need to get up anyway). Then you can enjoy the rest of the day knowing if all else crumbles, you at least got that done. Plus, the longer the day goes on, the harder it is to convince yourself to do it.
Step 5 – House Meeting
Meetings, conference calls and lunch appointments can fill a day at work. As CEO of your home, hold a 30 minute meeting with your house every day. If someone calls or rings your bell, just tell them: “I'm in a meeting.” This is your time of day to pick up the house, take out the trash, put the dishes in the dishwasher, fold the laundry and wipe down the counters (see everyday checklist). It is amazing what can be done in 30 minutes to maintain the business of your home.
Step 6 – Reward System
Employees get praise, bonus checks and promotions. Moms get squat. Sometimes the biggest reward for mom is five minutes in the bathroom – alone, a fruit snack from the kids' food, leftovers for lunch (and not what the kids eat) and making a phone call to another mom who needs to wash her hair too. To accomplish your daily grind tasks, use these as motivation. Tell yourself: “As soon as the dishwasher is unloaded, I can have that snack.” Or “I will check the mail (sometimes our only outing) once the laundry has been folded.” This task-reward system will help you do the unwanted chores and enjoy the bonus of the bathroom.
Step 7 – It's Lonely at the Top
Contrary to popular belief, a CEO's job in the workforce is a constant juggling act without day-to-day recognition, praise or acclaim. It's lonely at the top. That's why a CEO needs to trust in their instincts, believe in themselves and act accordingly with confidence. Why? Because if they do their job well, the profits can be BIG. ceoMoms are no different. You have to be your own inspiration and compliment giver. No one else will. It will be seldom or never that another person will tell you: “You are the greatest mom ever.” So you need to tell yourself that – Every day. Remember, the greatest moms are those who never give up in sight of adversity and try harder every day – just like a CEO of a fortune 500 company.
Step 8 – Focus
There is one feature that separates a good from a bad business and that is the ability to stay focused on the goal. If a business attempts to produce, sell and market too many products too early, the business will be overwhelmed and not able to maintain operations under the available resources. Same holds true for moms. If you try to be everything to everybody, you will most likely sink under the pressure. Keeping focused on your goals will bring immediate and long term results for both a business and a mom. Remember, the goal of a ceoMom is to relieve stress. By completing the above steps, you will be well on your way. A strong indication of this is when you can answer your door at any time of the day and welcome the un-expectant guest into your home without apologizing for your appearance, mess, chaos and that special odor that just doesn't seem to go away. Keep this goal in sight, open your door and pour some tea.
