There is no one way to be a successful business owner or mother. When balancing entrepreneurship and caring for your family, it is important to recognize there is not one format for success. However, there are a few things you can do today to help you build a successful business while still managing your home and family life.

Develop a Time Management Style

Every business owner needs to practice effective time management techniques. Mom entrepreneurs have the added pressure of including their children’s schedules in their calendars. Even though many time management systems promote that they are the solution that will get you organized, the best tools are the ones you use.

Have a Place for Everything

Decluttering helps you be more successful. Reduce the number of duplicate items in your office; you will learn to keep track of them. For example, rather than purchasing a box of 20 inexpensive pens, invest in a high-quality writing instrument and find a place to put it. You will train yourself to put the pen away and will always know where to find it.

As you remove excess, organize your home and office to make your day run smoother. Time spent looking for a pen, file folder, or cell phone is time wasted away from your business or family. There are numerous organizing systems available based on your organizational style.

Be Proactive

Prepare for the unexpected. Kids get sick; childcare falls through; clients make unscheduled visits. Make a list of those things that can disrupt your schedule and create a contingency plan to deal with those issues. You will have immediate solutions at your fingertips, and you won’t lose valuable time trying to come up with a solution. You’ll also have the bonus of reducing your stress level.

Get Support

Successful business owners know the importance of help. Without a strong foundation, something will crumble. Build a support system to help you through all aspects of your life:

• Establish a network of mom entrepreneurs to share professional and self-care tips
• Hire professionals, like a cleaning service, to remove one item from your to-do list
• Set aside time for you and your partner to commit to your relationship
• Practice self-care by granting yourself some time every day to do something you enjoy

Building your business while still being a mom takes practice. Take the time to make notes of what worked in your week compared to the challenges you experienced. Set aside some time to adjust your schedule to make your next week even more successful.