7 Management Tips for Full Time Moms

Being a full-time mom is a lot harder than it sounds. With all the constant chaos, it's easy to let the days slip past you and find that you aren't getting everything done that needs to be. If this sounds like you, here are seven time management tips to help you get back on track.

Make a to-do lists!

It may sound old-fashioned or fussy, but making yourself a list actually helps you to focus on what needs to be done. Be sure to put the most important items at the top of the list, so that you can be sure they get done. Less important things can be carried over into the next day's list, or even dropped altogether if you have too many other, more important things to do.

Let's get it over with: do the most difficult thing first

Have you ever dreaded doing something all day long? This is a huge waste of your time, as it slows you down, encourages you to waste time by procrastinating, and prevents you from doing the most important things on your list. Do the thing that you're dreading first each day, get it out of the way, and you'll be able to focus on the remainder of your tasks much more easily.

Focus on one thing at a time

Once you have your list, with the prioritized and/or the hardest tasks on top, start with the top task and focus on it until it's done. Trying to multitask or allowing yourself to be distracted just slows you down and prevents you from accomplishing everything you need to do.

Love your schedule and stick to it!

Set up a daily schedule for yourself and stick to it. This is the best way to ensure that you have enough time set aside to get everything done. Put things that can't be moved around, like children's meals and naps, on the schedule first. Then block out time for chores, errands, and anything else that needs doing.

Time is your friend, so set a timer!

Sometimes knowing you only have to focus for a short amount of time makes it easier to get the job done. Set a timer for a short amount of time, such as 25 minutes, and work for that entire time. When it's over, reward yourself with a short break.

Learn how to say "NO"

This may be one of the most valuable time management tips you'll ever get: Learn to say "no." The more demands we have on our time, the more choosy we have to be with what we make time for. Don't say "yes" simply out of habit or a sense of obligation -- actually think about whether you really have time for this, whether you are truly obligated, and whether the benefits justify adding yet another thing to your list.

Priority: sleep!

Even when you have a lot to do, your sleep shouldn't suffer. Make sure you always leave yourself time to get enough rest. The trade-off: You'll probably be more productive when you're well-rested, and tasks won't take as long as when you're tired and unfocused.Even with the best time management tips in the world, chances are you won't always get everything done on your list, so don't despair. Ideally these tips will help you to get at least most of it done!