Time management on the Home front

   

Aloha from Karen,

    I leave tomorrow morning for my youngest son's high school graduation in Florida (It's a long story but for halth reasons after two years with us in Maryland we sent him back to Florida to our oldest daughter's home to finish high school). He has received some great scholarships (academic ones) for college. We'll also see our new granddaughter (born March 25th to our younger daughter who also lives in Florida) while we are there. I'll dedicate the time to family, and that means I won't post next week. (Enjoy Memorial Day week).
    My Dad is still in the hospital and I thank so many of you for your prayers.

   It’s great to have wonderful plans and be busy following through. However, that may mean you have less time for your family and home (and other commitments). I want to address ideas that can help you in that area (when you free time in one area you have more time to devote to another activity-like marketing). 

Whether you are going on the road to speak, do a book tour, or simply dedicating more tie to marketing for a few days, you can make home life easier with some preparations.

Family:
Stay in touch.
•    Dedicate time when home to your loved ones and be in the present moment when with them. This can be hard when you have a full time job plus writing. Plan time for just the family.
•    Leave notes for family members on pillows and in pockets or even in the frig. Let them know you care! Also when you travel send home a postcard, email, and call often. You can write notes while flying to leave when you take your next trip.
•    Let your family be you number one prayer team. Ask them to help build it and be the ones to pass on prayer requests for you.
•    If you have young children, record devotions or reading a book to them. They can listen when you’re away.
•    Keep your calendar up to date on important family events so you won’t book yourself on those dates. If you have such a great opportunity to speak on one of the dates, ask if you can bring your spouse/family and make it a mini-vacation.
•    Bring a camera so your family can see where you went and share the experience. You may need a second camera to see what happened in your absence or your cell phone may have a built in camera that will work fine.

    Prepare for busy times
•    Cook meals ahead. Write cooking directions on the container before freezing. That way anyone can finish preparing it. Do this before days you want to dedicate to marketing as well as before trips related to marketing/writing.
•    Cook doubly portions and freeze half to stockpile extra meals ahead.
•    If you are the one to mow the lawn, see if you can trade off with a neighbor and mow for them when you’re home and have them mow for you when you’re gone. Otherwise, be the one to hire a teen to do it.
•    Keep finances and records in order. Set up online payment to save time.
•    Always keep ingredients for a simple meal on hand. Then if an interview or assignment comes up at the last minute, you’re ready.
•    Consider when it might be time to hire someone for home jobs, like cleaning and gardening. Ask around for recommendations. When you need it, you’ll be ready to contact the right people.
•    Keep home maintenance simple. Use a quilt instead of a bedspread and have containers for mail and other items that tend to pile up.

Travel tips
•    Have an extra set of toiletries and makeup/medicines and spare cash to quickly slip into a suitcase (or keep it in the suitcase). This saves packing, unpacking, and makes sure you have all you need.
•    Keep files online. I have a MAC and use idisk. Anything I’m working on is in the idik as well as my travel itinerary and important contact information. I can access it from anywhere on any computer. There are ways for PC owners to keep files online too. Otherwise, email files to yourself before traveling.
• You can always access your email anywhere with services like mail2web.com (just enter your email address and password).
•    Hang accessories on the same hanger as your main speaking outfits (ties and matching socks or scarves and nylons with suits or dresses). Slip on a paper note of any jewelry (tie tack, necklace, shoes etc) you like to wear with the outfit. That way you won’t forget anything.
•    When you make your travel arrangements, immediately print out a copy and place it in your travel bag or folder where you file trip info (in case you travel lots on book tours). Write airline and other travel phone numbers on the plans in case something goes wrong.
•    Keep business cards and printed marketing materials in your bag and briefcase at all times. Then you’ll never leave home without them.

Church and outside commitments
•    If you are a leader (group, ministry, Bible Study, coach): Partner with someone instead of taking on leadership alone. Make sure this person can trade off dates with you to be at meetings, lead the group, and keep you posted.
•    Before volunteering for anything, check that calendar and see if you really have time to commit. Otherwise, be gracious and state that God has called you to another work and you must give it your best. After all, the message you are marketing is your calling.
•    If you have school age children, discuss what they can volunteer you for if there’s a class trip, bake sale, or party. If it’s the paper goods, keep some on hand. Or together make and freeze cookies ahead so they know they can offer to bring them in. You can also freeze cookie dough you make to simply slice and bake when needed.

Reflect on what stressed you or your family out when you left, for a speaking trip or conference, or when you got busy with the marketing. Brainstorm ideas to alleviate the stress. Each person has unique activities/responsibilities that need unique preparations.