Episode 42: How to Get Work Done
Even when you are interrupted every 15 minutes
Hey BRILLIANT Mompreneurs!
Have said any of the following this week: I’m so tired. I have so much to do. I’m so overwhelmed. And I don’t know how I’m going to do it all.
If so (or even if you’ve just thought it) I want to introduce you to the M.O.M. method. This is something that came from all of that pressure, and all of that overwhelm. This is what made all the difference in my business; taking me from barely surviving and trying to figure out what to do with my business, making $400 a month, to making $4,000 a month and then doubling that again.
It’s simple, easy and effective! And today I’m breaking it all down in a short solo episode!
"They're only going to be little for a little bit and it's not going to always be like this. Let's change our mindset from being frustrated and expecting things to be different, to accepting the fact that we'll be interrupted. "
Discussed in this Episode...
What is the M.O.M. Method?
Mom life is crazy. It’s full of interruptions
Today I’m walking you through the M.O.M. method! This is my method to process through anything that is blocking me or that I want to overcome. It is what I use to break through, or level up in my business or in my mom life.
So what does it even stand for?
- M – Mindset
- O – Operations
- M – Movement
What is my mindset about it?
What is my operations? What are my systems and processes
What is my movement? What action am I going to take to make this happen? \
Starting with Mindset:
First of all, your children are small for such a short time! It’s not going to always be like this. Let’s just change our mindset from being frustrated and expecting things to be different, to accepting the fact that we’re going to be interrupted. We’re in the thick of motherhood right now and in that midst of that stage of life on purpose; we chose to be moms. We love being a mom! Our motivation for having a business is to have more time to be a mom.
The only thing predictable about our weeks right now, are that they are unpredictable. Whether the kids are sick, or chaos is happening, or the kids decide to do some silly thing that alters your day. (I could give you some really off the wall examples, but I’m not gonna go there.) The point is, if we have this unpredictability, let’s plan to be interrupted and plan to enjoy spending time with our kids connecting with them. And with the right strategy we can do that while also checking in on our business and doing tasks. So first, let’s change your mindset!
Next is Operations:
This is the nitty gritty of the systems we’re going to use to build our business. And I’m going to share my nitty gritty here!
I built my business with a system of 15 to 20 minutes. Every 15 to 20 minutes I would get up and focus on my kids for five minutes. Sometimes it’s longer depending on what they’re doing. Maybe if I’ve set them up with a snack or a game and knew they would be fine for longer. But when they were younger, 15 minutes was definitely the limit of how long they could go without attention (or bad things would happen). I would fully get up from my computer, or put my phone down, every 15 to 20 minutes and check in with the kids.
But How Does That Work?
Now I know what you’re thinking! That’s a lot of disruption. And yes, it is, but I want to be there for my kids! I figured out what worked for my family and what would allow me to succeed as a mom and an entrepreneur.
So how does that translate into actually getting anything done? Because 15 minutes is not a lot of time to work on something in your business! I know it’s not ideal, but you can actually accomplish anything by breaking down the things that you need to do into small chunks. Whether it’s email marketing, or your social media strategy, recording reels, reaching out with clients, checking our email, what can be done in 15 minutes, or last 20 minutes or less?
I’ll give you a quick example! Email marketing was a big part of my strategy when I was a blogger. As a blogger I wanted to send an email out every week. So I would break it down into sections. One 15 minute chunk I would do the outline, check in with the kids, reset everybody, and come right back. Next I would write the content of the email. I would quickly fill in a paragraph, 15 minutes would be up, and I would go check out the kids. And I just take the next step, and the next step, and the next step until the task was accomplished. Yes, it’s disjointed. But I was getting things done! And instead of being frustrated that I was interrupted and asked for a snack, I planned for it and I accommodated for that.
You can do this! You could still build a business in 15 minute chunks. I know it may feel frustrating, but you can do it!
And Finally, Movement:
This the action part. And this is the hardest part! Just taking action in your plan instead of getting stuck on your Facebook feed, or your Instagram reel’s feed. You can scroll, but that’s not taking action. That’s you sitting on your booty, or standing around instead of taking action. We could be networking with another mom, or engaging with a brand instead of just scrolling mindlessly.
So, what can you do in 15 minutes that could move your business forward? It really is the simplest thing. Somebody just messaged me something that made my day. She said she had a memory come up from last year when we had a conversation where I shared this strategy, and she said thank you; because it’s changed her life. Friends, that made my day! It wasn’t anything life changing. It’s really, really simple. You can do it in 15 minute chunks! I know it’s not normal, but we’re moms and we’re resourceful. We can do anything we want to!
Keep all this in mind this week. The only think I can predict about this week is that my week is going to be unpredictable. But how can you combat that by using this 15 minute strategy? You will be shocked by how much you can get done, and not just in your business! You could apply this in your house cleaning, or meal planning, or meal prepping or whatever it is that you are wanting to get done! You can do it. This is how people with kids get things done. I don’t have any secret. It’s not a secret. It’s just taking action.
More about Lani Jackson:
Lani is a mom to 6 kids, and wife to her husband of 15 years. She survives on caffeine, laughing with her kids, cooking in the kitchen, hiding in the pantry eating chocolate, and helping other women know they are not alone in the chaos of motherhood & their entrepreneur journey.
She is a Clarity & Strategy Coach for mom entrepreneurs! Helping them to create flexible strategies that adjust and move with the chaos of mom life, but still bring consistent monthly income. Her mission is to help mompreneurs get out of survival mode, release the mom guilt, and create a clear plan of action that will help them reach their dreams of consistent monthly income, flexibility, and freedom.
