Today I am sharing tips for staying motivated, as a sahm blogger. I run my successful blog from home. Some say I should call myself a Work at Home Mom Blogger – I like to think both are very much the same. Both are focused on careers and both are running a business and contributing to the household income whilst raising a family.
Working from home has its blessings and challenges. I personally think the blessings far outweigh the challenges. One such challenge is how we stay motivated when there are so many distractions are home. Kids need you always, home chores are staring at you right in the eye and just because you are working from home, somehow your family thinks you’re on vacation.
With two toddlers and moving back and forth from LA to Toronto and back, I have learned a lot of tips and tricks to help me stay motivated. It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole of self-doubt and exhaustion, but I hope these tips will help you roll up your sleeves and get to work.
- Rise Early to Pray
- Stick to your TO DO List
- Map Everything
- Vision Board
- Brand Yourself
- Guilt-Free Work
- Day OFF
- Short-Term Goals
1. Rise Early to Pray
It has been a mission to achieve this. But I have successfully achieved it and it has made the biggest difference for me. Waking up before the sun gives me enough time to welcome the day. I usually wake up at 5 a.m., its still dark outside. I freshen up, do
wudu and perform Namaz eh Fajr (note: for my non-Muslim readers, Fajr is the first prayer of the 5 daily prayers). It helps me stay focused on Allah (GOD) and before I start my day, I connect with my Creator. There is nothing more important than this bond. I leave all my worries to him and ask for His guidance. It gives me confidence for how my day will unfold.
2. Stick to your To-Do List
Since I was in middle school, I’ve been writing to-do lists on my yearly planners. I need to write things down the old-fashioned way. I need to see it and check it off my list. Then I feel like I have accomplished something. I do not get the same feeling when I type things on the computer – but that’s just me. I think buying a journal in your favorite color that represents your personality will motivate you to write in it. Same goes with your pen – get a cool one. Here are my recommendations:
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3. Map Everything
As a visual learner, I like to express my ideas by writing them all out. I’ve made my business plans simply by using a dry – erase board and mapping my ideas out. This is really efficient for me. I’ve drawn up the skeleton of my blog BlushBassinet.com by simply mapping my ideas out. Of course throughout time these ideas will evolve and grow. But writing your beliefs and ideas is the first step toward action. Here are my recommendations of the dry-erase boards:
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4. Vision Board
I’ve had only 2 vision boards in my life. One for my wedding in 2013 and one for the year 2020. The years in between were a blur of life happenings. But to be very honest, I’ve never felt more organized or prepared in my life. The last time I felt like this was when I just about to graduate from York University and preparing for my wedding. But now it’s just on a bigger scale and business oriented Allahamdulilah. Vision boards remind you of your priorities and keeps you focused. Whenever you lose motivation, just remind yourself to look at your vision board. For the days that you are lost and unmotivated, you will need this boost to know why you started in the first place. Most of you have probably seen mine in my office, but here are my recommendations (I personally like the bigger ones):
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5. Brand Yourself
When your vision for yourself is right, you know what to filter. And filtering things that do not reflect your brand while seeking those things that do, help you stay organized. When you are organized, you’re not overwhelmed. It goes without saying that being overwhelmed is a reason to be unmotivated and procrastinate. So in essence, knowing who you are and what you and your brand stand for helps you stay focused and motivated.
6. Guilt-Free Work
With two toddlers that need mommy for almost everything, it is easy to feel guilty. I used to feel guilty sitting in my office while my kids were awake. I felt like I was neglecting them or that I shouldn’t be working.
My sister helped me address this by saying what you are working on and achieving is ultimately for them. You help give them a better life. And because I am just so used to always attending to their every need and putting work off, I end up staying up late at night and sacrificing sleep just to catch up. I can no longer do that because after years of doing that, I’ve experienced health problems. And the kids need a healthy mama at the end of the day. So I’ve learned to create certain boundaries for myself, my work and my children. Working on your business with the right conscious helps you stay motivated to achieve those goals confidently.
7. Days OFF
If you are struggling with 6, like I did for a while then #7 is for you. Distinguish which days are off. I mean literally mark them on your calendar. Spend those days with the kids without any distractions from work. Schedule some alone time with your husband or take your kids for a date or even do something nice for yourself. This resets your mind, body and soul. Keeping you on your toes to start work again with a well-rested body and mindset.
8. Short-term Goals
They say baby steps – right? That couldn’t be more accurate. When you list your short-term goals and focus on achieving them one by one, you feel confident when it’s crossed off. This in itself motivates you and confirms you are on the right track to your bigger goals. I write in my journals, on my dry-erase board and post reminders on my vision board. All of these keep my in line.
I hope these tips and tricks help you stay motivated as a stay at home mom who runs a business or a blog from home. Would love to hear your thoughts, connect with me on Instagram.
