Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle? Welcome to the world of parent entrepreneurs. I've been there, and let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart.
But here's the thing: it doesn't have to be chaos. Over my 20+ years as a web designer, online marketing specialist, and father of six, I've learned a thing or two about managing time. Today, I'm going to share how you can structure your day for maximum productivity without sacrificing family time.
The Morning Magic: Setting the Tone for Your Day
You've probably heard successful people talk about their morning routines. There's a reason for that – how you start your day can make or break your productivity.
Here's what works for me:
- Wake up before the kids: I know, it's tough. But those quiet morning hours are gold. I've actually come to enjoy getting up early over time.
- Review your plan: I spend a few minutes reviewing my goals for the day and committing to them.
Remember, your morning routine doesn't have to be two hours long. Even 30 minutes can make a huge difference.
The Power of the First 90 Minutes
Did you know that the first 90 minutes of your workday can be the most productive? It's true. Our brains are typically at their sharpest in the morning.
Here's how to make the most of this time:
- Tackle your most important task first: Don't check your email. Don't scroll social media. Dive straight into your most crucial work.
- Minimize distractions: Put your phone on silent or at least out of site. Close unnecessary browser tabs.
- Use the Pomodoro technique: Work in focused 25-minute bursts, followed by 5-minute breaks. I use an adaptation of this method.
Learn your peak productivity times, I have a second peak of productivity in the late afternoon. Take advantage of these rhythms in your workday to get more done.
Focusing on high-priority tasks during this time will often allow you to accomplish more in 90 minutes than most people do in a full day.
Time Blocking: Your Secret Weapon
Time blocking has been a game-changer for me. It's a simple concept: instead of working from a to-do list, you schedule specific blocks of time for different tasks.
Here's how I structure my day:
- 7:00 – 7:30 AM: Morning routine
- 7:30 – 9:00 AM: High-priority work (remember those crucial 90 minutes?)
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM: Check and respond to urgent emails
- 9:30 – 11:00 AM: Continue on the high-priority project
- 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Lunch
- 11:30 – 3:00 PM: More client work, small projects, or meetings
- 3:00 – 3:45 PM: Admin tasks and prep for tomorrow
- 3:45 – 5:00 PM: Exercise (I hate working out in the morning)
- Enjoy the evening!
I take little breaks in there as well. This structure isn't set in stone. Some days, client needs, or family obligations will require adjustments. Other days, it all goes out the window, and you feel like you've accomplished nothing. That's the truth of the matter.
The key is to have a plan, even if you sometimes need to deviate from it.
Teaching Your Kids to Respect Work Time
Setting boundaries with your kids is good for your productivity and good for them, too. I encourage you to teach them in the way you intend to proceed when they are young. That applies to more than just work routines.
When I first started working from home, I was in an open room in our basement. It was challenging with little kids. They just wanted to say hi or needed to pass through the room, which made focused work time near difficult. I also need to mention that an office is crucial 🙂
But over time, we developed a system:
- Closed office door: It means I'm in a meeting or need to focus. The kids still pop in, but they know I'm in work mode.
- Daily connection points: Since we homeschool, I usually say good morning to the kids and connect at lunchtime. Whether your kids are home or in public school, having a routine of connection times creates a healthy structure for everyone.
- Expected family time: My kids know they'll have my full attention in the evening and on weekends.
Remember, you're modeling important life skills for your kids. They're learning about work ethic, time management, and the importance of boundaries.
The Art of Saying No
One of the hardest lessons I've had to learn is the power of saying no. As entrepreneurs, we often want to seize every opportunity. As parents, we want to be there for every moment. But the truth is, we can't do it all.
Be selective about the projects you take on and the commitments you make. Every ‘yes' to one thing is a ‘no' to something else. Make sure you're saying ‘yes' to the right things.
Embracing Imperfection
Here's a truth bomb for you: some days, despite your best efforts, things will fall apart. The kids will get sick, a client will have an emergency, or you'll just have an off day.
And that's okay.
The goal isn't perfection. It's progress. Some days you'll knock it out of the park, and other days you'll barely make it to first base. What matters is that you keep showing up, trying, and learning.
Remember, you're not just managing time – you're creating a life. A life where you can build a successful business and be present for your family. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it.

“The key to happiness is to make good use of time.”
St. Augustine
Let's make the most of our time, not just for our businesses, but for our families and our purpose.
So, what will you do with these 24 hours you've been given?