I envy writers and entrepreneurs that started early in life and men.
Recently a mom friend asked me how I can work during the day. She said she can’t even get a 15-minute computer task done. Even when the kids are in school she is running around doing errands and other tasks.
For the past month, I have been determined to create a system that creates time for work, well-being, and household duties.
It’s true that I do have a lot more responsibility than young writers but they do inspire me. I can’t do Netflix and chill lunches or naps yet, but I will get there one day. When the kids are more grown maybe.
I just finished reading Stephen King’s book On Writing. It is so good, but I am struck again by how easy it is for men to just go to work and no one bothers them. He writes all of his books at home in his office. Every day he goes into his office and locks it and is able to work uninterrupted.
I leave my office/bedroom door unlocked for “emergencies”. “Mom, what’s for dinner?” “Mom, sister is being mean to me.” “Mom, can you help me with _____.”
Even the dog scratches the door to come in and lay next to me only to go crazy barking after a few minutes and demanding to be let out.
I am writing about Stephen King because I credit my new system to him. He unapologetically writes daily at the same time, whether the kids are home or not. Whether the house is clean or not. He loves his work and makes it a priority to do that first.
Even now, after all of his success, he still writes daily.
My Goals for 2022 are to:
- Work 4 hours Monday — Friday. Two hours on Saturday and Sunday. Aside from writing I create products and do some coaching.
- Ignore household chores during the day so that I can be done by the time my kids are all home.
- Not feel guilty for finishing my work in the afternoons on days when I couldn’t during the day
- Not feel guilty for locking the door
- Follow the 90-day plan, which is to review my goals every 90 days. My personal goals, household, marriage, and financial goals with my husband and work goals.
Here is the schedule that I created for myself thanks to the inspiration of Stephen King.
5:30 Wake-up
5:30–6:30 Read (non-fiction)
6:30–7 Get dressed
7 Wake up little ones and drop off highschooler
7:30 Little ones get ready for school (pack lunch, fill up water bottles, breakfast if eating at home)
8:15 Walk to school with dog
9:30 Breakfast
10:00 — 12:30 Work
12:30 — 1 Lunch and dinner prep because I’m a badass
1 Pick up highschooler and hang out with her
1:30–2:30 Work
3 Pick up school-age kids
3:15 Snack for kids and cook dinner
4 -5 Homework
5 Eat dinner
5:30–7 Clean, play, extracurricular activities
7 Showers and free time; *finish up any work that didn’t get done during the day to reach my 4- hour goal
8:30 Bedtime for all; Time for mom to read or watch TV
This is my ideal schedule, but it doesn’t always pan out that way. I would say that I am successful 75% of the time. What has been left out in the past when I can’t do it all? My work, morning reading, and walking. Yes, everything that serves me.
I am beginning to value my work time more so I plan to execute this schedule at the 85% rate in 2022. If Stephen King can do it then I can too. He is married and had small children when he was writing all of his books.
My husband is now cooking two days a week. He also takes over at 6:30ish if I’m not done with work and if he is not at practice with my oldest. That frees up a lot of time for me. I have learned to not ask and just say what I need to get done.
My goal here is to encourage working moms to let go of the guilt of saying, “I have to go to work, don’t bother me”. No matter what time of the day. We shouldn’t have to lose sleep to have careers and be good moms and wives.
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