It’s one thing to work a full-time job, but it’s another thing to balance a career and a family all from your home office. This is where time management is key.

I work from home with a four-year-old and a five-month-old. I’ve worked in a traditional office setting, and I’ve been a stay-at-home mom. Each of these situations has had its upsides and its downsides, but I’ve found a way to maximize my productivity in each.

It takes some creativity and experimentation, but the better you manage your time, the greater your output across both realms. At the end of the day, it’s about finding what works best for you.

If you’re looking for ways to maximize your productivity, here are 5 effective time management tips to increase your output from home.

1: Establish your priorities.

One of the most important things you can do as an individual is to understand what’s most important to you. This becomes especially important when you step into motherhood. As women, it’s far too easy to lose ourselves and put everyone else’s needs before our own.

Set your priorities and give yourself flexibility in your daily schedule. Some days may require more time focused on work, and others will prioritize your kids and their activities. The key is to seek overall balance, so you feel at peace knowing that your professional needs and the needs of your family are being met.

When I have multiple deadlines at work, I’ve learned I need to carve out a lot of time to accomplish these tasks. However, I know my family matters, so I like to start my morning routine with a few hours in the company of my children. This sets me free to focus on work for the remainder of the day, only taking “breaks” to tend to baby.

It’s also important to plan down time into your day. Even if it’s just 15 minutes, give yourself space to breathe. This will help give you the energy you need long term to keep showing up for your coworkers and family.

2: Set boundaries.

Once you’ve established your priorities, set expectations for those around you. This will help you spend your time wisely and avoid feeling overwhelmed. For my family, I’ve learned to set boundaries by choosing to only host guests on the weekends. For us, weekdays are exhausting and stressful. This is especially true when our kids have extracurricular activities.

It’s also important to set expectations at work. If a coworker gives you an unrealistic deadline (knowingly or unknowingly) at the expense of other responsibilities, try proposing a different deadline. Consider clarifying with your colleague or client the amount of time a task will take to complete. This will allow you both to avoid wasting time.

If a task is particularly urgent, delegate the task to another team member. This allows your company to succeed while also setting you free to prioritize the most important tasks at hand.

3: Experiment with your schedule.

This comes back to knowing yourself and what’s important to you. Sometimes your schedule and deadlines are set for you; other times you may be able to set your own schedule. To the degree your job allows, don’t be afraid to experiment with your schedule.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your schedule

You may find it helpful to create a bullet journal with tasks laid out in one-hour increments. Or you may decide to abandon your planner to create a colorful sticky note wall. Anything goes as long as it works for you!

As a working mom, I keep very non-traditional workday hours. I may spend four concentrated hours on a project while the baby takes a long nap only to return to work after dinner. Other days, I may get a lot of work done in the morning followed by one-hour spurts throughout the day. Not everyone will have this sort of flexibility, but if you do, don’t be afraid to embrace it.

4: Organize a workspace.

Whether it’s your home office, a coffee shop, or your kitchen table, creating a designated workspace can significantly enhance your productivity. Set aside some time to identify what that space looks like for you and go with it. Experiment with little comforts, decor, music, and more to develop the workspace that empowers your productivity and flow.

When I sit down at my desk at home, I shift my mindset and transition to work mode. Sometimes, I may move to the couch or kitchen table if I need to keep an eye on the kids, and I allow myself that flexibility.

5: Give yourself grace.

As good as it feels to check things off your list, your sense of accomplishment is ultimately driven by your mindset towards yourself. Be patient with yourself and understand that your accomplishments may look different from day to day.

This is an especially helpful reminder if “mom” is now part of your identity. Loving your child (in any capacity) is a noble and wonderful thing. It’s okay if productivity one day simply looks like your kids having full bellies, even if it’s a belly of McDonald’s. The laundry will get done, the bathroom really isn’t that bad, and your project for work isn’t due until next week, right?

You are more than your to-do list.

It’s not always easy to accomplish everything you want in a day. Your life constantly changes, and the time management skills that work for you today may not work for you tomorrow.

Right now, my baby son is in the throws of sleep regression, and my toddler is growing increasingly bored of being cooped up in the house because of a global pandemic. It’s a daily struggle to remember my value is not found in what I accomplish for my work or family.

Ultimately, you can make any situation work with the right mindset and a couple of cheerleaders in your corner. As you strive to maximize your time, remember to give yourself grace. You are more than your to-do list.