5 Goals That Every Work-at-Home Mom Should Have for 2013

Written By: Parenting Contributor, Prerna Malik, TheMomWrites.com

Yes, 2013 is just around the corner and chances are you’re busy gearing up for the holidays and the merry making. While doing that, make sure you take some time out to map out your goals for the next year so that when January arrives, you’re all set to live you best life ever as a work-at-home mom.

Here are 5 Goals that Every Work-at-Home Mom Should Have for 2013:

1. Set Working Hours

You see, when you’re working in an office, the one thing that is set  is your timing. You know when to get in and when to get out. But when you’re working from home, that isn’t happening. Setting working hours is a great way to not only feel more professional about your work but also set boundaries between work and personal life.  Here is how I set my working hours and create sanity in my life.

2. Say ‘No’ When Needed

As a mom entrepreneur, we often tend to say ‘yes’ when we actually need to say, ‘no’. For instance, you’ve volunteered at the school bake sale and a client calls in with a last-minute change. Instead of saying, ‘Sorry, I wouldn’t be able to work on it this week. Can I send it to you next week?”, we kill ourselves trying to do both.

Make 2013 different and pause before jumping in with a ‘yes’. Think about what’s important and what would matter to you and your family at the end of the day before accepting another assignment.  Sometimes a ‘no’ doesn’t have to be a no. It can be a ‘Yes’ with a difference, like in the example above. Try it.

3. Set Aside Time for Learning

Make 2013 your year for learning something new. As busy moms and entrepreneurs, we often forget to learn new skills, either for personal or professional development. Make this year your year for learning and commit to learning at least one new business skill and one new personal development skill.

4. Have Fun, Lots of It

We work from home because we want to be at home with our kids and contribute to the family income as well. So, have fun while you’re at it. Whether it is enjoying the flexibility of baking cupcakes in the middle of the day with your preschooler or heading out for an impromptu picnic with everyone in tow, do it. Savor the small moments of joy, every single day.

5. Take Action….Every Day

Finally, every work-at-home mom should commit to taking action every single day. Whether it is a single step or a complete project, make sure you’re taking action to build your business, grow your community, nurture your family and most importantly, nourish your own self. Take action. Small steps, baby steps, but take them. You’ll emerge a stronger, happier and more fulfilled mother and woman at the end of the year. I promise.

So, what goals are you going to set for yourself for 2013? Share with me in the comments.