Mobile Menu

  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Home Jobs by MOM

Insights. Ideas. Improvements.

  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Business Ideas
  • Improving Family Life
  • Contact
  • Search
Have Blog, Need Life_ How to Be Successful Without Letting It Take Over

Have Blog, Need Life: How to Be Successful Without Letting It Take Over

You are here: Home / Business / Blogging Tips / Have Blog, Need Life: How to Be Successful Without Letting It Take Over

February 19, 2021 //  by Home Jobs By Mom//  30 Comments

Note: This article contains affiliate links (hyperlinks, widgets, or through images), which means I receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers. Visit my disclosure page for more information.



Tweet
Pin
Share1
Share

Have Blog, Need Life_ How to Be Successful Without Letting It Take Over

Having a successful blog can be a dream come true. You get to work from home, write and curate material about a subject you love dearly, grow creatively. Not to mention, also connect with like-minded people and devise brilliant new business models for monetizing your efforts. Plus, you get to say lines like, “They like me! They really like me!”

But running your own business – and that’s just what running a blog is – can be overwhelming. It can be hard to have anything resembling a work-life balance when it all comes down to you. How, then, can you stay productive while still having a life?

It doesn’t matter if you run a news blog like forbesnews9 or just have a website filled with your awesome recipes—the secret? Give yourself strict limits, work as hard as you can within a set time frame, and close your laptop.

Starting a blog for the first time is an amazing, yet intimidating experience. Here are some ways you can stay productive while still having a life! Click To Tweet

To get started, we recommend reading this excellent productivity guide for a few great tips that will keep you on top of those daily tasks, and also taking these top 5 tips to heart as well.

1) Master Your Inbox


Whether it’s a standard technique like Inbox Zero or a hybrid of a few, mastering that inbox is key to work productivity. But that doesn’t mean instantly answering everything that comes through.

In fact, even taking one minute for a quick reply can seriously interrupt workflow, especially if multiplied across many emails across the day. Instead, consider turning off access to your inbox with apps like SelfControl or to your internet entirely with Freedom.

Then schedule a time to check your email like it’s just any other task, immediately replying to, labeling, or filing each one, rather than letting them pile up.

If you use Gmail, use labels and filters to categorize and file regular email types automatically. An industry newsletter, for instance, you might not need to read immediately, so it’s OK to archive it before it hits your inbox, and you can read it at a later time.

You’ll be amazed how much more quickly you’ll process email when you do so in batches.

2) Learn to Say No to Coworkers Who Demand Your Time


Perhaps you run your blog with a partner, or maybe it’s guest posters and advertisers who demand a lot of your time. Whoever it is, being in business for yourself means learning how to say no.

That’s easier said than done at first because, most likely, you’ve grown your blog by saying yes to any opportunities that came your way. But now that you’ve got a good sense of what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing, and what does and does not work for your blog, don’t be afraid to turn things down, or to at least delay them to a later date when you might have more time.

If it helps, think of your time like an orange. There are only so many slices to give out, and when each piece is gone, there isn’t any getting it back. Do you want to spend your life-giving it away for free, or do you want to get something in return and have time for your family and yourself?

3) Set Specific Boundaries


All of that said, the most likely time thief is you. You can see it right in the term: when you work from home, it’s so hard to draw the boundaries between work and home.

Perhaps you regularly decide to clean out the tub to avoid doing the accounting. Maybe it’s “just sneaking in” another hour of work after the kids have gone to bed…and pushing back your bedtime by an hour, leading to a groggier tomorrow.

While it may be tempting and sometimes even helpful to blur those boundaries, it’s best to set a very specific schedule and stick to it. It may feel weird at first, but try building downtime into your schedule. It could be planning a lunch date with a friend or just a regular slot like “Chill Out Friday Afternoons” or “Do Something Special with the Kids Wednesday Evenings” that you can fill as you please.

The same goes for your physical space, too. Try to work in an office, not from the bed, and establish clear rules about the time of day family members can disturb you, so it’s not just open season on your time. You’ll be surprised at how accommodating and thankful the people you work and live with will be when you set and communicate those boundaries, rather than lashing out as you feel yourself losing control.

4) Let Go of the Desire for Perfection


Our culture has created a ridiculous idea about what it’s humanly possible for working moms to do. We’re supposed to be super successful at work and always be there for the kids with peanut butter cookies and do it all in heels. While walking backward. And singing. But the only people who can do that are hiding a secret…they’ve got extra help.

These days, you don’t have to be wealthy to get at least some of the same resources on your side. While asking relatives to babysit or help you cook is always an option, don’t be afraid to outsource domestic duties like housecleaning or work duties like data entry to someone online.

Virtual assistants are becoming increasingly trustworthy and popular options as well. If you’re worried about the expense, think of how much you can make in an hour if you’re working and compare that to the time cost for doing that chore.

If, say, you earn $50/hr, and you know it will take you three hours to clean the house, that’s $150 right there. How much would it be for a house cleaner? And for a little peace of mind.

5) Don’t Feel Guilty About Not Working


Yes, when it comes to your blog, it is all down to you. But that doesn’t mean that the blog is going to explode if you take a break once in a while – and we’re talking vacations here, too, not just sleeping at night.

If you need more justification, remember that taking breaks is rejuvenating, and you can only push yourself so hard before you need a recovery. Chances are, when you return to work on the blog; you’ll have more creative ideas than before you took your break.

Additionally, when you’re feeling drained, take a step back and evaluate all of the activities in your life for how much they give and how much they take. Have you outgrown anything? Is there something that used to give you more and now is just a mental drain?

Don’t be afraid to let go, even if you’ve committed to something, because your energy is like an orange, too. Save a slice or two for yourself.

Running your own blog is an exciting and stimulating adventure, and it’s an excellent means for independence, too. But if you are your brand, you have to keep that brand healthy and relaxed. So, close out of that email, kick back, and let go once in a while – for the blog’s sake.

Do you have good time management skills?

Home Jobs By Mom

Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.

Tweet
Pin
Share1
Share


Get the latest scoop on lifestyle + business tips, blogger opps, & giveaways to enter below!

* indicates required



Opt-In

Blogger Opps

Email Format

Powered by MailChimp

Home Jobs by Mom will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at krystle@homejobsbymom.com. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here.


Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Tips for Starting an Essay Writing Business

7 Tips for Starting an Essay Writing Business

5 Interesting Ways To Make Money Online

5 Interesting Ways To Make Money Online

How Virtual Mentoring Helps New Moms Transition Back Into Careers

How Virtual Mentoring Helps New Moms Transition Back Into Careers

5 Elements You Should Consider When Starting a Business

5 Elements You Should Consider When Starting a Business

What are the Different Types of Profitability Ratios Businesses Should Track_

Profitability Ratios Businesses Should Track

11 Tips for Starting Your Own Sewing Business

11 Tips for Starting Your Own Sewing Business

video editing

How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software

working at beach

How to Take Advantage of Working Remotely this Summer

craft birthday gifts

5 Awesome Money-Making Ideas for Moms

How To Start Your Floral Business From Home

How To Start Your Floral Business From Home

Home-based Cryptocurrency Trading for Beginners

Home-based Cryptocurrency Trading for Beginners

A Recent Spread of Ransomware Throughout Texas

Creating a Workspace That Will (Almost) Make You Want to Work

Previous Post: «4 Frequently Overlooked Ways You Can Keep Your Lawn Looking Pristine in Winter 4 Frequently Overlooked Ways You Can Keep Your Lawn Looking Pristine in Winter
Next Post: 11 Tips for Starting Your Own Sewing Business 11 Tips for Starting Your Own Sewing Business»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jo-Anne

    March 3, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    Great tips and advice, with my job there was never any down time I was on call 24/7 but then my job title was “mum” now it is “mum & nanna” but at least I do have some down time now days……….

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 7, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      I understand. I’m a stay at home mom. It’s never ending but amazing at the same time.

      Reply
  2. Susan Cooper

    March 6, 2013 at 1:00 am

    You are absolutely right when you say that having a blog is running your own business. It is so hard to balance work and home life. You have some wonderful tips. 🙂

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 7, 2013 at 12:23 pm

      It is like running a business depending on what your blogging goals are. I’m if you treat it like a business it would be more profitable for those that are trying to make money at it.

      Reply
  3. Susan Cooper

    March 6, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    Boy can I relate to all that you’ve said. I have been a bit overwhelmed of late, partly because of my own doing, party because of the normal life challenging and finding a balance between the two. I marvel at how you do it all so seamlessly, but then again looking outside in never really tells the whole story does it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm

      I’ve been super overwhelmed too. I recently lost my contracting job I loved and I was out of town. It’s hard to keep on top of all my online stuff when I am out of my routine.

      Reply
  4. Geek Girl

    March 6, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    Yeah, trying to be perfect. Been struggling with that one forever. 🙂

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 7, 2013 at 12:22 pm

      Oh, I could never be perfect. I know that but it is fun to pretend sometimes lol.

      Reply
  5. Morgan@Eat Right Newsletter

    March 6, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    I feel like writing a blog should be fun and exciting, if it is getting to the point where it is overly stressful or taking up too much of your time I agree it is time to step back and breathe for a little bit!

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 7, 2013 at 12:07 pm

      That is very true. You should always be doing something you love.

      Reply
  6. Hola BackGrinder

    March 6, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    One thing I would mention, running your blog as a business means handling sales and customer service, and while you don’t need to answer everything right this second you need to plan on checking e-mail often and giving fast, accurate responses to all business correspondence. I’ve been on both sides of this equation. Blogs are small affairs, and I can tell you from experience if a blogger blows off an e-mail from an ad buyer it can get them tagged as unprofessional, and possibly untrustworthy. Running your blog as a business means taking care of all aspects of the business.

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 7, 2013 at 12:06 pm

      Awesome tips! Thank you!!

      Reply
  7. Johnny@ Financial Freedom

    March 7, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    These tips couldn’t come at a better time. I often feel overwhelmed by my commitments. And it’s so true, you do have to save a slice or two of life for yourself because if you burnout or get sick, nothing is going to work out the way you wanted. So you have to be ok with taking time away from business tasks now for the greater good of all your interests.

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 8, 2013 at 9:38 am

      It never hurts to take a step back and see what needs the most attention 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kelly Wade

    March 7, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to try and balance work and life, when your work basically is your life. Blogging for those who use it as their main income source seems to be a 24/7 thing. Setting boundaries and treating it more like a job seems like the best way to manage it.

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 8, 2013 at 9:37 am

      I agree! I wish blogging was my main source of income especially since I just got laid off my contracting job.

      Reply
  9. Tommy Tan

    March 7, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    I find blogging very enjoyable. The only problem is managing the time to blog and my work life.

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 8, 2013 at 9:20 am

      I think it’s fun too. It’s all a juggling act I supposed whether you are dealing with a blog and kids/work or both.

      Reply
  10. Corinne

    March 7, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    I need to bookmark this page and reference it at least once a week! Every weekend I feel guilty for taking the weekends off from posting and daily I get frustrated with myself for getting sucked into working on the blog and having no free time left. Thanks for posting.

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 8, 2013 at 9:19 am

      I know what you mean. It’s an endless loop.

      Reply
  11. Jon Jefferson

    March 7, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    Time is the great equalizer. No matter what we all have only 24 hours in any given day. How we use those 24 hours will determine what we get from our lives. As you have pointed out, there are a good number of ways to use or lose our precious time.

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 8, 2013 at 9:18 am

      Very true. It just all about prioritizing really 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jeri

    March 8, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Thanks for putting things into perspective. In just over a year of blogging, I’m amazed how my attitudes have shifted. Trying to have a successful blog is certainly just like running a business. Hopefully I’m past the steepest part of the learning curve!

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 27, 2013 at 7:02 pm

      From what I can tell you have it all down pat. You are doing awesome!

      Reply
  13. Tanya

    March 13, 2013 at 7:35 am

    Great Article! Its very true that these are things that every blogger must face. Quite a few of them, I’m still learning to adapt to. I started seriously blogging about a year ago, and I never dreamed that it would turn into all that it has. Don’t get me wrong, I totally love it, but it really has been time consuming, so I’ve been trying to find ways to work smarter, not harder…so this post really helps me alot!

    Reply
    • Krystle

      March 27, 2013 at 7:06 pm

      I am all for working smarter and not harder too. Let me know if you find the secret to it 🙂

      Reply
  14. Ryan K Biddulph

    February 23, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    I dig this post Krystle. For me, it is about the concept of setting limits for myself and for how I blog. Limiting means targeting, optimizing and allowing the quality and depth of your work to promote itself a bit, as you hop offline to enjoy life away from blogging. Works wonders for your peace of mind.

    Ryan

    Reply
    • Home Jobs By Mom

      February 26, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      That’s great you know how to set your blogging limits!

      Reply
  15. megan allen

    March 1, 2021 at 9:46 am

    You always give great advice! Something I always have trouble with is saying no!

    Reply
    • Home Jobs By Mom

      March 2, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      Blogging takes up a lot of time and so I have a hard time saying no too. I feel bad but sometimes it has to be done for your own sanity.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Get a look into a mom's inkling into this crazy thing called life.
Read More…

Giveaways to Enter

AUVON 4 Outputs TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator Machine
.
auvon24 Days Left
Superior Source Vitamins Prize Pack
.
Help-Support-Your-Well-Being-Giveaway-800x80019 Days Left
Hero Dog The Journey Home DVD
.
Hero-Dog-The-Journey-Home-DVD-Giveaway-1-800x80016 Days Left
Me Time Gift Set
.
Have-Some-Me-Time-Giveaway-800x80018 Days Left
Spring Grand Prize packages
.
games21 Days Left
Care Crate March Madness Munchies Movie Night” snack box
.
snacks18 Days Left
The Legend Of Korra Limited Edition Steelbook
.
SMGN-SmallerGiveaway-LegenofKorra-Giveaway24 Days Left
Lugz Women Boots
.
Lugz-Women-Boots-Giveaway-800x80015 Days Left
Game Day Score Boards
.
Game-Day-Score-Boards-Giveaway-800x80011 Days Left
Aveline Beauty Bundle
.
Aveline-Beauty-Bundle-Giveaway-800x80012 Days Left
winning moves games prize pack
.
Winning-Moves-Spring-Fun-Giveaway-800x80010 Days Left
Snocca Nails
.
Snocca-Nails-Giveaway-800x8009 Days Left
Ambush Mosquito Trap ($150 RV) PLUS a 6 Pack Of Lures
.
SMGN-2021SpringGiftGuide-AmbushMosquitoTrap-Giveawaysmallerversion24 Days Left
any size and color set of PeachSkinSheets
.
SMGN-SpringGiftGuide2021-PSS-smallerversionGIVEAWAY24 Days Left
Choice of DaVici Wood Puzzle
.
DaVici-Wood-Puzzles-Giveaway-800x8008 Days Left
Nooie Outdoor Security Camera
.
Nooie Outdoor Camera23 Days Left
$50 Amazon Gift Code
.
amazon cash giveaway23 Days Left
20-ounce bottle of Naked Collagen
.
SMGN-2021SpringGiftGuideGiveaway-NakedCollagenSMALLVERSION21 Days Left
FLOWS Premium Audio Sunglasses
.
16 Days Left
household needs bundle
.
Household-Needs-Giveaway-800x8005 Days Left
Teach My Toddler Learning Kit
.
Teaching-Your-Toddler-Giveaway4 Days Left
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
.
Clearly-Filtered-Filtered-Water-Pitcher-Giveaway3 Days Left
COOLAGN Body Scrubber
.
COOLAGN Body Scrubber23 Days Left
.
spring gift guide

Recent Posts

auvon

AUVON 4 Outputs TENS Giveaway (Ends 3/31) @deliciouslysavv

AUVON 4 Outputs TENS Giveaway (Ends 3/31) @deliciouslysavv
Help-Support-Your-Well-Being-Giveaway-800x800

Help Support Your Well-Being Giveaway (Ends 3/26) @SuperiorSource @las930

Help Support Your Well-Being Giveaway (Ends 3/26) @SuperiorSource @las930
Hero-Dog-The-Journey-Home-DVD-Giveaway-1-800x800

Hero Dog The Journey Home DVD Giveaway (Ends 3/23)

Hero Dog The Journey Home DVD Giveaway (Ends 3/23)
Have-Some-Me-Time-Giveaway-800x800

Have Some Me Time Giveaway (Ends 3/25)

Have Some Me Time Giveaway (Ends 3/25)
games

2021 Spring Grand Prize Giveaway (Ends 3/28) @las930

2021 Spring Grand Prize Giveaway (Ends 3/28) @las930
snacks

March Madness Munchies Movie Night Giveaway (Ends 3/25) @las930

March Madness Munchies Movie Night Giveaway (Ends 3/25) @las930

Footer

Free Download

Productivity-Planner-Preview“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Download the FREE Colorable Productivity Planner to get your life more organized. Sign up as a newsletter insider today!

Be A Better You

Giveaways

auvonAUVON 4 Outputs TENS Giveaway (Ends 3/31) @deliciouslysavv
Help-Support-Your-Well-Being-Giveaway-800x800Help Support Your Well-Being Giveaway (Ends 3/26) @SuperiorSource @las930
Hero-Dog-The-Journey-Home-DVD-Giveaway-1-800x800Hero Dog The Journey Home DVD Giveaway (Ends 3/23)
Have-Some-Me-Time-Giveaway-800x800Have Some Me Time Giveaway (Ends 3/25)
games2021 Spring Grand Prize Giveaway (Ends 3/28) @las930
snacksMarch Madness Munchies Movie Night Giveaway (Ends 3/25) @las930
  • About Home Jobs By Mom
  • Terms & Privacy
  • Networks & Affiliations
  • Work With Us
  • Contact

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 Home Jobs by MOM · All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT