Not everyone has long stretches of quiet time to work on a business – especially when you have little ones at home. The truth is, you can make surprising progress in short, focused bursts (like during nap time or after bedtime). Here’s how to maximize those small windows of time and keep your business moving forward:
Break Projects into Bite-Size Tasks – Large tasks can feel impossible to tackle when you only have 30 minutes here or an hour there. The trick is to chop them into smaller pieces. Write down the steps for what you want to accomplish, no matter how small. For example, “build a website” becomes steps like “choose a website name,” “pick a template design,” “write an About Me blurb.” When you get a short window (say, a 45-minute nap), you can grab one sub-task and get it done. Each tiny win adds up.
Keep Tools and Lists Handy – Be ready to work when time pops up. Keep a running to-do list of quick tasks (things you can do in 10-20 minutes). That might include sending an email, jotting down blog ideas, or drafting a product description. Use apps on your phone to work on the go – you could write a newsletter draft on your phone while waiting in the school pickup line. Cloud-based tools (like Google Docs or note-taking apps) let you start something on your phone and finish on your laptop later. By having your work materials organized and accessible, you won’t waste precious minutes figuring out what to do.
Schedule (and Protect) Micro-Work Sessions – Look at your daily routine and identify pockets of time you can consistently claim for your business. It might be the 30 minutes after the kids go to bed, or the early morning before everyone wakes up. Treat these like actual appointments. If it’s “nap time = work time,” then when nap starts, you dive straight into a priority task from your list. Let family know these times are your focus moments. Consistency turns these small bursts into a habit, and you’ll be amazed at how much you accomplish each week.
Stay Flexible and Forgive Yourself – Life with kids is unpredictable. Some days the nap is cut short or you’re just too exhausted to be productive – and that’s OK. The beauty of short bursts is you can always try again next time. Don’t beat yourself up if a day doesn’t go as planned. Use what time you did get productively, and then pick up where you left off tomorrow. Building a business in the margins of motherhood requires accepting imperfection. Progress is progress, no matter how small.
Takeaway: You don’t need five free hours a day to be a successful entrepreneur. By cleverly using the small pockets of time you do have, you can move your business forward bit by bit. Plan small, act fast, and be kind to yourself in the process. Eventually, those little bursts of effort will snowball into something big.
I hope you found today’s newsletter helpful and encouraging. Remember, the journey to that extra $500–$2,000/month is made of small steps – try a tip or two from above, celebrate each win (no matter how small), and keep going! You’ve got this, and I’m here cheering you on. Until next time, stay awesome! 👏💗
Gabi Hirina
https://beacons.ai/gabihirina
Ready to Build Multiple Income Streams? Discover Digital Wealth Academy 2.0 Now!
Disclaimer: Please note there are affiliate links contained within this email. If you choose to purchase any products through my recommendation, I will receive a percentage of the sale. I only promote products that I personally know, use, love and trust. I take finding the best products on the market very seriously and will not promote a product that is not in line with my values. This is not a way to get rich quick. Results are my own and will vary from person to person.