Four-Hour Week Works Great for 'Mompreneurs'

Written by Lisa Druxman

The No. 1 question I get asked is, how do I balance work and motherhood? But aren't we really asking how can we find the time to do it all? Most mom entrepreneurs love working and could work endlessly if it weren't for the desire to care for their children, spouse, home -- the list goes on forever.

To find more time for all of us, I just finished reading the 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris. At first, the concept seemed so unbelievable that I almost discounted it. But then my curiosity drew me back. Maybe he was on to something: He chooses a modified work week so he can "live the life," whereas I need a shorter work week so I can spend more time being a mom. To do this, Ferris talks about everything from outsourcing to mini-retirements as well as these tips that apply to mom entrepreneurs:

1. Go on a diet -- a low information diet. We're bombarded with so much information every day that we're constantly swimming to get through it all. So cut it back -- way back. Toss catalogues and junk mail without feeling the need to read through them.

2. Be an email ninja. It seems like email has become our No. 1 time sucker. It's hard to step away because we have such a need to see an empty inbox. But stop that right now. You can't get anything done if you're drowning in email, so make sure you:

• Delete email jokes and chain letters.

• Use a spam filter.

• Set up auto emails with FAQs so they can get some answers on their own.

• Be brief.

• Choose one set time for email and then walk away. If you keep responding to people, they'll keep responding back and the conversations don't end. No one should expect to hear from you in less than 24 hours.

3. Batch your work. Most of us juggle motherhood, email, phone calls, mail, filing, etc. all at the same time. The 4-Hour Work Week teaches you to batch your work for better efficiency. Choose certain times for email, certain times for phone calls, etc. Instead of trying to write an email while entertaining your toddler at your side, play with your child. Give him or her your full attention. Then, when he goes to sleep or daddy gets home, you can write that email in two minutes vs. the 20 minutes it would have taken you during the baby juggle.