The first month with a newborn can be overwhelming for any parent, especially for entrepreneurs who are juggling the demands of a growing business and the responsibilities of caring for a new baby.
In this article, I'll share some of the things I did that you can apply on how I survived the first month with my baby and my business!
1. Simplify
One of the first things I did was to simplify my business. I got rid of projects that took up a lot of time for little return, focusing on the most important tasks that would have the biggest impact on my business. I also made sure to finish all the projects I could before the birth of my baby, so I wouldn't have any looming deadlines hanging over my head.
2. Set business priorities
With limited time and energy, it's important to prioritize your tasks. I created four priorities for my business: 1- Business maintenance (emails, calls, etc.), 2- Basic marketing (newsletter, social media) 3- Other marketing tasks (semi-monthly newsletter, etc.) 4- Business development (contacting new clients, website, setting up new client acquisition channels, etc.). By focusing on the most important tasks first, I was able to get the most out of my limited time and energy.
3. Automate processes
To save time and reduce the burden on my already stretched schedule, I automated as many processes as possible using tools like MixMax (email templates) and Trello. By setting up rules and using board buttons that would automatically create cards saved as templates, I was able to streamline my workflow and save time on repetitive tasks.
4. Clean and sell
Before the birth of my baby, I took the time to clean and declutter my house and organize my basement. I gave away clothes and sold gear and objects that I wasn't using anymore, creating both mental and physical space.
5. Leverage resources
To make life a little easier, we had food delivered at the hospital and groceries delivered every week at home. We also hired someone to clean our house twice a week and took full advantage of our freedom as freelancers by taking a nap after lunch every day when the baby was here.
6. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for any new parent, and it's especially important for entrepreneurs who are trying to balance their business and parenting responsibilities. We made sure to get as much rest as possible, taking full advantage of our freedom as freelancers to take a nap after lunch every day when the baby was here.
7. Ask for help
Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. We asked each visitor at home (friends and family) to bring a home-cooked meal, and we asked my mother to help when I was away for a keynote at the end of the month (once we felt comfortable).
Asking for help doesn't make you any less of a parent or a business owner – it just means you're smart enough to know when you need a little extra support.
Surviving the first month with a newborn and a business is no easy feat, but with some careful planning and a little help from others, it is possible. By simplifying my business, setting clear priorities, automating processes, cleaning and selling unnecessary items, leveraging resources, trying to get as much sleep as possible, and asking for help when needed, I was able to manage the demands of both my baby and my business and come out the other side a little wiser and a little more resilient.