Makers vs. Managers – Which One Are You?
Have you ever sat down and wondered what type of “homemaker” that you truly are? It can be hard to step outside yourself and look in, but it’s important to be able to understand your personality type. The more that you can associate your type with, the easier you will find ways to be productive in your day. Are you a manager or maker in your home? And depending on your choice, do you know how to be the most productive and effective you can be?
I first heard the concept of Managers vs. Makers at a conference for bloggers several years ago. And while the theory or idea of Managers vs. Makers is usually discussed in business settings, it can absolutely apply to homemakers as well!
Understanding the difference between Managers and Makers is just one simple way that you can help identify who you are, how you function the best, and what steps you can take to be the best “you” that you can be!
Being a maker essentially means that you “make” things happen. As a mom, homemaker or businesswoman, this can mean a variety of things. As a mom, being a maker can be a never-ending list! You can “make the household run functionally and smoothly, make and keep schedules or just make certain that your family is taken care of”. As a homemaker, the same applies as well and in the business world, being a maker can mean that you are the employee that takes and makes the company visions and goals come true.
Being a maker is great and without makers in the world, there would be so many different ideas and thoughts that would never come to fruition.
Now, let’s talk about managers. The thought that probably instantly comes to your mind as a manager is in the business world where you have control over managing others and their work performance. While this is true for businesswomen, it’s also true for moms and homemakers as well!
Just think about how many things that you “manage” in your own home! You manage the daily schedule and flow, you manage yourself and your children, if you homeschool, you manage your child’s learning and curriculum and somehow, each and every day you manage to get everything done to the best of your ability.
Whew! Being a manager is a hard gig as well! In order to have the best time management for yourself and your skills, it’s important to understand how you can utilize your strengths as either a maker or a manager.
How to Schedule your Day as a Maker
Being a maker often means that you are creative and like to have long periods of concentration. In order to “make” things happen, you don’t need to be interrupted, right?
- As a maker, consider using block scheduling as a way to schedule your day.
Block scheduling not only allows you to block off long periods of time for your day, but it allows a little bit of flexibility as well just in case things suddenly pop up. It’s been said that for “makers” to really get value out of their time and thoughts/creations, it can take upwards of 30 minutes to really get in the flow of constant thoughts and making things happen. Block scheduling can help make that happen!
I’m a maker for sure. That’s why I feel like I can’t accomplish much if I have appointments that break up my day. That’s why I schedule ALL appointments for very first thing in the morning {despite the fact that it often means leaving the house at 5 or 6 am because we have to drive so far}.
I can get my appointments out of the way – whether its a visit to the doctor, orthodontist, horse farrier, or any other appointment – and be done – Then, I can get on with making the rest of the day happen.
How to Schedule your Day as a Manager
A manager’s schedule is a little bit more choppy because managers are the ones that have to address anything that happens or put out any fires. Typically, managers get pulled away from their own tasks at hand several times per day so scheduling your day as a manager can be a little more difficult.
- As a manager, it doesn’t ruin your day to have an appointment right in the middle of the afternoon. Managers are happy with a schedule or appointment book that tells them what to do next.
Look at scheduling your day in hour increments or less so that it gives you the flexibility to help out and manage other areas that may need your assistance! That way, you can address whatever needs to be addressed, manage it and then get back to your other tasks that are waiting.
Decide if you are a maker or a manager, and then use the suggested time management methods above and see how well they work for you! You may find that be identifying your role, your time management techniques will improve as well!
Questions:
- Are you a manager or a maker?
- Did the idea of managers vs. maker help you understand how your brain works with your schedule or routine?
- What changes might help you plan your schedule better knowing what you know now?