Another 30yo with 2 kids reporting in - Unfortunately I don't think that there are any easy answers. Sure you can tweak your schedule (work on the train!) and there are always a few things you can cut (Turn off the TV!). However increasingly I'm accept two things:
1 - Whatever is happening, just go with it. Sometimes the kids are going to be sick, or its a great day for playing, or your in a super productive space with your business. I've found that I really just need to allow myself permission to do what needs doing at the moment, without feeling guilty about what I had planned to be doing.
2 - All those super important things you HAVE to finish. It probably won't matter if they don't get done. E-mails left un-answered. Dishes left in the sink. After a few years of this, I'm starting to realise that the world doesn't actually come to a screaming halt. I think the true trick is realising what is really important and what you can leave out for later.
It's funny but I think having kids has taught me these two things, which should apply very well to the startup world. It's kind of ironic that the 'stereotypical' startup founder is young, without kids. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from children, and I think the maturity that has come with having kids has been a great help for me.
1 - Whatever is happening, just go with it. Sometimes the kids are going to be sick, or its a great day for playing, or your in a super productive space with your business. I've found that I really just need to allow myself permission to do what needs doing at the moment, without feeling guilty about what I had planned to be doing.
2 - All those super important things you HAVE to finish. It probably won't matter if they don't get done. E-mails left un-answered. Dishes left in the sink. After a few years of this, I'm starting to realise that the world doesn't actually come to a screaming halt. I think the true trick is realising what is really important and what you can leave out for later.
It's funny but I think having kids has taught me these two things, which should apply very well to the startup world. It's kind of ironic that the 'stereotypical' startup founder is young, without kids. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from children, and I think the maturity that has come with having kids has been a great help for me.