Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? Every project and errand that needs to be done spirals into an enormous mountain that buries your hopes for a productive day? If this cycle is all-too familiar, I have good news: becoming a more productive mom doesn’t have to mean existing without sleep. By learning simple tips and strategies to enhance your productivity, you can find joy in managing the chaos of everyday life!
mom’s Have a Lot to Do!
Being a mom is tough and often times, it’s difficult to juggle all of the responsibilities that come along with it. Laundry, cleaning, parent teacher conferences, making meals, and even doctor’s appointments can keep us so busy! Whether you’re managing a career or taking care of children full-time, prioritizing tasks can be overwhelming and stressful.
Ideas for being more productive
Being productive doesn’t mean putting in more hours or working until you drop. In fact, it’s all about making the most of your time by being more efficient and organized. Here are some tips to help you get started on becoming a productive mom:
Make a list
Then, break down your day into manageable tasks and prioritize them according to importance. The goal is to focus on one task at a time and cross it off your list as you go. Writing things into a list also helps me to get it all out of my brain so I can stop stressing and worrying about it. Bonus points if you do this the day before! I find it helpful to write everything in my planner. This one is beautiful!
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Take breaks
Everyone needs some time away from their duties to clear their head and rest. Taking regular breaks can help you stay fresh and focused throughout the day.
Set boundaries and Say “No”
Make sure that you have enough time for yourself and don’t let anyone or anything take it away from you. Only agree to tasks that fit within your allotted time, and delegate when necessary. Say no when you need to.
Reward yourself for your hard work
Celebrate small achievements along the way, as this will help keep you motivated and focused on your goals. Even a small reward like a 20 minute nap or reading one chapter in your favorite book can be a great reward for hard work accomplished.
Set achievable goals for yourself
Establish short-term and long-term goals, as this will allow you to easily monitor your progress over time. I tend to set these over-the-top goals for myself that stress me out and make me feel defeated. Choose goals that inspire you, but are achievable.
Get rid of distractions
It’s so easy to let Instagram or other social media pull you away from your to-do list. When you really want to get things done, get rid of your distractions and focus on the task at hand.
Create routines and stick to them
Routines help create a sense of order and makes it easier to get things done. A simple morning and evening routine will help your whole family be more on top of it!
Pre-plan meals
How many times have you forgotten to plan a meal, only to hit the drive through on the way home. It’s difficult, sometimes impossible to make good decisions about meals in the moment. Save yourself money and time by pre-planning.
Get up earlier
Unless you are nursing a baby or spending a lot of time getting up with kids, rising early can be a great way to squeeze in some extra productivity time. Of course, if you are in a season lack of sleep, keep resting. But when the opportunity comes, think of mornings as a great way to get a few things done.
Connect with other moms
Sharing your experiences with other moms can help you feel less alone and even come up with new ideas for improving your own productivity. Not to mention you’ll feel better.
Get ready for the day
Taking just a few minutes to get ready in the morning can help you feel more productive throughout the day. So get out of your pajamas! Take a shower. Do your hair. Whatever helps you feel alive will help you to also feel more productive.
Combine your errands whenever you can
Complete as many errands in one trip as you can to save time. It’ll also save gas money and mental energy!
Have a weekly check-in with yourself
Take some time every week, whether it’s 30 minutes or an hour, to review how productive you’ve been and what areas could use improvement. This will help ensure that you are staying on track and allow you to adjust your strategy as needed.
Make time for your partner
In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s so easy to neglect the most important relationships you have. Taking the time for your partner is important. And you don’t need full evenings (kid-free) to connect with your partner. Eat lunch together if you can. Send each other text messages throughout the day. Plan a few minutes of togetherness before bed.
Be realistic
Don’t overcommit to tasks and remember that it’s ok to take a break when needed. Being able to recognize when something isn’t feasible or isn’t necessary will help keep both you and your family productive.
Do a little every day
For example, laundry is something you can break up into small chunks and do a bit at a time. That can feel so much more manageable than trying to do a whole day of laundry at once.
Determine when is the best time for certain tasks
Whether it’s in the morning or night, determine what works best for you and schedule accordingly. I know that for me, I can’t do anything with major mental energy early in the morning. My brain isn’t awake enough yet! Other’s can’t do high energy stuff at night. Know yourself and your productive times.
Find an accountability partner
Having someone to hold you accountable for your tasks can be a great way to stay productive and reach your goals. They will also serve as a great cheerleader when you need a little encouragement!
Ask for help from your partner or family
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Delegating some tasks to others can free up your time and energy so that you can focus on other things.
Teach your kids how to do chores (and expect them to do them)
Teaching your kids how to do chores can help free up some time for yourself and also teach them valuable lessons about responsibility.
Need ideas for kids chores? Read: The Best Chores for Kids
Automate what you can
Taking advantage of technology and automation tools can help you save time on mundane tasks so that you can focus on more important things. So automate your bills, make grocery orders easy with online orders, etc.
Prioritize self-care
Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your work. Make sure to schedule in time for naps, hobbies, and outdoor activities to help keep you energized and productive.
Institute quiet time with your kids
Establishing a regular quiet time with your kids can help keep them occupied and out of the way while you work. When your kids are younger this quiet time will naturally happen during naps. As they get older, hold that time as time for you. They can play in their bedrooms or read books.
Break projects into smaller tasks
Breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks can make them seem much more doable and help make sure that you are staying on track.
Let your kids be bored
Giving your kids the opportunity to be a little bored and independent can help them become more creative and self-reliant. This will also free up some time for you to focus on your work.
Lean in to the crazy
Embrace the chaos and let go of the perfectionism. Perfection isn’t possible, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get everything right all the time.
Make it fun
The best way to get things done, is to enhance what your are doing with fun. Light a nice candle, listen to some music or take a break in the sun. Anything that will make you happy and motivated is essential when it comes to working in a productive way.
Staying productive while managing all of life’s demands can be a challenge. But by implementing some of these tips, you can make sure that you are staying on track and making the most of your time. Taking some time to focus on self-care, setting achievable goals, and planning ahead will help keep you motivated and productive in the long run. Good luck!
