I love sharing with you. I want you to know this page may have affiliate links, this means I may get a small commission when you purchase through the link. You can read the full disclosure here.
I think everyone will agree being a mum means being busy! But being busy does not mean you are being productive.
There have been days I have been going non-stop! From early morning and the last to sleep. Washing clothes, dishes, the floor, cleaning the living room, cooking the food, taking the children to their classes. The list is endless. But somehow, as I look after, it seems like I haven’t done much. What did I achieve and why was my to-do list still untouched?
I realised I was spending so much time being busy, but not being productive.
Keep reading to learn 7 ways you can be productive and get more done, in less time.
How can mums be less busy and more productive?
1. Plan what you need to do in advance
Many times we plan to do things without thinking about when or where.
Planning actually requires some thought. When would be the best time for me to look at my emails?
When would be the best time to make those important phone calls, or clean the house. If we want to accomplish something, we are more likely to do it when we know when and where.
E.g I will iron the clothes in my room at 12.30pm every day after lunch for 20 minutes.
2. Focus on just 1% a day
The problem we can sometimes have is, we try to do everything in one day, focus on more than one item on our to-do list, thinking that we will get through our list quicker. Only to find that we have 5 items half done, but nothing completed.
Instead of trying to do 5 things at once, focus on starting and completing one thing each day. 1% every day makes a huge difference over the year.
E.g instead of saying I am going to spring clean downstairs, change it to I am going to declutter the book shelf
3. Remove distractions & don’t be afraid to say no
I know as mums we have such kinds hearts, and it is so challenging to say no sometimes. But you have to remember,
- Every time you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else.
- Your yes today will take up your time tomorrow
Productive people know when to say yes and when to say no.
It is about protecting your limited resource, which is time. What are your goals, your family’s goals. What do you need to achieve? Is there really space and time for you to take on anymore without feeling completely overwhelmed and burnt out?
4. Have a great morning routine
“Start how you mean to go on”
Starting your day right has a huge impact on how you perform during the day.
With a great mentality, high energy, spiritually guided you will be able to accomplish much more than the worn out, burnt out, fed up Mama.
Create a morning routine that will help you to be physically strong, emotionally strong and spiritually strong.
E.g workout first thing in the morning, followed by devotion and meditation in the quiet before the children wake. A large glass of water, before you sit down to do an hour of focused work.
Your morning routine will be a game changer to how you deal with your children, your mood and productivity throughout the day.
5. Start with what is most important to be more productive
It is so easy to get caught up doing the little jobs that make no real impact on your goals, achievements or desires. Focus on what you need to do to make an impact for the day.
What is most important? What requires the most brain power? While you are still sane and not tired from a long day with the children and house chores, complete the most pressing task. You will be glad you did.
E.g Preparing for homeschool for the week before checking your emails, instagram or even folding the clothes.
6. Learn to delegate
You don’t have to be a martyr!
I feel like I always say this to mums. We don’t have to do it all. We weren’t meant to do it all. It is ok to delegate.
What can you ask someone else to do for you so you can focus on what is most important for that day?
What resources can you use to help to save time so you can do other things?
E.g investing in a steam iron can save hours a week ironing as it is so much faster. This means you will have more time to work on your goals and your family’s goals.
7. Have a set time for everything
Instead of doing bits and bobs here and there, name your time and stick to it. Be specific about what you will do in that time, and how long you will do that particular activity for.
Why is this so powerful? Because as mums we have a million and one tasks in our head that we know we need to complete, and sometimes this means we can’t focus on the task at hand.
If you know there is a set time to answer your emails, you will be able to focus more on the task at hand because you know there is a set time to get round to your emails.
E.g Focused activity with Sally at 10-11am, check emails at 12-12.30 during Sally’s nap time.
Conclusion of being a productive mum
Being productive is a state of mind. It is being aware of what you are doing, how long you are doing it for and effective in your tasks.
Being productive doesn’t mean you do everything yourself, being productive is being wise with what you can do, when the best time is to do it and being consistent and focused throughout.
Motherhood can be this really challenging, but remember 1% each day may not seem like much on any given day, but when you look back a year from now, you will be amazed at how much you have accomplished.
So my question to you today Mama is, have you been busy or productive?