Time is a precious commodity, especially for busy moms.  It’s essential for us to use our time wisely and maximize productivity in order to get the most out of each day. One way to do this is by prioritizing tasks throughout the day, organizing yourself, delegating when possible, eliminating distractions, and taking regular breaks. This can help create an effective strategy that works best for you and free up more time in your day.

Prioritizing tasks

This is a great way to save time during the day. Taking the time to review your daily to-do list and determine which tasks are most important can help you focus on the essential items first. This can be especially helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed with how much you have to do. Additionally, if a particular task is taking up too much time and not adding any value, consider eliminating it from your list.  Personally, I like to write out my tasks for the day.  I try to be realistic with how much I think I can reasonably accomplish in a day.  Nothing feels better than crossing tasks off a list.   By not over-stretching myself, I can also allow myself some down-time.  I often find there are tasks that aren’t time sensitive, and I can push them to a different day.  My to-do list is constantly being re-arranged and triaged.

Creating an organized system

This could mean establishing a schedule or calendar where you dedicate certain blocks of time to specific activities and tasks. This will ensure that the most important items on your list are completed first and that any distractions are minimized.  Plowing through a long list all-day long is not likely to be productive.  The human body and mind are not constructed for this approach to life.  Some online tasks can be accomplished on your cell phone while waiting in line at the grocery store.  Phone calls can often be knocked out on speaker phone while driving the car, provided you aren’t the type to get too distracted while driving.  There are definitely times when I know I need to step away from my to-do list and focus on myself.  To get the blood flowing to my brain for the day, I like to spend an hour at the gym in the morning.   During these workout sessions, I put my phone on silent mode so that phone calls and text messages don’t distract me from enjoying my private time.  Busy moms give up so much of themselves to others that it is important they take care of themselves.  Scheduling this alone-time into a day is absolutely essential for allowing maximum productivity during other parts of the day.

Managing our time

When it comes to managing our time, delegating when possible can be helpful in freeing up more of our time so that we can focus on essential tasks. Asking a colleague or family member for help with certain tasks can be beneficial in taking some of the burden off yourself and getting more done throughout the day.  If you are a helper, give others the chance to help you.  It’s a gift!  Grandparents love to spend time with our children, so why not allow them to help with picking the children up from school or taking them to appointments?  Even if your schedule is jam-packed with career obligations, sharing after-school care with another family can be a win-win.  Allowing your children to bring friends over after school is important for their social development, it allows you to build relationships with other moms, and it’s a wonderful give-and-take scenario that will pay dividends when you need a shoulder to lean on.  Children need friends, but so do moms.

Eliminating distractions

Another way to maximize productivity is by eliminating distractions as much as possible. This includes anything that may be taking up your time but not adding any value, such as checking emails or browsing the internet unnecessarily. Eliminating these types of activities can help you focus on the most important tasks and make the most out of your day.  Noise is a distraction for me.  When my family is out of the house, I turn off any noise makers, such as the television, and I can dial my focus into the tasks in front of me.  My messy house can also distract me.  Working in a chaotic environment is a challenge, so there are times that I pack up my laptop and vacate my house altogether.   The public library or a quiet coffee shop can be great locations for productive work assignments.

Regular breaks

Finally, taking regular breaks throughout the day is essential to staying productive and focused. Taking a few minutes to relax and recharge can help you refocus so that you are able to tackle your tasks with a clear head. Additionally, taking brief breaks can help prevent burnout and ensure that you are able to stay focused.  Personally, I use breaks as little rewards as I accomplish tasks on my list.  I’m sure everyone has a different idea of what they prefer to do to relax.  For me, I like to catch up on Netflix shows or sneak outside for a walk with my dog.

By implementing these tips into your daily routine, you can create a strategy that works best for you and free up more time in your day. Prioritizing tasks, organizing yourself, delegating when possible, eliminating distractions, and taking regular breaks can help you maximize your productivity and get the most out of each day. 

Laura D