Ultimate Guide to Being a Productive Working Mom in 2024

Imagine this: It’s 5:00 AM, and your alarm buzzes you awake. Okay, I am a morning person so my alarm buzzes at 5, but say yours does at 6.

You scramble to get the kids ready for school, juggle breakfast and prepare for your workday, all before the all-hands department meeting at 9:00 AM.

As a working mom, balancing demands of a career, caregiving responsibilities, household chores and desire to spend quality time with yourself or your loved ones can often feel overwhelming. Overwhelming because despite massive strides in education and workforce participation, women still get saddled with an unfair share of caregiving and household chores.

The easiest option is to exit the workplace but that’s not really an option, is it?

Because financial independence is critical to a happy and fulfilling life. So we need to take the next best option. Balance both professional and personal commitments with panache.

However, as any working woman knows, that’s easier said that done. And adding a kid or two to the mix muddles up the stew further.

As a working mom of two, I have coped with this by implementing any and every productivity hack I came across or thought of. After 17 years of being a mom, 20 years of a married woman and 12 years as a full time freelancer, I can help you master productivity techniques that will enable you to be in full control of your time and help lead a more balanced, fulfilling life.

In this ultimate guide, we will explore practical, actionable advice to help working moms like you enhance productivity, manage time more efficiently and achieve a work-life-selfcare balance. Yes, we cannot put “productivity tricks” in a silo. It has to become a part of your life, a way of living, so much so that it encompasses every aspect of your life.

You cannot be productive in professional life but a lazy bum at home. Or vice versa. It does not work like that. You need to change your mindset, habits, approach and more.

Remember, the advice I dole out is based on my personal experiences as well as those of other working moms I know. So I will be sharing what works, more than others, most of the time.

Now, this guide is 7k+ words. If you would rather have a more concise version that still helps you get started, you can read this blog I wrote some time back:

Time Management for Working Moms: Efficient Strategies for a Balanced Life

As I mentioned just now, being productive is not only about time management. It’s a way of life in which you move towards satisfaction with where you are in your personal as well as professional lives. You are not making adjustments (I don’t use sacrifices because that has such negative implications) not because you have to but because you choose to.

That’s why we will be approaching productivity from multiple fronts:

1. Embracing 2-3 time management techniques to start with
2. Creating and sticking to daily routines that work
3. Asking for help before going gets tough
4. Making self-care a daily habit
5. Balancing work and life
6. Enhancing productivity with technology
7. Setting up productive home offices
8. Be prepared for emergencies and unplanned events

If you are still with me, let’s dive in.

Mastering Time Management

If you have been at time management for any length of time, or researched about it, you know every person swears by a different set of techniques.

When I transitioned from my full time teaching job, embracing freelance lifestyle to be with my infant daughter, I tried and tested most of them. Because the ones I had used as a full timer were no longer working as well as I wanted to.

After more than two decades of practicing time management, I find that these three time management techniques are the most helpful.

Eat the Frog: Tackle Your Toughest Tasks First

One of the most effective ways to enhance productivity is by tackling your toughest tasks first. Even if doing them is a challenge. This approach was popularized by Brian Tracy as the “Eat That Frog” method. It involves identifying and prioritizing your most important tasks and addressing them at the start of your day when your energy and focus levels are highest.

Here’s how you can implement this strategy in three simple steps:

1. Identify Your Key Tasks: Begin by listing all your tasks for the day. As a working mom, you should get into the habit of listing both personal and professional tasks together. We typically tend to ignore the personal tasks, which creates troubles for us and our loved ones later on. Before you say how you can list personal and professional tasks together, answer this: what is more important – attending your kids graduation ceremony or your company‘s board meeting important?
2. Prioritize: Rank these tasks in order of importance. Focus on the task that you dread the most or that requires the most effort and concentration.
3. Conquer the Hardest Task First: Dive into the toughest task first thing in the morning; trick is not to just kiss the frog but eat it. Completing this task early can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to tackle the rest of your day with confidence.

Implementing this strategy not only boosts productivity but also reduces procrastination and stress, setting a positive tone for the rest of your day. Once you have the toughest task out of way, the rest of the day will become miraculously easy.

Maximize Your Day with Time Blocking

Time blocking is a powerful technique that can help you manage your day more effectively. Divide your schedule into dedicated time blocks for specific activities. The time blocks should typically be 90 minutes or longer.

Here’s how to make the most of time blocking:

1. Plan Your Day: At the beginning of each day, or the night before, plan out your day by assigning specific tasks to specific time slots.
2. Create Focused Work Blocks: Allocate uninterrupted blocks of time for focused work. For example, set aside 9 AM to 11 AM for project work without any distractions.
3. Include Breaks: Schedule short breaks between blocks to recharge. This can help maintain high levels of productivity and prevent burnout.
4. Follow a Schedule: Here’s an example of a time-blocked day:
   • 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM: Morning Routine
   • 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Get kids ready for school, breakfast
   • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Email and Planning
   • 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: All-hands meeting
   • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Focused Work
   • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch
   • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Meetings
   • 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Break
   • 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Email, Wrap-Up and Planning for Next Day

By sticking to a time-blocked schedule, you can ensure that each task gets the attention it deserves and that your day is structured efficiently.

Enhance Productivity by Batching Similar Tasks

Did you notice that I have put all the meetings together in one time block? It could be one meetings or multiple back to back meetings. And it could be meetings, reading emails, answering customer queries, purchasing house supplies or making telephone calls.

Batching similar tasks is a highly effective way to boost productivity. This method involves grouping similar tasks together and completing them in a single time block.

Switching between different types of tasks increases cognitive load and needs more effort. On the other hand, when you are doing similar tasks, you get in the flow and complete them quicker, with much less effort.

Here’s how to implement task batching:

1. Identify Similar Tasks: Look at your SuperList (for the uninitiated, SuperList is a comprehensive to-do list of both personal and professional tasks) and identify tasks that are similar in nature, such as responding to emails, making phone calls, buying stuff, paying bills or completing paperwork.
2. Create Task Groups: Group these similar tasks together. For example, batch all your email responses into one time block instead of responding to emails sporadically throughout the day. Or paying bills weekly rather than as and when they come up.
3. Schedule Task Batches: Allocate specific time blocks in your schedule for these task groups. For example, set aside 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon for email management. Every Saturday update your budget sheet with expenses. Send follow up emails on Wednesdays and Fridays.
4. Stick to the Plan: During these time blocks, focus solely on the tasks within the group. Do not look at any other task and stay dedicated to completing the batched tasks.

Batching tasks reduces the mental load of switching between different types of tasks and increases efficiency when you focus on one type of task at a time.

Extra Reading: A Quick Time Management Course

Creating Effective Daily Routines

Using any time management technique will improve your productivity. But there is a caveat. You cannot choose to be disciplined during a few hours of the day (when everything is prioritized, batched and scheduled!) and be the lazy bum you are for the rest of the day. Our brain doesn’t work that way.

You must have noticed that if someone is neat and organized, they are that way in both personal and professional spaces. If someone is in the habit of turning up on time, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a team meeting or high school meet-up; they will there in time.

That’s why, to get into the habit of using the time management techniques we discussed just now, you need to have at least some amount of discipline through the day.

Let’s see how you can start doing that.

Kickstart Your Day with Energizing Morning Routines

Starting your day with a structured morning routine sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. I start my day with walking, followed by journaling, which energizes me both physically and mentally. Then I look at my day’s tasks to prep for the day.

Here’s how you can also kickstart your morning with style:

• Hydration: Begin your day by drinking 1-2 glasses of water to hydrate your body.
• Exercise: Incorporate some form of physical activity, whether it’s a full workout or a quick stretch to boost your energy levels.
• Mindfulness: Spend a few minutes in meditation or mindfulness exercises to clear your mind and focus. Sitting for 5-10 minutes in a quiet environment with your thoughts prepares your mind to focus on your tasks throughout the day.
• Planning: Take time to review your day’s schedule, set priorities and outline your main tasks.

Creating a consistent morning routine helps establish a sense of order and prepares you mentally and physically for the day ahead.

Wind Down with Evening Rituals

Winding down your day with a calming evening routine is equally important for preparing for the next day as well as ensuring quality sleep. If you have small kids, make them a part of your routine. This can double up as some relaxed time spent together and they can pick up some good habits in the process.

Here’s how you can create an effective evening ritual:

• Prepare for the Next Day: The foundation for a successful day must be laid the evening before. Choose your outfit, prep morning meal and make a to-do list for the following day.
• Disconnect: Limit screen time an hour or two before bed to reduce exposure to blue light. which can disrupt sleep.
• Relaxation Techniques: Engage in relaxing activities such as reading, taking a warm bath or practicing gentle yoga. Don’t read anything that stimulates your brain too much, as that can result in delayed sleep. As for bedtime yoga routine, there are plethora of YouTube videos available. Or you can consult a yoga practitioner.
• Sleep Hygiene: Ensure your sleeping environment is conducive to rest by keeping it cool, dark and quiet. You can also have some relaxing music to lull you into deep sleep.

A calming evening routine can significantly improve your sleep quality and help you wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

Create a Flexible Yet Structured Daily Schedule

Having a daily schedule that is both structured and flexible can help you manage your time effectively. Structured helps you waste minimum time because you always know what you needs to do next. Flexible allows you to handle unexpected events such as sudden illness or as and when they occur.

Here’s a simple way to develop a flexible yet structured schedule:

• Set Priorities: We talked about this in Section 1, but it bears repeating. Identify the most important tasks for the day and schedule them first.
• Create Time Blocks: Allocate specific time blocks for different activities, ensuring you have dedicated time for work, family and personal tasks.
• Have Buffer Times in Your Calendar: Include buffer times between tasks to accommodate any unexpected events or delays. If you schedule back to back tasks and any task gets delayed due to any reason, the rest of the tasks will get automatically delayed.
• Have Ample Breaks: It’s not sufficient to have buffer times. Add in free time to your calendar to ensure you get them. If you think you will take a break once you finish the tasks, you will never be able to take a break. Which will affect your health in the long run, even leading to burnout. So schedule hobby time, hanging out with friends, coffee with team members, date night with partner into your calendar.
• Review and Adjust Continuously: At the end of each week, review your schedule, assess what worked and what didn’t and adjust as necessary for the next week. Initially you can do this every day too if you want.

Also, remember that each day might look different for you due to the sheer amount of responsibilities you carry as a working mom. Know that it’s perfectly normal not to have the same schedule day in day out. To be honest, it will get boring after a few weeks!! So it is perfectly fine to have a few fixed tasks day after day, week after week, and the rest get filled up depending on what all you are doing.

For instance, I do client work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, so those three days are blocked according to my work load. There are a few other time blocks like admin tasks on Saturdays, social media content on Fridays, where the calendar is booked. But the rest is very flexible and gets scheduled on a daily basis.

A well-planned daily schedule helps ensure that you stay on track with your tasks and also have the bandwidth to adjust to changes. But with so many responsibilities, you should be ready to take help wherever possible or needed. Let’s see how you can do that as well in a structured manner.

Seeking Help and Delegation

Even if you are a working mom, you are human and there are limitations to what all you can achieve on your own. Learn to ask for help and don’t hesitate in delegating tasks wherever you can. These two strategies can improve your productivity manifold.

But it’s so difficult toa ask for help, right?

Well, wrong. Because nothing is cast in stone. And with practice you can learn to do what you haven’t done till now. Let’s see how.

Embrace the Power of Asking for Help

Asking for help can be challenging, especially for working moms, who often feel the need to do it all. It is nothing but social conditioning. We are made to feel we must act like supermoms and do everything ourselves. Until we drop dead with fatigue.

However, seeking assistance can be a game-changer for productivity and mental as well as physical well-being.

As I said, asking for help is not easy, but here is how you can start :

• Know That It’s Normal to Ask for Help: Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a practical way to manage your responsibilities effectively, for a long time to come. Everyone needs assistance at times, and it’s perfectly okay to ask for it. If you are not yet convinced, imagine this. Who will step in for you when
• Identify Tasks to Delegate: Look at your daily tasks and identify which ones can be delegated to others. Household chores, errands or work-related tasks can often be handed off to family members, friends or coworkers. It is also a good time to talk with your boss and do away with unnecessary meetings so that you get more time for your project.
• Communicate Clearly: When asking for help, be clear and specific about what you need. And why. If you explain your reasons behind your request, the other person is more likely to acquiesce. Whether it’s asking a partner to handle the kids’ bedtime routine or requesting a colleague to assist with a project, clear communication is key to getting the support you need. I often throw in numbers to support my request. I need only an hour more to finish what I am doing. I have been on my feet for the past two hours without break. Details like that melt the other person faster. Hey, everything is fair in love, war and motherhood!

Build a Strong Support Network

We talked about asking for help. But who exactly do we ask for help?

The simple answer is, your network of supportive people.

If you don’t have them yet, it’s time to start building one. For both personal and professional support. A strong support network gives access to a safety net of people who can offer real time help, advice and emotional support.

Here are a few things you can start doing today to build and maintain a robust support network:

• Engage Family and Friends: To be honest they are my primary support base. It may be because my mother stays near by and was actively involved when I was working full time, but even if you don’t have that luxury, don’t hesitate to lean on family and friends for support. They can assist with childcare, offer a listening ear or give references for reliable support with household chores. Nurture them via an open line of communication and expressing gratitude even when you don’t actively need them.
• Network with Other Working Moms: Connect with other working moms who understand the unique challenges you face. They can offer practical advice, share experiences and provide moral support. If you have school-going kids, connect with school moms. Consider joining other local moms’ groups, online forums or social media communities. If you feel you don’t have time for it, start with just one or two groups, and take it from there. Trust me, the support you will receive will more than make up for any time you need to invest.
• Utilize Online Professional Communities and Local Groups: Online communities can be a great resource for finding support and advice. Websites, forums, and social media groups dedicated to working moms can provide a wealth of information, avenues for outsourcing work and a sense of community. Additionally, local groups and meet-ups can offer face-to-face support and foster meaningful connections. When you spend every waking hour tackling projects and unruly kids, you need to let your hair down with fellow working moms face to face.

Building a supportive network not only helps you manage daily tasks but also provides emotional resilience and a sense of belonging.

Self-Care Practices

We often talk of work-life balance. But I feel there is a crucial third pillar we tend to neglect – self-care. Remember, if you are not physically, mentally and emotionally fit, no amount of hacks can make you as productive as you want to be.

Self-care must always come first. That’s why I am discussing it before talking of work-life balance. Show don’t tell and all…

Extra Reading: What is self-care and how to do it?

Make Self-Care a Daily Priority

Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is essential for maintaining your overall well-being and productivity.

Here’s how to make self-care a daily priority:

• Schedule Self-Care Time: Treat self-care as a non-negotiable part of your daily schedule. Daily so that you develop the habit of self-care that much faster. Allocate specific times each day dedicated to activities that recharge you, such as reading, gardening, taking a walk or enjoying a hobby. Something where you actively do something. I wouldn’t count watching an hour of your favourite show as self-care time!
• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is being aware of what you are doing. Take it to the next level so that you are aware of who you are. Engage in mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing or yoga. I prefer yoga, 3-4 times a week. It helps reduce stress, improves focus and enhances emotional health. If you can do meditation, nothing like it, but don’t feel bad if you can’t. I find it difficult to practice meditation and stick to yoga, which works just fine. I guess it’s because for those 30-45 minutes I am concentrating completely on my breathing and how my body moves, which is what meditation is all about. Self-care is all about what works for you.
• Exercise Regularly: Incorporate physical activity into your routine. Exercise not only boosts physical health but also releases endorphins – one of the happy hormones – which keeps mood and energy levels high the whole day through. My favourite is walking, which I try to do 5-6 times a week every morning. Choose what you want and then stick with it for a week. If it doesn’t work, move on to something else.
• Prioritize Sleep: Please ensure you get adequate rest each night. Because quality sleep is crucial for cognitive function, mood regulation and overall health. In the modern age of smartphones and OTT channels, getting 6-8 hours of sleep every single night seems like a dream (😉). Here are a few things you can do to get adequate high quality sleep:
  • Try to go to bed at the same time every night.
  • Avoid smartphone or TV 1-2 hours before bedtime.
  • Create a relaxing bedtime routine to get into the “mood.”
  • Listen to some relaxing music; take advantage of Spotify timer feature to conserve smartphone battery.

Extra Reading: 17 Self Care Tips for Women (with Examples)

Safeguard Your Mental Health

Protecting your mental health is just as important as physical health. Unfortunately, mental health is something that is still not talked about as much as it should be, but that does not mean it is less critical. Make the start with yourself and start taking care of it. If you have just come out of your pregnancy or gave small kids at home, it’s even more critical to be mentally thriving, so that you create a happy environment for your kids.

Here’s how you can start prioritizing your mental health:

• Manage Stress: Identify stressors in your life. That has to be the first step. It could be people, projects or situations; identify them. Now develop strategies to manage them. This might include time management techniques, setting boundaries, getting accountability partners or even seeking professional support. Do whatever it takes, and then implement those strategies like your life depended on it. Because it does. Stress affects all aspects of your life.
• Stay Connected: It’s time to remember your first Science lesson – Man is a social animal. I would just add – so is a woman (😉). We need connection with real people. In this digital age of text messaging and face timing, try to maintain physical social connections with friends, family and colleagues. and when they are far away, don’t hesitate in taking advantage of social connectivity. But nurture those relationships. As we grow older adulting takes a toll and we get caught in the rat race or daily mundanities of life. Time to rectify that. And in case you are hesitating in picking up the phone to call your school mate because it has been a decade, know that they are in the same predicament. Hesitant over re-connecting and seeing where it goes. So take the leap of faith. Social support is vital for emotional well-being and can provide a sense of belonging and purpose.
• Seek Professional Help if You Have to: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, seek out a trusted person (it could be a friend, family member or workplace friend) and talk to them about it. If that doesn’t work out or you need more help, consider talking to a mental health professional. Therapy or counseling can provide valuable tools and support for managing mental health challenges. Invest time and resources in yourself so that you there for your loved ones and for yourself.
• Be Positive: Focus on positive aspects of your life and be grateful for what you have. You can start by keeping a gratitude journal. Ignoring what you failed to achieve and reflecting on what you’re thankful for can boost mood and overall happiness.

Taking care of your mental health enables you to better handle the demands of work and family life, ultimately leading to a more balanced and fulfilling existence while maintaining your productivity.

Balancing Work and Family Life

Now let’s talk about the first two pillars of balanced life – personal and professional.

Stay Organized with a Family Calendar

Keeping track of everyone’s schedules can be daunting, but a family calendar can simplify the process. If you use Google Calendar, you can choose to share some of those tasks with your colleagues. I haven’t used Outlook or any other calendar for this, so I wouldn’t know.

And in case you are wondering why you should share your personal tasks with professional connections, imaging this. Say you have to be in your kid’s school for their stage performance between 12 and 1 on a certain day. Would you really want a team member scheduling you for a meeting in that time?

While you are mulling over it, here are a few fun ideas on staying organized with a family calendar:

Consolidate Schedules

Use a shared family calendar, either digital or physical, to keep track of everyone’s activities, appointments and commitments. This helps prevent scheduling conflicts and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Now, no one in my family uses an online calendar, except me. And I feel too lazy to create a physical calendar for the pantry door. So instead, we have a quick chat about it every morning about everyone’s schedules. That has worked for us so far, so it might for you too! You can do this the evening before too if you want.

Color Code

Assign different colors to each family member’s activities for easy identification. This visual aid can make it easier to see who is doing what and when. And make it more fun too, especially the kids. Color coding is real fun I tell you; I do that for my own tasks and it takes me just a glance to know what is in store for me for the day.

Regular Updates

Schedule a weekly family meeting to review and update the calendar. Discuss upcoming events, deadlines and any changes to the schedule. This becomes critical if you are planning a family event such as vacation or party. Or, you have to attend an event as a family.

Set Reminders: Use calendar reminders to prompt you about important events and tasks. This can help ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Like I said, I am the only one who uses an online calendar in my home. Do I put reminders for all the family tasks where I or my laptop/iPad is needed.

Cherish Quality Time with Kids

I have been working for more than two decades, both before and after marriage. I will tell you this from experience – nothing beats spending quality time with kids, whatever their age. It relieves stress, releases all kinds of happy hormones and energizes you for whatever life throws at you.

Spending quality time with your children is crucial for building strong family bonds and ensuring their emotional well-being. If you take shortcut with it today, it might come back to bite you later.

Here’s how you can make the most of your time with your kids:

• Be Present: When you’re with your kids, give them your full attention. Put away distractions like phones and laptops and completely focus on whatever you are doing. And just as reminder – listening to them is also an activity you are doing with them.
• Plan Fun Activities: Schedule regular family activities that everyone enjoys. This could include game nights, outdoor adventures or simple things like cooking together. My daughters often bake together, and it is one of those few ties when they are in sync!
• Create Daily Rituals: Establish daily rituals that make you spend time with each other. For instance, evening tea is family time in my house. You can create rituals such as reading a bedtime story, having breakfast together or taking an evening walk.
• Encourage Open Communication: Make time to talk with your kids about their day, feelings and any concerns they may have. It’s best to do this as soon as they come from school or extra classes, when everything is fresh. Open communication builds trust and helps you stay connected with their lives.

Balancing work and family life is challenging, but by staying organized and cherishing quality time with your kids, you can create a harmonious and fulfilling home environment.

Focus on Advancing Your Career

Balancing career development with family responsibilities can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can achieve a semblance of achievement in both. If you give up on your career aspirations for familial obligations and you end up bitter about it, even your personal life will take a beating.

A few tips to get started:

• Set Clear Goals: Define your career objectives and create a plan to achieve them. Next, put down your personal goals (such as relationship goals, financial goals, social goals, etc.). And when I say next, I mean right down beside your career goals. Next, break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps and set deadlines for each. Easier said than done, I know. So here is a guide on setting SMART goals to get you started.
• Seek Professional Development: Invest in your growth by attending workshops, webinars and conferences related to your field. Pursue certifications or additional education to enhance your skills and qualifications. But remember to integrate them with your personal responsibilities. Talk to your partner, kids, family or whoever will get affected by your choices before taking a decision. Unilateral decisions suck, make life difficult (at times miserable) and take lots of mindspace. So choose wisely. May be opt for online or local workshops and conferences. Pursue an online
• Network Strategically: You know that networking can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable support. So you need to build and maintain professional relationships through networking events, industry groups and online platforms such as LinkedIn. But beware of signing up for too many communities and platforms. When you are already short on time, they can overwhelm you. Be strategic and intentional about them.
• Leverage Flexible Work Options: Post covid, flexible work arrangements such as remote work, flexible hours or job sharing have been normalized. If you are working a full time job, explore them in. These options can help you save time that would otherwise have been wasted in commuting or attending unnecessary meetings.

Enhance Productivity with Apps and Tools

If you are not using technology to enhance your productivity in 2024, you are leaving so much on the table!! A simple Google or Bing search will reveal a ton of apps and tools designed to help you manage your tasks, time and productivity effectively and efficiently.

Leverage Apps for Both Personal and Professional Tasks

Productivity apps are not only for professional tasks; you should use them outside of work too. Googling “productivity apps” will throw up tons of recommendations. So I am listing a few categories of most useful apps to get you started.

Task Management Apps

Utilize apps like Todoist, Trello or Asana to organize tasks, set deadlines and track progress. These apps offer features like reminders, checklists and project boards to keep you on top of your responsibilities. I use Todoist and I always create a new project for personal projects.

Time Management Tools

Apps like Clockify, Toggl or RescueTime help you monitor how you spend your time. These tools provide insights into your daily activities and help identify areas where you can improve efficiency. I have been using Toggl for years. Play around with a few tools and then choose one that you are comfortable with.

Note-Taking Apps

Keep your ideas, notes and to-do lists organized with apps like Evernote, OneNote, Google Keep or Notion. These apps allow you to capture thoughts on the go and keep everything in one place.

For years I used a multitude of apps such as Google Keep, OneNote, Voice notes, smartphone note taking app and paper pads. But now I exclusively use Notion. I have a database of new ideas where I can add new ideas straight from the homescreen my Android phone! You will need to test a few apps and workflows to see what works for you.

Automation Tools

Use automation tools like Zapier or IFTTT to automate repetitive tasks. IFTTT is especially good with automating home tasks by integrating smart home devices. But if you are already using Zapier for work tasks, go ahead and streamline some of your personal workflows, saving you time and reducing manual effort. We will talk about it in more detail in the next section, because automation can save you hours of work.

Automate Simple Tasks with Ease

As discussed, automation can significantly enhance productivity because it takes care of boring and time-sucking repetitive and mundane tasks. You can use all the extra time to focus on more critical activities.

Here are a few suggestions on automating simple tasks.

Email Filters and Templates

Set up email filters to automatically sort incoming messages into folders. Segregate newsletters, invoices and job alerts into separate folders so that you can batch them later. Use email templates for common responses to save time on writing repetitive emails. You can also use text expanders such as aText for this. Experiment with a few and see what works. These days you will get many free AI expanders too, but like all AI stuff test thoroughly before going with it.

Smart Home Devices

If you are okay with them, buy smart home devices such as smart fans, automated lights, thermostats and voice assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Assistant) to manage the home effortlessly. More than saving on time, it is about having some much needed comfort after a hard day’s work. Which you totally deserve.

Recurring Payments and Subscriptions

Automate bill payments and subscription renewals to avoid missing deadlines and reduce the hassle of manual payments. Since I set up autopayment for my daughter’s mobile bill, I haven’t had her bugging me for recharge 😊.

Social Media Scheduling

In the 21st century, even if you are have a job, you need to build your brand. Use tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule social media posts in advance. This ensures consistent online presence without the need for daily manual posting.

By automating simple tasks, you can free up valuable time and mental energy, allowing you to focus on more important and fulfilling activities.

Managing Remote Work and Home Life

Since I work from home, I know how difficult it is to work from home with all the distractions present 24X7. Here is my two cent on the topic, gleaned from 12+ years as a solopreneur working from home.

Set Up a Productive Home Office

Creating a dedicated workspace at home is essential for maintaining productivity and separating work from personal life. Here’s how to set up a productive home office:

• Choose the Right Space: Select a quiet area in your home with minimal distractions (nothing can really stop your toddler barging in, but think of everything else😁). Ideally, this space should be separate from high-traffic areas such as the living room or dining room and personal spaces like the bedroom. So see what you can manage. Just remember this: your needs do not come after everyone else’s needs and desires have been catered to. Just pointing out since we tend to do exactly that.
• Go for an Ergonomic Setup: Invest in ergonomic furniture, such as a comfortable chair and a desk at the right height, to prevent strain and promote good posture. I learnt my lesson the hard way, after spondylitis and cold shoulder had set in. No amount of money can bring back your health, so don’t go stingy when it comes to buying furniture for your workspace. Plus, know that a comfortable setup would mean more working hours, translating directly into more money earned many times over.
• Try for Some Sunlight: Ensure your workspace has good lighting. Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not possible, use bright, adjustable lamps to reduce eye strain.
• Organize Your Desk: Keep your desk clutter-free and organized. May be use storage solutions such as drawers, shelves and desk organizers if you are trying to cram too many things in a small space. keep everything in its place.
• Add Personal Touches: Personal touches make your workspace inviting and motivating; don’t thrift on them. Think plants, artwork or family photos. My display board has pics of my daughters when they were less than 2 years old; always brings on a smile when i see them. And artwork they create for my birthday.

Stay Focused While Working from Home

Staying focused while working from home can be challenging, especially with household distractions. But if you can get even 2-3 hours of focused work done, that can be huge. Here’s how you can start trying to maintain focus and productivity:

• Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Communicate your work hours to family members and ask for their support in minimizing interruptions.
• Create a Schedule: Follow a structured daily schedule, including specific work hours, breaks and time for personal activities. Stick to this schedule as closely as possible to maintain a routine. And communicate this to those around you, so that they wait for you to finish rather than interrupting you. Life happens, and you are available for that always. But for everything else there should be a schedule.
• Use Productivity Techniques: Employ techniques like the Pomodoro, where you work in focused intervals (e.g. 25 minutes) followed by short breaks. This can help maintain concentration and prevent burnout.
• Limit Distractions: Identify common distractions and take steps to minimize them. This could include turning off non-essential notifications, setting up a “do not disturb” sign, or using noise-cancelling headphones.
• Stay Connected: Regularly communicate with your team and manager to stay aligned on tasks and goals. Use video calls, messaging apps, and collaboration tools to maintain a sense of connection and accountability.

Handling Emergencies and Unplanned Events

Life happens to everyone. If you can foresee, and plan accordingly, you will lead a more uninterrupted life. Let’s see how.

Be Prepared with an Emergency Plan

Emergencies and unplanned events are inevitable, but being prepared can help you manage them more effectively. Here’s how to create an emergency plan:

• Identify Potential Emergencies: Consider the types of emergencies that could occur, such as natural disasters, medical emergencies, or sudden changes in work schedules.
• Create a Family Emergency Plan: Develop a plan that includes emergency contacts, evacuation routes, and a designated meeting place. Ensure all family members are familiar with the plan and know what to do in different scenarios.
• Prepare an Emergency Kit: Assemble an emergency kit with essential items like water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, important documents, and medications. Keep this kit in an easily accessible location.
• Communicate with Employers: Inform your employer about your emergency plan and discuss potential work arrangements during emergencies, such as remote work options or flexible hours.
• Regularly Review and Update: Periodically review and update your emergency plan to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Practice emergency drills with your family to keep everyone prepared.

Be Resilient and Adaptable

Building resilience and adaptability can help you handle unplanned events and bounce back quickly. Here’s how to cultivate these traits:

• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and focus on solutions rather than problems. Positive thinking can improve your ability to cope with stress and uncertainty.
• Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Enhance your problem-solving skills by learning to think critically and creatively. Approach challenges with an open mind and be willing to consider multiple solutions.
• Practice Flexibility: Be open to changing your plans and adapting to new circumstances. Flexibility allows you to adjust quickly and effectively when unexpected events occur.
• Build a Support Network: Lean on your support network during tough times. Friends, family, and colleagues can offer advice, assistance, and emotional support.
• Take Care of Yourself: Prioritize self-care to maintain your physical and mental well-being. Exercise, healthy eating, and adequate rest are essential for building resilience.

Wrap-Up: Embrace These Strategies for a Balanced Productive Life

In this guide, we’ve explored practical, actionable strategies to help working moms enhance their productivity, manage their time more effectively, and achieve a harmonious balance between work and home life.

By implementing these tips, you can tackle your toughest tasks, create effective daily routines, seek help and build a support network, prioritize self-care, balance work and family life, leverage technology, manage finances, advance your career, handle emergencies, and build resilience.

Remember, it’s okay to seek help and take time for yourself. Every small step towards better time management and productivity can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. Embrace these strategies, and you’ll find yourself more equipped to handle the challenges of being a working mom while enjoying a more balanced and fulfilling life.

3 Simple Steps to Take Next

• Subscribe to My Newsletter: Stay updated with more tips and strategies by subscribing to my newsletter.
• Explore Additional Resources: Check out our related blog posts for further insights and advice.
• Follow Me on LinkedIn: I share my best advice, failures and learnings on LinkedIn. Follow me on LinkedIn.