How to be a Productive Mom even if you’re exhausted
Want to be more productive? But there are so many things to do that it doesn’t seem like enough time to get it all done.
You have things you would love to do, like sewing, phototherapy, blogging, baking, or any personal passion you dream of.
But a major problem is you don’t have the time. How can you fit in what you want to do in life when you’re so darn gone busy?
I understand.
I had to figure out how to be a mom of 3, wife, full-time employee, team lead, and blogger into my life.
It came to a point where I was no longer willing to put aside what I wanted to do because of life’s challenges. So instead, I set out to find beneficial strategies that will make me more productive in my life.

Things won't change unless I change them. I am determined to create the life I deserve. #productivitytips #motivation #igrind #giaks #sucess #timemanagement #productivemom #momof3 Click To Tweet
You must create the time to change your destination.
PRODUCTIVITY DEFINED

From TonyRobbin.com, Productivity is “getting the results you want with less time and effort. So when youāre trying to understand how to be productive, what youāre seeking is a way to achieve your goals while having time to spend on what matters”.
What Productivity is Not
I learned quickly in my journey that busy and productive were not the same.
Most people feel that life is a race. And it’s about getting more things done in as little time as possible.
But in reality, racing to be done doesn’t mean it’s done right.
Often when your racing, you are not 100% effective or present.
It’s like trying to juggle too many balls too fast, and most of them simply hit the floor.
Not a good technique.
What does it mean to be productive for you?
Ask yourself this question: Why do you want to increase your productivity?
- Most people want to be more productive to have more free time to do the things they enjoy.
- They want to be able to reach their goals sooner, and more effectively.
- So they can have some time to achieve personal goals such as relaxing with a book, learning a new skill, working out, or enjoying girl time with their friends.
- To reduce the amount of stress you have in your life
So tell me, what are your reasons?
Many moms tell me they want to be productive so they can make time to focus on their passion in life.
But the hardest part is setting proper goals. Goals that help you get things done so your not plain ol’ busy.
Setting goals that you can tackle, so you be consistent.
I want to tell you this is possible. You can make more money, and create more free time to spend it with the family.
You can become the best version of yourself.
Let’s determine the difference and where you stand.
Are you really just BUSY?

Why do we have this obsession with adding more and more things to our day even though we are completing less?
Have you noticed that the next day there are more things on your to-do list?
Are you running a race that you will never win? It’s not like there is a finish line that says,
“you made it all tasks are done forever.”
Don’t you wish, though? ME TOOš!
Being busy means, you are doing a whole bunch of tasks that don’t add to the bottom line.Ā
While being productive means, you are creating noticeable changes in your life.
So while one is getting you closer to your goals, the other is a barrier.
The real truth is understanding that being busy prohibits you from personal, family, and career growth.
If you’re trying to gain noticeable growth, you must be willing to create healthy habits and set boundaries.
For example, stop trying to be there for everyone. And do everything. Saying Yes to everything doesn’t make you a great person. Just a person bad at setting boundaries.
I get it, saying NO to others is hard, but if you take the time to set healthy boundaries, prioritize your schedule, and streamline your life, then you will find the time for others.
As a result, you will be unstoppable in executing tasks and still OCCASIONALLY finding time for others.
HOW CAN YOU BE MORE PRODUCTIVE?
TIP 1. Let Go of Trying To Do It All.
My life before organization, meditation, and printables was complete chaos. I would sacrifice sleep and sanity to get things done, and for some reason, self-care was not on the list.
There were days when life was a blur.
While obtaining my Masters’s in Public Health, writing tons of papers, and caring for our 1-year-old in the middle of the night, I had to find the energy to report to work by 5 am to inspect poultry for the US Department of Agriculture job.
I was utterly exhausted and felt like I was on the hamster wheel, going in circles.
To the others, it seemed as if I had it together, but in reality, I did not feel like I was in control.
I was not spending enough time on my papers, my husband, or my child.
Instead, I was going with the motion.
And ultimately, it left me barely present and depressed.
When I had our second child, things just got worst.
I end up with postpartum depression. And finding the drive to do anything was hard.
It was then, looking at my kids and the pitiful self, that I decided to make a change.
I wanted to become an intentional parent and present wife.
So the first thing was to get professional help, change my mindset, and remove negative thoughts.
Get my life together by getting organized and becoming mindful of what was happening around me.
So the first thing that I threw out the window was trying to do it all.
TIP 2: Create a Growth Mindset
What are the barriers you tell yourself that limit your growth?
What beliefs reduce your ability to be successful and productive?
I like to use quotes and inspirational messages to keep me grounded and motivated.
Currently, I have an online vision board on my laptop screen to keep me connected with my WHY.
Every Goal, Hustle & Vision I create is motivated by my Kids and protected with Faith #godmakesallthingspossible #momsmatterstoo #mykidsareeverything Click To Tweet
And my vision board is above my desk to help me manifest my dreams.
I eliminated the excuses that I told myself, which were only holding me back.
Such as…
- I am a mom, so I need to focus on my kids.
- There is not enough time for me to do things because I have a full-time job.
- It’s impossible to focus on myself because I will neglect others.
- The guilt of even trying to think of caring for myself first
- These are the first ones that had to go because there are plenty of moms crushing it.
TIP 3: Let go of the Myth: More Effort equals more Progress.
Are you addicted to being busy? Check this chart out and determine if you need help moving from busy to productive.
BUSY | PRODUCTIVE |
Talking about what you have to do | Talking about what you have completed |
Express how little time you have to get things done | Make time for important things |
Multitask | Focus on one task at a time |
Talk about making a change | Able to execute changes in behavior |
Respond quickly | Take your time to respond |
No clear mission | Have a mission in life |
Have too many priorities | Have a few priorities |
Spread yourself too thin | Think before you say yes |
No clear action plan | Have a clear route |
Goals are not SMART and unorganized | Have a SMART goal and keep a goal sheet nearby |
TIP 4: Organize Your Schedule
Are you taking on too much? Are you continually adding tasks to your to-do list that weren’t originally there?
It starts with….. today I will clean the house, go to work, cook dinnerā¦then something not on your list pops up.
Do you add it to your list, or do you schedule it for a better time?
Organize Yourself.
Being organized is a must in order to be successful, fulfilled, and present. Being busy is the complete opposite.
I highly recommend using the Organized Mom Planner because it tackles goals, has inspirational quotes, and monthly motivation quotes, and organizes your kids, and your day!
It’s everything a mom wishes for in one planner!
And I also use a digital calendar to sync my schedule with my husband. Because there is so much that I can do, and having my husband assist with doctors’ appointments, teacher meetings, and sports activities is a blessing.
TIP 5: Set Small Goals
You will be more accomplished if you set small achievable goals and then build the momentum to add more goals to tackle.
- add one goal at a time first
- reward yourself for goals you accomplish
- make family goals
- get relationship goal
- set financial goals
TIP 6: Learn how to get more done correctly
An excellent way to increase productivity is by batching your schedule.
Learn from other moms how they schedule their day to get more things done.
Delegate it. We can’t be everywhere all the time. Then check out the best products that all moms should have to make life so much easier.
TIP 7: Have a to-do list
Ok, so this is the most impressive thing ever invented.
It’s planning my day productivity planner insert printable. I get so much done using this simple sheet.
TIP 8: Create the Ultimate Block Schedule
I love the block schedule method because it helps create a routine for your day. Then you can focus on being present in the time block and then change mental tasks when you go to the next time block.
TIP 9: Control your Mornings
Being productive has a lot to do with how you use your time and, more importantly, when you can get things done without distractions.
Yes, we all love our kids, but they either ask too many questions at the wrong time. Or want to be held if they are little.
Having a preschooler and a baby is double-duty. So having a great morning routine lets me start my day on the right foot and with the right mindset!
We have all been there before when one thing starts wrong, which is a snowball effect. Your entire day becomes a disaster.
First, it starts with the kids waking up before you, whichĀ is never a good idea.
Then the toddler has told you so many stories and asked so many questions that you forgot to pack your lunch.
You get to work, and you can find your ID to get into the building, so you go through security.
Next, you are on your way home, and the gas light comes on. Really?
Moms, you have to get in control of your morning if you want to have a good day, period.
TIP 10: Simplify your life
So it is impossible to be productive if there is clutter everywhere in your life.
You have mental clutter, physical clutter, or emotional clutter.
I can’t count how many times someone I coach tells me it’s hard to stay productive because there are too many things on my mind.
Ok, the first thing in simplifying your life is to brain dump and get everything out of your head and onto paper.
Then identify the things that cause the most mental power and eliminate them.
Do you take too much time cooking dinner? Use one of these Meal planning templates to create a meal plan.
Does it take you too much time in the morning to look for jewelry? I recommend a super simple wall jewelry holder, which made a huge difference in my morning. I was tired of wasting time looking for my necklaces or untangling them.
If you’re looking for a way to speed up the makeup process, then organize it! I have a pretty makeup organizer on my sink, which allows me to locate everything I need in seconds.
And if you have too many things on your mind, then Declutter them and eliminate the negative energy around you.
TIP 11: Use your time wisely
If you feel yourself constantly losing track of whatās taking up most of the time in your day, then commit one week to write everything down.
This will allow you to see where time is being wasted and if youāre spreading yourself too thin.
Also, take notice of what tasks you add to your day. Because everything canāt be important – something has to fall on the waistline for another day.
As a working mom, I use my time as wisely as possible by using my lunchtime to block out tasks dedicated to my side hustle.
I also take frequent breaks to walk around the courtyard and get some exercise. And I also use that time to be present and relax.
Then as I am driving to and from work, I catch up with friends or listen to my favorite podcasts.
Whatever you have to do to make it work, do it. You will feel so accomplished by using your time wisely.
TIP 12: Always be willing to learn
I love to listen to Productive hacks on Youtube or read a good book on how to develop good habits.
There is no more profitable investment than investing in yourself. It is the best investment you can make; you can never go wrong with it. It is the true way to improve yourself to be the best version of you and lets you be able to⦠Click To TweetSo grab a good coach, whether rather than a business, fitness, success, or life coach. Have someone help you look out for yourself. And reach your wildest dreams.
If you’re not ready for that step in self-investment, then start with these recommended books:
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Disclosure
- The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life – Before 8 AM
- Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life
- The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Reached Productivity!
These 11 steps will help you go from busy to productive. These productivity tips will free up time to do the things you enjoy but can’t seem to get to.
You can conquer anything by simply creating a routine, simplifying your life, using your time wisely, and setting goals.
I know you always had the drive for more, and now this is how you can get there!
Don’t forget to check out the Organized Mom Planner to be productive, motivated, and organized.

I love this post and so organized š It makes my life easier and productive. Glad that you share this with us
Angela,
Yes, organizing your schedule allows you to create the time you need for yourself. Life can get easier but you know with kids, it can never be perfect. A little planning goes a long way! š
These are some great tips to be productive and not just busy. In fact when I left my full time job to be a work from home I was really worried about the same thing. I wanted to be productive and not just busy at home.
Rakhiparsai,
I will be out on maternity leave in a few weeks. My exact goal is to stay productive and continue to motivate and inspire other moms through blogging. Also congrats on leaving your job and being a work from home mom. š
I can identify with this so much! So many things occupying your time and you feel like you aren’t giving anything the full attention it deserves. Thanks for sharing the tips.
Emily,
It’s because as a mom we wear so many hats.Then we are pulled in every direction since we want to be helpful to everyone ALL THE TIME. But, but creating time slots and priorities makes things more balanced.
Lists and organized time help me be more productive. THis is a helpful list of tips.
Rachel,
I’m glad you can relate. I couldn’t imagine getting anything done without a list. Besides, I am very forgetful.