Simple Productivity Tips To Get More Done as a Mom

It can feeling challenging to complete a task when you have kids you need to take care of.

However, it feels so good when you do have those little wins and you’re able to cross a task off your to-do list. I actually LOVE this feeling of knocking things off my to-do list, so that’s why I’m always looking for ways to get more done efficiently.

I wrote a post a while ago where I shared 20 simple productivity tips for stay-at-home moms. You can find that here.

This post is going to cover even more simple productivity tips you can incorporate into your day!

Simple Productivity Tip To Get More Done As A Mom

More Simple Productivity Tips To Get More Done as a Mom

Check out this of 15 productivity tips to help you get more done at home.

1. Have Routines

I’m sure this is no surprise if you’ve noticed the name of my blog…but routines really do allow for more productivity. I’m able to get the laundry done through out the week because I always throw a load in during my morning routine. I also have a whole cleaning routine that we do as a family.

2. Make Sleep a Priority

It doesn’t matter how big or small your to-do list is, if you’re exhausted, it feels like pulling teeth to get ANYTHING done! Create a night routine that allows you 7-8 hours of sleep. I consistently get about 7 hours of sleep a night. It’s amazing how much I can accomplish because I feel energized instead of drowsy and exhausted.

3. Clean the Bathroom While Your Kids Are Showering or Bathing

Obviously, you might not be able to clean the shower/tub if your kids are using it, but you can wipe down the sink (get all that GROSS toothpaste out of there), mirrors, and clean the toilet. I usually don’t do much cleaning at night, but it feels so good to go to bed knowing the bathroom is clean! It’s the little things, right?

4. Give Yourself Some Downtime

Plan time in your day to rest. I know this sounds like the opposite of productivity. But we all need some time to recharge throughout the day. This could be 15 minutes or an hour. Personally, I take about an hour a day now that my kids are in school. I eat my lunch and watch one of my BravoTV shows. I look forward to this time so much. And without it, I feel like I’m running on empty by the end of the day. Be intentional and plan the time into your day.

5. Use Grocery Pick-Up/Delivery

If you want to save time AND money, then use a grocery pick-up or delivery service. I don’t really mind grocery shopping, but it takes a good hour or two out of my day. On weeks that I have a lot to do, I choose to order my groceries online through Walmart, and pick them up at a time I designate. This saves money because I’m not grabbing random things off the shelf on impulse. Plus, it helps me stay on budget because I can see the total of my spending as I’m adding stuff to the online grocery cart.

6. Never Leave a Room Empty Handed

It’s easy for toys, books, and random stuff to congregate in rooms they don’t belong. I try to make it a habit to look around before I leave a room, and grab something that needs to be put back in it’s home. For example, when I left my bedroom this morning, I noticed hand towels on the dresser that belonged in the downstairs bathroom. I grabbed them and put them away. This is a great way to reduce clutter, and it’s a great habit to teach your kids!

7. Set Boundaries For Yourself

Setting boundaries – and sticking to them – are key to being productive. I say boundaries, but even setting time blocks for yourself can help. For example, if you have a block of time that’s devoted to your cleaning routine, stick to the cleaning during that time. This means you won’t be on your phone, or playing with your kids, or working on other things. You will be cleaning! I personally have a boundary around my TV time. I only watch TV while I’m eating my lunch, and then if I have time in the evening, but that’s it!

8. Give One Thing All Your Attention

I’m finding it harder and harder to focus when there are kids and phones to distract us. However, if I can put distractions away for even 10 minutes, it’s amazing what I can get done. Plus, it feels really good to accomplish a task in whole. You may be spending double the amount of time you need to spend on a task because you are allowing yourself to be distracted. Next time you set out to get something done, set your timer for 10 minutes and focus solely on what you are working on for those 10 minutes with no distractions. Once the time is up, evaluate how much you were able to accomplish! Once you realize how much more you can get done if you focus, it will be easier to keep the distractions away for a little bit.

9. Make a List

I don’t know about you, but I hate the feeling of having the same reminder floating in my mind thousands of times a day. It takes up precious mental energy that I could exert elsewhere…That’s why making lists is key to being able to focus, and eliminating some of the chaos in my mind. When I find myself procrastinating, I take a sheet of paper out and put a list together. This act of creating the list, immediatly creates a sense of calm in me and provides direction. I then start with the first thing on the list and work my way down. I love the feeling of crossing items of a list, it’s a little dopamine hit and creates momentum!

10. Throw Everything In a Laundry Basket

I have a really hard time focusing if there is a ton of clutter around. When I want to get stuff done, I grab an empty laundry basket and throw all the clutter in the laundry basket. For example, towards the end of the week, school papers, mail, and random toys are hanging out in the kitchen. The thought of going through all the school papers, and putting the toys away, before I clean the kitchen can feel overwhelming. This is when I use the laundry basket trick. Once the clutter is set aside, I can clean thoroughly. As far as what to do about the laundry basket, sometimes I tackle it immediatly. Other times, it’s set aside and I forget about it for weeks…which usually means we don’t need any of the items that are in there.

Next time you look around your house and feel overwhelmed, get a laundry basket!

11. Delete Apps On Your Phone

I’m guessing your phone zaps your productivity sometimes. One thing that can help is deleting apps that you are obsessed with. You know what I mean…apps that you’re checking without even realizing it? Apps that you are constantly hitting refresh on? Those are the ones that are taking up your time. You don’t have to delete them forever. Try deleting the app for a day and see what happens? Or create boundaries for when you will delete and reinstall the app? You can get a lot done when you aren’t unconsciously scrolling.

Woman looking at a smartphone deleting apps for more productivity

12. Have One 5 Minute Daily Task

It’s amazing how much you can get done in 5 minutes. Give yourself one task a day that you will complete in 5 minutes or less. Set your timer and get to work! Just completing one task in it’s entirety can give you the momentum to move onto your next task!

13. Make a Phone Call

I know…it may seem like calling someone can distract you from getting stuff done, but I find I get a lot of cleaning done when I’m on the phone! If you’re procrastinating to get something done (that doesn’t need your full attention), make a phone call and get to work! It’s a great way to catch up with a friend, and get some work done.

14. Use Baby Steps

This is one of my FAVORITE ways to get moving on a project. I will take a big task, like going through the kids clothes, and break it down into tiny steps that seem really manageable. If the task or project seems really complex, I will write down all the steps to gain more clarity and feel organized in my mind. If you want more ideas on how you can implement baby steps, check out Tip #7 in the blog post, 5 Minute Productivity Tips For The Procrastinating Mom.

15. Follow Through With Your Plan

I spend a good hour or two a week scheduling out my days. The time I spend to plan ahead, pays for itself because of how productive I am throughout the week. When I feel tempted to throw my plan out the window because I don’t want to do something, I remind myself that I spent time to put the plan together, if I don’t follow the plan, that time was for nothing. I hate wasting time so this thought motivates me to move forward.

Use These Simple Productivity Tips To Get More Done as a Mom

I hope you find at least one simple productivity tip that you can put to use today! My absolute favorite tips from this list are #1, 4, 9 and 14.

Do you have a tip that didn’t make this list? If so, share it in the comments below!

Also, pin this post for later so you can reference it when you’re in need of being more productive!

**Are you sick of feeling so angry and yelling at your kids? Check out my new blog series: 6 Steps To Go From An Angry To Happy + Confident Mom**