If you are a mom, you know how busy life can get. Do you find yourself having more than one conversation at a time and picking up toys all day long? Whether you are a working mom, stay-at-home mom, or mompreneur, we want you to get the necessary tools to make your life easier.
Manzanilla Sophia has gathered some great tips to help moms improve their productivity and have free time for themselves. Today’s blog gives you ten ways to increase your productivity so you can do more of the things you love. Keep reading to know how to become productive and motivated in 2023.
What is productivity, and why is it important?
Productivity measures how much work is done in a period of time. High productivity means that a person can produce a large amount of goods or services in a short period of time. In contrast, low productivity means it takes longer to produce the same goods or services. It is important because it helps you get more done in less time, which has many benefits.
Being more productive means getting more done to have extra time to do the things you enjoy. Productivity can lead to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, improving your well-being and happiness. So what are you waiting for? Let’s discover ten proven ways to increase productivity and achieve your goals this year.
#1 - Calendar
Having a productive week is not a matter of luck. You need to be determined to do and be your best. Every week or even day is different but always aim for good results. One proven way to prepare for a successful week is to use a calendar to plan your week.
How many meetings will you have? Are there any empty time slots? If so, fill them out with small tasks like checking emails or calling that person back. Do you need to stop at the grocery store and find the most efficient route to run your errands? Write all these details in your calendar and stick to your planned day as much as possible.
#2 - Digital organization
Have you ever walked into a store to find messy shelves and items on the floor? Don’t do that to your digital files. Organization leads to better productivity. You think you may be saving time by having all your files in one folder and digging through them when you need any. But this may be counterproductive.
Yes, organizing your digital device may take up to an hour. But once you have it organized by tasks, projects, and tabs, you’ll save time not digging for documents and files again. Create the necessary folders, notes, and sheets on your laptop and your email. Knowing where to find that particular document will save you so much time in the long run. Create as many folders as needed and watch your productive time increase.
#3 - Quality sleep
Good sleep is critical if you want to become more productive. A tired brain cannot do productive work. Allow your body to rest for at least 7 hours each night. Say no to screens and devices once you lay in bed. Instead, grab a book and read until you fall asleep. Apply a couple of homeopathic chamomile eye drops before you begin reading for added comfort and eye relaxation.
Studies have demonstrated that humans need at least 7-8 hours of sleep for optimal cognitive function. So don’t deprive your brain of rest. Even though you may feel tempted to shorten your sleep schedule to achieve more, remember the value of sleep for your brain. Aim to sleep between 7-8 hours each night to have a sharp brain and get more done in less time.
#4 - Find out your peak productivity time
In general, the most productive hours for everyone are between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. This is a generalization. Remember, no two people are the same. So even though this is the general rule, you may feel more productive and creative earlier or later during the day.
Check-in with your body, pay attention to how you feel, and discover your best time to work. You can do this by taking a chronotype quiz. This quiz will tell you all the details you need to know about your sleep pattern, so you can schedule your biggest tasks at your most productive times. Take the test today here.
#5 - Clean Workspace
Did you know that a cluttered room is the reflection of a cluttered mind? Keep your working space cleaned and organized. This may be your office, your kitchen, a studio in your house, or the coffee shop table. Ensure your area is clean and doesn’t have any distracting items around. Nothing is more annoying than being in the zone and your elbow tips over that three-day-old coffee mug. Not only will this make you forget about your task, but you also have to clean the mess.
Achieve your productivity goals with a clean, organized space. Have only the necessary tools to do your job and leave everything else outside or in a different room, smartphone included. Another way to set the perfect work environment is by using incense or candles and playing some productive music. Productivity music is a genre that enables your brain to stay focused by blocking out distracting noise and mimicking your brain waves.
#6 - Collaborate
Save time by being friendly. If you have other families in your neighborhood, chances are, other moms also want a break. Make friends with your neighbors and build a community where you can support each other. Moms around your block will be delighted to hear that you’d want to swap a few play dates with them.
Offer to watch someone else’s kids during play dates. This will give the other mom time to tackle a task that couldn’t get done before and some much-needed quiet time. You can take the kids to the zoo, have a playdate at the park, have them watch a movie at home, or any other fun activity the kids want to do. Ensure your friend takes turns with you so each mom enjoys a quiet, productive time.
#7 - Single-Task
Yes, you read that right. Do one thing at a time, but do it well. Multi-tasking is the number one enemy of productivity and affects your IQ. Doing many things at once only yields poor results. So pick your biggest task, do your morning routine, and get to it. Don’t save it for later or tell yourself you’ll do it tomorrow. You know that you’ll repeat the pattern. Now is the time.
Your biggest task should always be the first thing you tackle at the beginning of your workday. If you aren’t sure which task may be the most important, write all your to-dos down and organize them by priority. Point number 9 to learn more about how to manage your to-dos.
#8 - Time blocking & boundaries
This time management technique involves dividing your day into blocks of time and assigning specific activities to each block. This makes you more productive by helping you manage your time. With this technique, you stay focused on one task rather than bouncing from one to another.
Some people use a paper planner or calendar to schedule their time blocks, while others use digital tools. To tackle all your productive activities, you need to have boundaries. Don’t let that one coworker pop into your office every 2 hours to distract you. If you say you will work for 3 hours straight, that means no texts, no calls, no emails, and zero distractions. Tackle that one project and then call or text people back.
#9 - To-do and don't-do lists
Everyone talks about the to-do list, but have you heard of the don’t-do list? This is the complete opposite of what you have to do. So if you have to finish the laundry but find yourself scrolling on Tiktok all evening long, then using Tiktok should be on your “don’t-do” list and doing laundry on your to-do list.
Once you have your complete list of dos and don’ts, organize it by priority. Your number one distraction activity at the top alongside your biggest project or task. Say no to procrastination with a dos and don’ts list. You can do this on your smartphone or using a notebook. Choose a method of easy access for you.
#10 - Rewards
You are an adult, and you work hard. You deserve a small reward. You don’t have to book a flight to Europe after cleaning the toilet, but you can enjoy your favorite snack. Find joy in all you do. If you don’t want to fold the laundry that took you hours to wash, tell yourself you’ll get a reward if you finish it. You are a grown person who buys their own snacks.
Your reward can also be 30 minutes of quiet time after working 4 hours straight, a quick yoga session, an ice cream cone, a glass of wine, or anything that brings you joy. Remember not to abuse this method. Every now and then, when you’re lacking motivation, this method will keep you pushing forward. Best of luck!
That is all for today, friends. Manzanilla Sophia hopes this blog helps improve your time management techniques so you can spend more time with yourself. What are some challenges that you discover whenever you try to be productive? What’s your number one issue with staying on schedule? Tell us in a comment or share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. See you next week for another blog on family, motherhood, and productivity. Stay productive!
