Since becoming a mom, I’ve come to realize a whole new definition of what it means to be busy! Regardless of whether you work full-time or are a stay-at-home mom, having little ones adds in responsibilities and commitments…and learning to juggle it all can be the biggest challenge! I wanted to share a few tips on how to be productive that I’ve learned along the way that have helped me when it comes to managing my time.
1. Work in 25-minute blocks. There is a popular time-management method called the Pomodoro Technique and it’s been a huge help for me! The basic premise is basically to break down your work into short intervals, usually 25 minutes in length. Once the interval is complete, then a short break can be taken. While 25-minutes isn’t necessarily a long time, all other distractions are off limits during that time. I turn my phone to airplane mode, close all extraneous browser windows, and put my headphones on to get into the zone. For those 25 minutes, my attention is completely set on finishing the task at hand. I let myself take a quick 3-5 minute break once the interval is over and then I get right back into it. Having a solid chunk of time to work without distractions lets me get my work done while the breaks let me check up on social media but not get sucked in for longer than 5 minutes at a time. Win-win!
2. Wear a bathrobe over day clothes until you’re ready to leave. Mornings are always a bit crazy as I’m scrambling to get myself ready for work, the kids dressed for school, and cook breakfast for everyone before they head out the door. I can’t tell you how many times in the past I’ve spilled something on my outfit or had the kids stain my clothes with their dirty fingers and I’ve had to spend double the time to get changed and ready for the day. Since then, I’ve just put my bathrobe on over my day clothes as I’m cooking and getting the entire house fed. The bathrobe may get a few splotches but my outfit remains clean, which means I can still leave the house on time! I picked up this super cute Kate Spade robe a few months ago and am linking up lots of other options below (how cute is this confetti heart one?):
3. Do double-duty in the shower. Rare are the day when I can take long 20-minute showers. I love using an exfoliating scrub when I’m in the shower as nothing beats the feeling of super soft skin, but more often than not I now have a toddler who’s impatiently waiting on me (sometimes right outside the shower door!). Fortunately I can cleanse and exfoliate in one step with the latest cleansing duos from P&G! These little sponges are pre-loaded with body cleanser and one side is designed to cleanse while the other side exfoliates. It actually provides 2X better clean than basic body wash + puff! There are 3 scent options (Olay, Ivory, and Old Spice); I can guarantee that they will leave you and your bathroom smelling so good all day. I picked up my DUO Body Cleansers from Walgreens, my go-to retailer whenever I want to just pop in for something quick and convenient. They’re on sale for under $10 and you can save an additional $2 now with this P&G eSaver coupon!
4. Clean every day. Cleaning is not my favorite, but unfortunately it can easily pile up to be an arduous task if it’s not kept up with every day. My tip? Set a timer at the end of the day for 10 minutes, assign a cleaning task to each of the kiddos, and rush around the house cleaning up as much as possible. From putting away the dishes to throwing laundry in the wash, it’s a fun time where everyone is diligently putting the house back in order! We started both my little ones around 2 years old with simple chores around the house such as putting their clothes in the hamper and picking up their toys. It all ends with a big high five and the team effort makes it a great way to end the day as a family!
5. Make your bed in the morning. And last but not least, I’m a big stickler on making the bed. While making the bed may not seem like much of a productivity tip, I’ve since realized that by spending the couple of minutes to make the bed each morning actually helps set off a chain reaction of other productive habits. By making the decision to start off the day with a positive habit, it kick starts your brain into making other good decisions and success-building habits. Try it and you’ll see!
For more mom tips:
- 5 Beauty Hacks for the Busy Mom
- A New Mom Guide: 7 Tips
- 5 Tips for Being a More Mindful + Patient Parent
- 5 Tips to Lose Baby Weight
- Pampering Essentials for Busy Moms
Do you have any productivity tips you swear by? I’d love to hear in the comments!
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Thanks for your tips 😉 Making the bed in the morning are one of my morning routines as well, and if I don’t do it my whole day is messed up 🙂
Jovita
http://www.b-vanilla.com