Productivity as a WFH Mom

Staying productive as a work-from-home mom is not for the weak. You’re always in a loop of taking care of the kid(s), cleaning, cooking, and by the time housework is done, it’s already evening, you’re tired, and work is not even done.

The next day, you decide to start with work, and now there are distractions everywhere from things looking a mess, and this overstimulates you. So nothing is completed on this day, too.

You have tried time management apps, timers, and listened to productivity podcasts, but still everything is the same.

The thing with productivity is that it requires immense discipline and immediate action. It’s defined as the ability to work efficiently within a certain time period to maximize output.

There are only 24 hours in a day to fit all these chores, and if you don’t plan your day and only rely on motivation, it’s highly likely that you will not maximize your output, hence the burnout.

Here are 9 ideas that will help you make use of the time you have to maximize your output and become productive.

1. Identify your golden window time

Identify the time when there is less distraction. It may be early in the morning when everyone is asleep, or when the kids are in school, or in the evening when everyone has gone to bed.

Use this time to do the work that requires deep focus and the most attention. It’s also important to time yourself and plan for the job beforehand to prevent brain fog when it’s actually time to complete the job.

Even if it’s one or two hours of the job done, at least it’s one step toward finishing the task.

2. Create a flexible daily routine

With kids, you never know when something is going to happen. Your child may get sick out of nowhere or even get into minor accidents that would require your full attention.

So a rigid hour-by-hour schedule might not be ideal as a wfh mom. Instead, write down a checklist of nonnegotiable tasks that need to be done by the end of the day, whatever the time.

Make strategic use of your golden window to handle your most mentally consuming tasks, such as deep-focus projects, and then batch the rest of your routine administrative chores for later.

3. Establish a dedicated workstation at your house

Yes, just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you need to be in pajamas and a bonnet with your laptop on your bed or couch, working every other day.

Establish a dedicated workspace in your home where it screams professionalism and business. This area can be a corner in your bedroom or living room, or an extra room you have in your house.

At times, make a point to show up at your workstation dressed with your hair done, and see how that impacts your brain. Adopting a professional appearance can trigger a powerful psychological shift, boosting your focus and daily productivity.

4. Get help whenever you can/Outsource

Yes, there is no reward or special medal for suffering while trying to be a “superwoman.” Taking on every single responsibility alone doesn’t make you more successful; it often only leads to unnecessary exhaustion.

Whether it is batch cooking meals for the week, utilizing delivery services instead of spending time picking items up at the store, or relying on daycare and automated cleaning machines, these strategies are essential for maintaining balance.

You might even hire a professional cleaning service to significantly ease the domestic load. The goal is to do anything possible to minimize the daily grind, allowing you to reclaim more time for yourself and focus on the meaningful things that truly require your full, undivided attention.

5. Move your body

You will most likely feel sluggish after sitting behind a desk for hours without moving. If you can, join a nearby gym, or have daily walks around the neighborhood for at least 30 mins.

You can also do simple workout routines at home from the numerous YouTube tutorials. Just find what works for you with the time that you have.

6. Write things down: schedules, journals

Running a household with kids and managing a job are two different entities. Having to remember the schedules, appointments, deadlines, or even simple chores at home can be daunting for the brain.

Writing everything down releases the mental load on your brain and helps you concentrate on the task at hand. I often compare it to having numerous tabs and windows open in your browser, which sometimes feels stressful, but when the task is finished and you’re done with the tabs, closing them feels like a load has been taken off.

So brain dump everything in a notebook, or write about how you are feeling in a journal and see how that does wonders for you before you begin your day or after a busy day.

7. Master your menstrual cycle

100% to this. As women, our energy levels fluctuate throughout the month; one day you are okay and the next one you feel like things are falling apart. And funny thing is that this is 100% normal.

If you master your follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases, things might be easier, and the changes in your moods or energy levels won’t come as a surprise.

During the follicular and ovulatory phase is when, you have the most energy and feel positive about yourself. This is the best time to do the heavy tasks that require the most concentration.

The luteal and menstrual phase is when the energy levels are low and you most probably feel like things are falling apart. This is the best time to do admin tasks, planning for the next batch of work, or even taking time off once in a while.

RELATED: How to Work With Your Menstrual Cycle Instead of Against It

8. Don’t forget yourself

It’s common to lose yourself in motherhood and responsibilities that you end up forgetting the lively person you once were. If this continues for a long time, burnout and resentment might start to creep in.

You can not be the same person you were before motherhood, but you also cannot abandon everything that made you the person you are before.

Sit with yourself and identify what made you happy before all the changes and incorporate it into your new life.

9. Dedicate a day off to doing absolutely nothing

In the current world, we are always preaching to stay in your grind and hustle hard. If you are always in work mode without rest, burnout will catch up, and it will be brutal to your mental health. Dedicate a day in a week or maybe twice a month to doing absolutely nothing.

Take this day to sleep in, watch movies that don’t require critical thinking, or even explore the beautiful places in your country.

10. Teach your kids to be independent

As early as three years old, you can teach your children to do age-appropriate things for themselves, which teaches them to be responsible as they grow up and, in turn, makes things easier for you.

Let them learn to feed themselves, make their bed, put their toys away, or even entertain themselves for a few minutes.

This will give you room to breathe as they become self-sufficient even when they grow older.

11. Have non-money-related hobbies

In this era, money is literally everything, and everyone is preaching to monetise anything you can do. But if you monetise even the simplest thing, it becomes a job and not something you do because you like.

You can pick up crocheting and make cute things for yourself or even join simple dancing classes. This separates your main job and hobbies and removes the pressure of having to be perfect.

There you have it, it-girls, not everything is one-size-fits-all. Pick whatever works for you and be productive, as your future depends on you.

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