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Hey mamas! As a busy mum myself, I know how hard it can be to feel like you have enough hours in the day to get everything done. From work deadlines to school pick-ups, and doctor’s appointments to birthday parties, the to-do list never seems to end. But having better time management skills can help you feel more in control and less stressed. Read on for my top 10 time management tips for busy mums!
1 Wake Up Earlier
Waking up just 30-60 minutes earlier can really boost productivity. Use this time just for yourself before the chaos begins. Maybe enjoy coffee on the patio, do yoga, meditate, exercise, listen to uplifting podcasts, make a healthy breakfast. This morning routine helps you start the day feeling calm, focused and organised. Experiment to find the ideal wake up time that works for your schedule. Even 20-30 extra minutes makes a difference. This will set a positive tone for the whole day ahead.
2 Plan Weekly
Set aside 30-60 dedicated minutes every Sunday to map out the full week ahead. Review your calendar and make note of any regular commitments – your work schedule, kids’ recurring sports practices, school drop-off/pick-up times. Add in one-off appointments or events – like a doctor check-up or birthday party. But also proactively schedule time for your own self-care and priorities. Block out specific time slots for things like going to the gym, meal prepping, catching up with friends or enjoying hobbies. Seeing everything visually mapped out will help reduce anxiety about the week. Knowing what’s coming allows you to feel more in control and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
3 Prioritise Tasks
Not all the tasks on your endless to-do list are created equal. To work more efficiently, break down your list using the Eisenhower Matrix. Identify which items are:
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- Urgent/Important: Anything with a looming deadline that demands immediate attention. Focus on completing these critical tasks first.
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- Important/Not Urgent: Goals and tasks that still matter, even without an imminent deadline. Schedule time in your calendar to ensure these get done.
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- Urgent/Not Important: Time wasters that can be delegated or dropped.
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- Not Important/Not Urgent: Busywork that can be eliminated.
Making progress on urgent/important tasks prevents less crucial items derailing your day. But also carve out time for activities that are still important but not time sensitive. Using this quadrant system keeps you focused.
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4 Batch Similar Tasks
Group related tasks together to maximize efficiency. For example, make all your needed calls in one designated time block, rather than sprinkling phone calls in between other activities all day long. When tackling household chores, do all the vacuuming in one session, then dust all rooms sequentially rather than alternating tasks. Run all your errands together in one outing instead of spreading them out. Batching prevents wasted time constantly switching back and forth between different tasks or mindsets. You can really focus on one type of activity at a time and power through.
5 Delegate
As busy mums, we often overload our own plates trying to do everything ourselves. But judiciously delegating tasks lifts the burden so you can focus on only what YOU really need to do. Make a list of tasks suitable to delegate to others:
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- Your partner could share school drop-offs/pick-ups. Or own grocery shopping once a week.
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- Kids can do age-appropriate chores like tidying bedrooms, folding laundry, feeding pets.
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- Outsource tasks like grocery delivery or house cleaning if it fits within your budget.
Giving away non-essential tasks to others gives you precious time to spend on what only you can do. You’ll be freed up for high-priority items.
6 Take Five
When your schedule moves straight from one task or meeting to another all day long, it’s easy to end up rushed and frazzled. Build in small 5-minute buffer breaks between activities. Use this time to go to the bathroom, check emails, make a cup of tea, return an urgent phone call, do a quick meditation or stretch. Having even a short mental and physical break helps you transition focused between tasks instead of just frantically rushing. And guard against booking yourself back-to-back all day long. Protect those occasional 5-minute windows. You’ll be amazed how much more refreshed and productive you feel.
7 Be Proactive
Don’t wait until you’re drowning under endless overwhelming tasks to take action. Identify anything that can be done in advance:
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- Meal prep healthy dinners or lunches for the week over the weekend.
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- Lay out everyone’s clothes, pack backpacks and make lunches the night before school/work.
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- Schedule kids’ sports practices, playdates and doctor appointments well in advance.
Being proactive reduces late nights scrambling to catch up. And makes morning routines go smoother when items are ready to grab and go. A little bit of early preparation prevents massive headaches down the road.
8 Avoid Multitasking
While multitasking may seem like an efficient way to get more done, research shows it actually reduces focus and results in more mistakes. Because the brain can only fully concentrate on one task at a time, you lose clarity when jumping back and forth between different activities. Where possible, give your singular, undivided attention to finishing one task before moving to the next activity. You’ll finish each activity quicker and with better accuracy.
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9 Use Productivity Apps
Take advantage of technology to help streamline your schedule. Apps like:
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- Trello for creating organised to-do lists and boards
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- Evernote to take notes, set reminders and capture ideas
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- Calendar to set alerts and reminders so nothing slips through the cracks
Sync calendars with your partner so you can coordinate schedules. And ticking completed tasks off your to-do list gives you a sense of progress.
10 Schedule Me Time
Don’t forget to make time just for YOURSELF in your calendar – not just everyone else’s needs! Plan regular activities that recharge you like reading, taking a luxurious bubble bath, having a girls night out, or doing a hobby like gardening. Protect this time by scheduling it in advance, before other commitments consume your calendar. Recharging your own battery is crucial so you have energy to better care for others. You can’t pour from an empty cup – prioritise your own oxygen mask first.
Which of these productivity tips resonates most for you busy supermamas? Share any other wisdom on what helps you juggle it all while staying sane! Let’s swap advice in the comments.