The Most Productive Moms Don’t Do More… They Do What Matters First
I used to wake up every morning already feeling behind.
The second my eyes opened, my brain would start running through my mental to-do list:
✔ Did I sign that permission slip?
✔ I need to prep dinner.
✔ Oh, and I forgot to book that doctor’s appointment.
✔ And shoot… when was that work deadline again?
Before I even had a second to breathe, I was in full-on reaction mode… dealing with kids’ meltdowns, answering school Whatsapp group messages, handling last-minute work requests, checking off small tasks just to feel productive.
And by the end of the day? I’d collapse into bed, exhausted but wondering, What did I actually get done?
Because the things that truly mattered… the things that would make me feel present with my kids, that would actually move my business forward, that would give me breathing room… kept getting pushed to “later.”
And let’s be honest… “later” usually meant never.
It took me a long time to realise this, but when I did, everything changed:
The most productive moms don’t do more... they just do what matters first.
I know that sounds simple, but when you’re constantly pulled in a million directions, it’s easy to get caught up in the urgent and never make time for the important.
For me, that shift meant:
✅ Prioritising deep work while my kids are at school so I can be present when they’re home.
✅ Scheduling movement into my day before tackling my to-do list… because taking care of myself makes me a better mom and business owner.
✅ Saying yes to networking events because connection is a huge value for me, but not at the expense of family time or personal well-being.
It’s not about doing more… it’s about making sure what you’re doing aligns with what actually matters to you.
So here’s my question for you: Are your days filled with what’s urgent… or what’s important?
Because the way you spend your time is shaping your life. And if you’re constantly busy but still feeling behind, it might be time to shift the way you’re structuring your day.
Why You Always Feel Behind
If you’ve ever gone to bed exhausted, staring at a never-ending to-do list, wondering How did I do so much today but still feel like I got nothing done?—you’re not alone.
Most moms I talk to say the same thing:
📌 “There’s never enough time.”
📌 “I’m constantly busy but feel like I get nothing done.”
📌 “I go to bed exhausted, but my to-do list is still a mile long.”
And the problem isn’t that you’re lazy, disorganised, or “just need to be more productive.” It’s that your days are running in reactive mode instead of intentional mode… and that makes all the difference.
What’s Keeping You Stuck in the Cycle of Busyness?
✅ We mistake urgency for importance.
The school emails, the last-minute requests, the “Mom, I need this for tomorrow!” moments… everything feels urgent, so we jump on it immediately. But just because something feels pressing doesn’t mean it actually matters in the bigger picture.
How many times have you dropped everything for something “urgent,” only to look back later and realise it wasn’t that important after all?
✅ We start the day in reaction mode.
Before we even think about our priorities, we’re already handling everyone else’s.
➡️ Checking messages before we even get out of bed.
➡️ Breaking up sibling fights before we’ve had a sip of coffee.
➡️ Throwing in a load of laundry while scrolling emails.
Our time gets taken before we even claim it. And once we start the day reacting, it’s hard to shift back into control.
✅ We don’t have a system for prioritising.
Without a clear way to decide what actually matters, we fill our days with tasks that feel productive… but aren’t actually moving us forward.
Ever find yourself:
➡️ Cleaning the kitchen instead of tackling that work project?
➡️ Organising the closet instead of booking that long-overdue appointment?
➡️ Checking WhatsApp messages instead of spending 10 uninterrupted minutes with your kids?
Without a system, we default to doing more instead of doing what’s actually meaningful.
✅ Guilt keeps us stuck.
Moms especially struggle to prioritise themselves because there’s this constant feeling that we should be doing something for someone else first.
The reality is: When you’re constantly reacting, you’re not showing up as your best self for anyone… not your kids, not your work, and definitely not yourself.
The Productivity Shift: Doing What Matters First
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly busy but never actually getting anywhere, you’re not alone. Moms are pros at juggling a million things (school schedules, work deadlines, meal planning, laundry piles, endless to-do lists) but at the end of the day, it can still feel like nothing really got done.
The truth? The most productive moms don’t do more… they do what matters first.
So how do we break out of the cycle of busyness and start focusing on what actually moves the needle? It comes down to three simple but powerful shifts.
1️⃣ Get Clear on What Actually Matters
Not everything on your to-do list is equally important. Some tasks push you forward, while others just keep you busy.
So before you even start your day, ask yourself:
✔️ What are my biggest priorities right now?
✔️ What tasks bring me closer to my goals?
✔️ What actually makes me feel fulfilled at the end of the day?
For me, this meant taking a hard look at my values and aligning my schedule accordingly:
✔️ Family time is non-negotiable, so I do the majority of my work while my kids are at school. If I do need to work when they’re home, I keep it light (quick emails or low-focus tasks) so I can still be present.
✔️ Movement is a huge priority, so I schedule my workouts before I start my workday. It’s not an afterthought… it’s built into my routine.
✔️ Connection is important, so I make time for networking events and socialising… but not at the expense of my other priorities. If it clashes with family time or self-care, I say no.
When you define what truly matters to you, decision-making becomes so much easier. You stop filling your schedule with things that drain you and start prioritising the things that fill you up.
2️⃣ Stop Letting “Urgent” Take Over Your Day
Ever notice how one email can derail your entire morning? Or how a “quick task” turns into an hour-long distraction?
That’s because we’re wired to react to urgency. But the reality? Not everything that feels urgent is actually important.
The fix? Start your day with what matters FIRST… before diving into the noise.
For me, that means:
✔️ Tackling my most important task before checking emails or messages.
(If I start with my inbox, my whole day gets hijacked.)
✔️ Prioritising deep, focused work in the morning before I touch small admin tasks.
(Creative work first, logistics later.)
✔️ Taking care of myself first (whether that’s working out, journaling, or just having coffee in peace)
because when I do, I show up better for everything else.
The key? If you don’t claim your time first, everything else will.
3️⃣ Protect Your Energy Like It’s Your Most Valuable Resource
Not all tasks require the same level of energy.
Think about it:
→ Planning your week takes more focus than answering a quick text.
→ Having a deep conversation with your child takes more emotional energy than ordering groceries.
If you’re always exhausted, it’s not just because you’re doing too much… it’s because you’re spending your best energy on the wrong things.
🌟 Pro tip: Identify your peak energy hours and use them for the tasks that matter most.
For most moms, this is:
⏰ Early morning (before the kids wake up).
⏰ Nap time or school hours (when you have uninterrupted time).
⏰ Evening wind-down (if you work best at night).
Block that time for the things that actually move your life forward… whether that’s spending 30 minutes on a work project, booking a long-overdue doctor’s appointment, or simply having an actual breakfast before the chaos begins.
The bottom line? Productivity isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters.
When you shift your focus from checking off endless tasks to prioritising the things that actually move the needle, everything changes. You stop feeling like you’re just keeping up and start feeling like you’re actually in control of your time.
A Simple Exercise: Reverse Planning for a Productive Day
Most of us plan our days by making a giant to-do list and then trying to squeeze everything in. But let’s be honest… how often does that actually work?
By midday, unexpected tasks pop up, distractions pull us away, and by the time we crawl into bed, the most important things often stay unchecked.
Instead of looking back at how you spent your time, let’s flip the script. Let’s plan your next productive day in reverse… starting with what actually matters.
Step 1: Identify Your Top Priority for Tomorrow
Before anything else, ask yourself:
👉 If I could only accomplish ONE thing tomorrow that would make the biggest difference in my life, what would it be?
This isn’t about what feels urgent… it’s about what is going to make the biggest difference in a meaningful way.
Your priority might be:
✅ Finishing an important work task that’s been hanging over your head.
✅ Spending intentional, distraction-free time with your kids… no phone, no multitasking.
✅ Taking 30 minutes for yourself… exercise, journaling, or simply a quiet coffee before the chaos begins.
Whatever it is, this becomes the anchor for your day.
Step 2: Block Out Time for It FIRST
Once you know your priority, schedule it before anything else.
If it’s a work task → Block off time during your peak focus hours (for most moms, this is early morning or while kids are at school).
If it’s self-care → Schedule it before the day gets away from you… first thing in the morning or right after school drop-off.
If it’s quality time with your kids → Plan for it before other responsibilities eat up your attention.
The mistake most people make? They try to fit their priorities around everything else. Instead, lock it in first, then work the rest of your tasks around it.
Step 3: Decide What Can Be Delayed, Delegated, or Deleted
Now that your top priority is set, it’s time to clear the noise.
Look at everything else you “think” you need to do tomorrow and ask yourself:
Does this actually need to happen? → If not, delete it.
Can someone else handle it? → If yes, delegate it.
Can this wait until later in the week? → If yes, delay it.
Too often, we waste time on things that aren’t truly necessary. Give yourself permission to cut the excess.
The result? A day that works for YOU.
By the time you wake up tomorrow, you’ll already know exactly what matters most… and you’ll have a plan to protect your time.
Because the most productive moms aren’t doing more… they’re just making sure they do what matters first.
Take Back Control of Your Time
When you begin with what’s important (not just what’s urgent) you’ll notice a huge difference in how your days feel. You’ll go from constantly playing catch-up to actually feeling in control of your time.
And if you want deeper support in figuring out what truly matters to you and how to structure your days around it, I have something exciting coming soon. Follow me on Instagram @east2westmama, DM me CLARITY, and I’ll send you the details!
If this spoke to you, send it to a friend who needs to hear it… and don’t forget to follow for more!