Homemaker Time Management Hacks for Productivity

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As a homemaker, there is always something that needs to be done. And sometimes, it’s challenging to keep up with our many responsibilities and daily tasks. Trust me, I’m all too familiar with those challenges. That’s why I put together some time management hacks and productivity tips to help you meet those homemaking expectations. Hi, I’m Kacie- a nurse turned homemaker and a mom of 16 years. I’ve had plenty of experience (successes and failures) and it’s my heart to help other mothers out there make the most of nurturing home and family. These time management hacks are essential in helping you improve your productivity and efficiency as a homemaker.

What Does Poor Time Management Look like at Home?

• Chronic Procrastination
• Missed Deadlines
• Clutter and Disorganization
• Frequent Rushing
• Neglected Self-Care
• Unfinished Projects
• Missed Family Time
• Over-commitment
• Ineffective Multitasking
• Neglected Priorities

So how do we make the most of our time at home? Here’s how I’ve completely transformed my days as a homemaker…

Utilize a Planner

Let me begin with I don’t know how I would manage my life without my planner.

And if you don’t have one, then I urge you to purchase one and start using it asap.

Planners are beneficial in helping homemakers keep track of appointments, deadlines, important events, and household tasks.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. My planner is very basic, but it is everything I need.

I’m a highly visual person so my planner has been life saving in keeping me organized.

Prioritize Tasks

Prioritizing tasks plays an important role in productivity as a homemaker.

We can’t do it all– no matter how much we try to convince ourselves otherwise.

Take the pressure off of yourself by prioritizing what is important, what is time sensitive, and what can wait. Then, go from there!

Some tasks will have to be put on the back burner and that is perfectly okay.

Related: Benefits of Being a Homemaker (Homemaking Advantages)

Establish Routines (One of My Top Home Management Hacks for Homemakers)

Establishing a routine is a highly effective time management strategy (I can absolutely vouch for this).

It brings structure and efficiency to daily tasks by providing a clear plan for each day.

Routines save time by eliminating the need to decide what to do next, making daily activities more streamlined and less chaotic.

Once you repeat that routine, it just becomes second nature , allowing you to move through tasks with ease.

And, of course, routines offer predictability and structure to a your day as a homemaker. Knowing when to tackle household chores, allocate time for work-related tasks, or engage in self-care activities brings order to daily life.

This predictability can significantly reduce stress levels by providing a reliable framework for managing responsibilities.

Consistency is another benefit of routines.

By streamlining daily activities, routines free up time for us homemakers to focus on their top priorities, whether it’s spending quality time with family, pursuing personal interests, or excelling in our careers.

Knowing that there is a structured plan for the day can bring a sense of calm and control, even in the midst of a busy homemaking schedule.

And we all know that our days just run smoother when we have structure and a rhythm to our lives as homemakers.

Schedule Household Tasks

So, as homemakers, we know that our days can get pretty hectic, right? That’s why scheduling household tasks is such a smart move. It helps us plan our day better by allocating specific times for things like cleaning, laundry, baking, and grocery shopping.

I have a schedule for these household tasks hanging on my fridge. While I may not follow it daily, it’s a good back up when I’m struggling to find my rhythm.

Trust me, this time management hack has saved me more than once. It ensures we don’t forget important chores and keeps our home organized.

So, if you haven’t tried it yet, consider creating a task schedule. It’s a game-changer for us homemakers and mamas, helping us maintain efficiency and control in our daily lives.

Related: 15 Tips to Stop Being a Lazy Stay at Home Mom

Utilize Grocery Pick up and/or InstaCart

I don’t want to be overly dramatic here, but grocery pick up has changed my life (haha)- truly.

Grocery pick up is not only convenient, but it saves time! I’ve also found it reduces the likelihood of impulse purchases.

Sometimes I wouldn’t realize I “needed” something until I saw it on the shelf. Now, I get to eliminate those occasions- because…well, did I really even need it in the first place?

Honestly, you just can’t go wrong with grocery pick up, in my opinion, especially when it comes to time management for homemaking.

Related: 10 Easy Meal Planning Tips for Busy Moms

Reduce Social Media Consumption

Social media is a huge distraction that often leads to decreased productivity. Scrolling disrupts workflow and can really mess with your groove- and quick.

If there is one thing that can easily disrupt my focus as a homemaker, it’s social media. And that’s just the productivity aspect. The effects it can have on your mental health is an entirely different story.

Balance is essential when it comes to social media and reducing consumption of it is one of my top time management hacks for homemakers!

Silence Phone Notifications

We all know the feeling – that constant ping of text messages, social media updates, and email notifications.

Those text alerts and social media and email notifications are meant to disrupt you. And, they are typically successful in doing so.

Over the years, it’s become muscle memory to check and clear my notifications if my phone is nearby.

Silencing those notifications can help keep you on task, reducing frequent interruptions that are unimportant at the time.

Here’s why silencing them is a game-changer:

Minimize Distractions: Studies show that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain full focus after a distraction. Silencing phone notifications prevents these frequent interruptions, allowing us to concentrate better on tasks at hand.

Boost Productivity: The allure of social media can be overwhelming. According to research, the average person spends about 2 hours and 22 minutes per day on social networking sites. Silencing notifications helps curb this habit, giving us back valuable time for more productive activities.

Enhance Mental Well-being: Constant notifications can contribute to stress and anxiety. A study found that reducing smartphone notifications led to significant decreases in overall stress levels. By silencing our phones, we create a more peaceful environment.

Prioritize Quality Time: Constant phone alerts can interfere with our ability to be fully present in the moment. Silencing notifications during family time, work hours, or relaxation periods allows us to prioritize quality interactions and tasks.

Preserve Battery Life: An added benefit of silencing notifications is preserving your phone’s battery life. Unnecessary notifications can drain your battery faster, so turning them off can extend your device’s usability throughout the day.

By silencing phone notifications, we regain control over our attention and time. It’s a simple yet effective strategy to minimize distractions, boost productivity, reduce stress, and prioritize what truly matters in our daily lives.

Eliminate Background Noise (Time Management Hack for Homemakers Who are Easily Distracted- Like ME!)

Too much background noise really throws me off. I actually don’t even turn the tv on unless I’m listening to nature sounds or something to that effect.

Not only is excessive background noise distracting, but it’s overstimulating as well.

And if I’m overstimulated or distracted, them I’m not being productive or managing my time to the best of my ability.

By making an effort to reduce background noise, we create a more conducive environment for focused and productive homemaking.

It’s a small adjustment that can lead to significant improvements in managing our time effectively and maintaining a sense of calm amidst the demands of daily life.

Meal Planning is a Huge Time Management Hack for Homemakers

This is a time management hack for homemakers that has transformed my homemaking journey.

Planning meals in advance saves time on meal prep and grocery shopping. Knowing what is for dinner and having all the ingredients on hands eliminates the stress of figuring out what’s for dinner and scrambling for necessary ingredients at the last minute.

Planning our meals in advance has been such a huge load lifted. And since I’m no longer rushed, it has made cooking for my family much more enjoyable and less stressful

Automate When Possible

Automate certain bills so that you aren’t having to take time out of your day to log in to your apps and schedule them or send them by mail. Automation is so nice because it does the work for you, saving you time.

And in the homemaking space, we all know how precious our time is. So, for the sake of homemaker time management hacks and productivity….

Here are some ways to automate bills to simplify your financial management:

Online Bill Pay

Most banks offer online bill pay services. You can set up recurring payments for bills like rent or mortgage, utilities, and insurance. Just log in to your bank’s online portal, add your payees, and schedule payments.

Automatic Withdrawals

Many companies, such as utility providers and loan servicers, offer automatic withdrawal options. You provide your bank account details, and they deduct the amount due on the specified date each month.

Credit Card Auto-Pay

If you prefer using a credit card for payments, set up auto-pay for recurring bills. You can link your credit card to various accounts and specify the payment amount and due date.

Bill Payment Apps

There are apps designed to help you manage and automate your bills. These apps allow you to add your accounts, schedule payments, and receive reminders.

Check with Service Providers

Contact your service providers, such as cable, internet, or streaming services, to see if they offer automated billing options. Many do and can set up recurring payments from your bank account or credit card.

Use Bill Pay Services

Some banks offer dedicated bill pay services that allow you to automate payments directly through their platform. They can send checks or make electronic transfers on your behalf.

Employ Payroll Deductions

For expenses like retirement savings, health insurance premiums, or charitable donations, check if your employer offers payroll deductions. These deductions are often automated, and the funds are deducted from your paycheck before you receive it.

Set Up Alerts and Reminders

Even if you automate payments, it’s a good idea to set up alerts and reminders to monitor your account activity. Many banking apps and financial software allow you to receive notifications for account balances, upcoming bills, or suspicious activity.

Set Boundaries and Learn to Say No

I struggled with this one for a loooong time. But how freeing it has been once I put boundaries in place and learned to say no to the things that did not serve me or the things I couldn’t accommodate at that specific time.

You can’t say yes to everything so learn what to say no to so that you are able to say yes to the right things in your specific season.

One of the most liberating yet challenging aspects of time management is setting clear boundaries and gracefully saying no when necessary.

Here’s why setting boundaries is an essential homemaker time management hack:

• Protect Your Time: As homemakers, our time is precious, and there are countless demands on it. Setting boundaries allows you to protect your time and allocate it to activities that truly matter, whether it’s quality family moments, personal self-care, or essential tasks.
• Avoid Overcommitting: The desire to be helpful and accommodating is admirable, but overcommitting can lead to burnout and inefficiency. Learning to say no to tasks or commitments that exceed your capacity ensures that you can fulfill your responsibilities effectively.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Homemakers often put others’ needs before their own, neglecting self-care. Setting boundaries enables you to prioritize your well-being. It’s not selfish; it’s self-preservation, ensuring you have the energy and resilience to meet daily challenges.
• Focus on Your Priorities: By saying no to distractions and non-essential commitments, you free up mental and emotional space for your priorities. It’s about being intentional with your time and dedicating it to the tasks and activities that align with your homemaking goals.
• Maintain Work-Life Balance: Boundaries help maintain a healthy work-life balance. They allow you to define clear boundaries between work, homemaking, and personal time, preventing one from overwhelming the others.
• Empower Your Yes: Saying no when appropriate empowers your yes. It means that when you do say yes to something, you can commit wholeheartedly, knowing you have the capacity and focus to make it a success.
• Reduce Stress: Over-commitment and blurred boundaries can lead to stress and a sense of being overwhelmed. Setting clear boundaries and saying no as needed can significantly reduce stress levels.

Get Your Family Involved

The responsibilities of the home shouldn’t fall on your shoulders alone. It takes a family to make a home.

Have your family chip in and lighten your load as a homemaker. Delegating certain tasks to your children not only takes the load off of you, but teaches them responsibility.

Ask your husband to pitch in where and when he can, whether that be cooking a meal, cleaning up after dinner, giving baths, helping with homework, etc.

Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

I could talk about this time management hack for homemakers all day long, but I’m just gonna get straight to the point here. So, let me make this real clear- YOU ARE ONLY ONE PERSON.

Stop trying to carry on the responsibility of three. I know as homemakers we want to do all the things, but realistically, it’s not possible- at least not at once.

Set realistic goals and expectations and stop over-scheduling yourself then feeling like a failure when you can’t meet all of your unrealistic expectations.

Make Time for Rest

In the hustle and bustle of homemaking, it’s easy to underestimate the value of rest. However, rest is not just a luxury; it’s a strategic and productive choice that can positively impact your daily life.

Rest is productive.

Taking breaks helps you avoid burnout and leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take on your many tasks.

Here’s why incorporating intentional rest periods into your routine is essential:

• Prevent Burnout: Homemakers often wear multiple hats, juggling numerous responsibilities. Without adequate rest, the risk of burnout increases significantly. Taking breaks allows you to recharge mentally and emotionally, reducing the risk of exhaustion.
• Enhance Focus and Creativity: Rest provides your mind with the opportunity to rejuvenate. When you take a break, whether it’s a short walk, a moment of meditation, or simply closing your eyes, you give your brain a chance to reset. This can lead to improved focus, problem-solving abilities, and creativity when you return to your tasks.
• Stress Reduction: Continuous work without breaks can elevate stress levels. Moments of rest help alleviate stress by lowering cortisol levels, promoting relaxation, and allowing you to approach your tasks with a calmer mindset.
• Well-being: Rest is not just about mental rejuvenation; it’s also vital for physical well-being. Taking short breaks throughout the day, stretching, or engaging in light physical activity can alleviate muscle tension and reduce the risk of physical fatigue.
• Quality Time with Family: Making time for rest ensures that you have the energy and presence to enjoy quality moments with your family. Whether it’s playing with your children, having a meaningful conversation with your partner, or simply being fully present during family activities, rest helps you engage more effectively.
• Maintain Consistency: Regular breaks and adequate rest contribute to maintaining consistent productivity over the long term. Rather than relying on short bursts of intense work followed by exhaustion, a balanced approach with regular rest ensures sustainable productivity.

Re-Evaluate Regularly

How are you doing? Are you lacking in a specific area?

Take time to re-evaluate and figure out what you can improve on, what you need to prioritize, and what you can eliminate completely to lighten your load.

Remember, we can do anything- just not at the same time.

Productivity and Time Management Hacks for Homemakers Conclusion

Productivity and Time Management Hacks for Homemakers include:

• Utilize a Planner
• Prioritize Tasks
• Establish Routines
• Schedule Household Tasks
• Utilize Grocery Pick Up
• Reduce Social Media Consumption
• Silence Phone Notifications
• Eliminate Background Noise
• Meal Plan
• Automate When Possible
• Set Boundaries and Learn to Say No
• Get Your Family Involved
• Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
• Make Time for Rest
• Regularly Re-Evaluate

And, as always, I’m wishing you and your home lots of love, wellness, and joy. I’m rooting for you, Mama.

-Love, Kacie

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