We’ve all heard the term “work-life balance,” but let’s be honest: balance is fleeting. Imagine spinning a dozen plates at once; it’s mesmerizing while it works, but eventually, one will topple. Balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistently recalibrating. As a former gymnast who still watches athletes in awe during the Olympics, I have lived and learned balance is a momentary beauty. And that’s the key: it’s a moment, not a permanent state.
So when it comes to balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, I’m extremely done with chasing perfection. Instead, I’m chasing alignment—a life where my work, home, and personal goals exist in cohesion, even if they don’t get the same energy every day. The productivity hacks I’m about to share aren’t about creating a flawless system. They’re tools I use to realign my life with what matters most, and I hope they help you do the same.
1. Claiming Resets Over Routines
Routines are fantastic until life throws a wrench in the works—trust me, I’ve been there way more times than I can count. Between juggling the kids for school drop-offs, stacking up podcast guest calls, surprise tantrums, and the inevitable coffee spill right before my next meeting, sticking to a rigid schedule often feels impossible. And when I tried to force routines to work no matter what, it left me feeling more frazzled than productive. My routines were meant to do the opposite! That’s when I realized that flexibility wasn’t just a nice-to-have; it was essential for my sanity.
Instead of obsessing over perfect routines, I’ve embraced the magic of resets. A reset is a simple, intentional act that helps me reclaim focus and calm amidst the chaos— something that feels like I hit a reset button on my day (rather than feeling like the whole thing is a bust!)
These can be a quick five-minute breather with my favorite playlist, tidying up my workspace to clear mental clutter, sitting in silence, doing a quick run on the treadmill, or stepping outside for a moment of fresh air. These small resets remind me that I don’t have to wait for the perfect conditions to get back on track. It’s about giving myself permission to pause and restart, no matter how messy the day gets.
5-Minute Quick Win: Take five minutes to identify one reset activity that works for you. Maybe it’s sipping tea, journaling, or simply taking a few deep breaths. Set a timer and allow yourself that micro-moment to reset today.
Related: Screw Morning Routines, Do This Instead!
2. Focusing on Your “Big 3 Tasks”
This one is really about getting clarity on your priorities for the day. At the start of each work day, I take a moment to identify my “Big 3” tasks—the three most important things I need to accomplish before the day is through. Why just three? Because let’s be honest: the to-do list never really ends, and trying to tackle it all is a recipe for burnout.
By narrowing my focus to what truly matters, I can cut through the overwhelm and actually make progress on the things that move the needle. Some days, those priorities are business-related, like putting the finishing touches on our next launch; other days, they’re personal, like taking intentional time for sitting on the kitchen floor while Coco regales me about her day at school.
What I love about this practice is how adaptable it is. My “Big 3” changes based on the season I’m in or the rhythm of the day ahead. It’s not about cramming in as much as possible—it’s about aligning my actions with my values.
Whether it’s prioritizing a meaningful project or taking time for self-care, this approach helps me focus on what’s most impactful, not just what’s most urgent. (Because sometimes other people’s urgency doesn’t need to become mine!) By the end of the day, I actually feel accomplished—not because I checked off everything, but because I spent my energy on what truly mattered.
5-Minute Quick Win: Write down your Big 3 for today. Keep them visible—on a sticky note or in your phone—and let them guide your focus.
Related: My Exact Journaling Practice and How It’s Changed My Life
3. Setting Massive Boundaries
I’m talking about boundaries around literally… everything. Boundaries are my lifeline, and I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that they’re not just nice in theory—they’re essential in practice. Saying “no” unapologetically used to feel extremely uncomfortable for me (I am from the Midwest, it’s in our blood), but now it’s one of the most empowering things I do. I say no a lot.
My time is my most valuable resource, and I treat it as such. Whether it’s declining commitments that don’t align with my priorities or protecting chunks of my day for family or deep work, setting firm boundaries has become my superpower. It’s not about being rigid—it’s about being intentional.
For me, boundaries mean carving out non-negotiable family time where I’m fully present and setting clear expectations with anyone and any task demanding my time so there’s no guesswork about what I can or can’t take on. I believe boundaries are the secret to avoiding burnout… something I would I knew when I was living in constant burnout in my early wedding photographer years.
When I protect my time, I show up more fully in every area of my life—whether it’s reading bedtime stories with my kids or brainstorming big ideas for my business. Boundaries aren’t a wall; they’re a way to prioritize what matters most and create the freedom to thrive.
2-Minute Quick Win: Pick one area of your life where you need stronger boundaries. Write down one action you can take today to enforce them—whether it’s turning off notifications during dinner or setting “office hours” for your business.
Related: 12 Boundaries I’ve Implemented in Work & Life to Protect My Peace
4. Batch-Working Whenever Possible
Batch-working has been a total game-changer for me, and once I started using it, I wondered how I ever managed without it. Instead of hopping from task to task and constantly shifting gears, I group similar activities together to maximize efficiency. My ADHD brain eats this kind of workflow up! I don’t end my workday feeling like I left everything half-complete.
For example, I’ll dedicate a block of time (or an entire day!) to recording multiple podcast episodes back-to-back or knock out all my emails in one focused session. The same goes for home life—meal-prepping for the week in one go instead of scrambling every evening and then staring at Drew asking “I dunno, what do YOU want to eat?” It’s like putting your brain on autopilot for one category of work, and trust me, it’s a lifesaver.
The beauty of batch-working is how much it helps me stay in the zone. When I’m focused on a single type of task, I don’t waste energy switching between different modes of thinking, which also cuts down on wasting time decision fatigue. (I truly hate nothing more than wasting time!) Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about crossing off an entire category of tasks in one fell swoop. Whether it’s planning content for my business or organizing life at home, batching gives me the structure to get more done while feeling less scattered—and that’s a win in my book.
10-Minute Quick Win: Look at your schedule and find one task you can batch today. Maybe it’s planning social media content or prepping meals for the next few days.
Related: 12 Ingenious Batchwork Strategies You Need to Try
5. Blocking Family Needs First
Family first, work second. As much as I adore my work, my family will always come first—no question about it. That’s why, before anything else hits my calendar, I block out time for family needs. Making time for the girls to see their cousins, being present for our (always hilarious) bedtime routines, and going out for breakfast together on the weekends all get top billing.
These moments aren’t appointments; they’re the foundation of everything I do. They’re my why. Once those blocks are set in stone, work fills in the gaps—not the other way around. This approach reminds me of what truly matters and keeps my priorities crystal clear.
This mindset shift has been transformative. Knowing my family time is protected and sacred actually helps me be fully present at home without the guilt of unfinished work hanging over me. And when I do dive into my business, I can show up with intention and focus because the most important pieces of my life are already in place and flowing.
It’s definitely not always perfect, but aligning my schedule with my values keeps me grounded and makes both home and work feel meaningful and fulfilling.
1-Minute Quick Win: Pull out your calendar and block off one non-negotiable family commitment this week. Treat it like the most important meeting of your day.
Related: How to Build a Brand that Turns Your Reputation into Revenue
Writing Your Own Definition of Productivity
Productivity doesn’t have to mean hustling harder. I don’t think we should aim to get more productive just so we can milk more and more hours out of our week for work. For most of us, JUST DOING MORE isn’t a goal we want – ever.
For me, it’s about aligning my actions with my values and spending time on what truly matters. It’s about making space for the things that light me up—family, health, creativity, and rest. What does productivity mean to you?
Imagine a new or unbound version of that for yourself. Rewrite the outdated story that says being busy is the ultimate goal. Create a version that fits your life, your values, and your unique workflow. Being productive for productivity’s sake is a waste of your most precious, non-renewable resource: time. Let’s spend it well!
