Working Mothers: How They Master Productivity at Work and Home

Working mothers are often seen as struggling to balance their careers and families, yet they are also considered to be highly productive individuals. With so many demands on their time and energy, how do they do it? In this article, we will explore the productivity secrets of working mothers that can be applied to any profession or personal life.

1. They Know How to Manage Trade-Offs

Working mothers are skilled at making trade-off decisions, a skill that is honed at home while raising infants. For example, they know the value of a few hours of uninterrupted time, and they use it wisely to catch up on work or home tasks. Their ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively helps them both in their personal and professional lives.

2. They Know How to Focus at Work

Working mothers cannot afford to stay late at the office every day, so they are skilled at staying focused and productive during work hours. According to a 2013 study by Ernst and Young Australia, women in flexible roles waste only 11.1% of their working time, compared to an average of 14.5% for the rest of the working population. This finding suggests that flexible working arrangements contribute to productivity. The ability to stay focused and manage time effectively helps them accomplish more in less time, both at work and home.

3. They Understand the Power of Relationships

As matrix organizations become more common, nurturing relationships is becoming essential. Working mothers know that the needs of people are an integral part of professional results. They are excellent at building supportive relationships with their colleagues, clients, and managers. Their ability to collaborate effectively with others helps them accelerate their careers in the long run.

4. They Use Top-Notch Productivity Techniques

Working mothers do not have time to waste on redundancy, rework, or related activities. They have mastered habits that help improve their results, such as creating a checklist for back-to-school preparation, paying attention to details, and working through each step of a process to create a great customer experience. They allow these learned skills to complement their job duties and personal life.

5. They Use Benefits to Improve Their Health

Working mothers tend to know their limits and prioritize their health to deliver great results. They fully utilize health benefits provided by their employers, such as flexible work hours, extended health care, and stress relief programs. Regular checkups with doctors and dentists help reduce sick days and maintain good health. They understand that they won’t be productive if they are not well and healthy.

6. They Know how to get help

Working mothers realize that they can not do everything on their own. They call on family, including grandparents, to help at home or hire a nanny, take a spa day, and sometimes make other purchases to help reduce their workload and overall stress. At work, they are not afraid to seek help; they ask for support when required and remain proactive in managing their workloads.

7. They Know How to Say No

Working mothers know the power of saying no. They decline low-value tasks that do not contribute to their goals at work or home. They understand that every task they agree to takes time, and they avoid taking on commitments they can’t fulfill. By saying “no,” they delegate the task and focus their energy on achieving important goals.

8. They Create Solutions Rather Than Demanding Concessions

Successful working mothers take responsibility for the commitments they make. They believe in delivering great results before asking for any concessions or accommodations from their employers. They take a proactive approach to productivity and are always seeking to improve themselves.

9. They Keep Drinking Water to Stay Productive

Working mothers know that the quality and quantity of their work output is impacted by their mental state. They drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and productive. A 2013 study by the University of East London found that drinking water improves productivity by 14%. They also understand that caffeine and other diuretics can dehydrate them, so they make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Conclusion:

Working mothers have a lot to manage, and their productivity is admirable. They have learned to manage trade-offs, stay focused, nurture relationships, use top-notch productivity techniques, utilize benefits, ask for help, say no, create solutions, and keep drinking water. These traits make them successful in their professional and personal lives, and their example can inspire other working mothers to be just as productive.