You’re Inspired & Motivated… What’s Next?
How do you make progress on your own goals when work, family, and everyday tasks already fill your day? As a working mom of two, that’s a question I’ve had to explore for myself.
Scheduling content ahead of time, grouping similar tasks, and working in short sessions have helped me make better use of the time I have. Here are some ways to reduce the repeated effort in your day and create a little more room for what matters to you.
1. Delegate & Automate
You don’t need a team of staff to outsource some of your workload. Start small with automation. Using reminders, auto-scheduling, and calendars are great tools to help take things off your plate.
For example, as a creator, scheduling content in advance has been a major upgrade. If I finish content on a Sunday night, I can schedule Instagram reels or YouTube uploads for the entire week. That way, I don’t have to log in daily. When I do log in, I go in as a creator, not a consumer. This means I log on to complete my “creator-related” tasks, then log off! I resist the urge to get sucked into an endless doom-scrolling rabbit hole. I then set aside limited time as a consumer for another time.
Another idea is to automate tasks in areas of your life that seem redundant, repetitive, and predictable. The more you delegate or automate, the more space you create for high-impact work, personal projects, or quality time with family.
- Grocery Shopping: Use apps like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Walmart+ to schedule weekly grocery deliveries. You can even set up recurring orders for staple items so you never run out.
- Bill Payments: Set up automatic payments for recurring bills such as utilities, subscriptions, or loan payments. This removes stress and prevents late fees.
- Email Organization: You could use tools like Gmail filters, for example, to automatically sort incoming emails into folders. This step segregates priority messages and reduces inbox overwhelm.
- Task Reminders: Apps like Grit or Microsoft To Do let you automate recurring tasks with reminders, so you’re never scrambling to remember small but important duties.
Your Action Step
Find one new system this week that works for you, and let automation handle the repetitive tasks so you can focus on what matters most. If you try an app and don’t it, try another! There are many app options available.
2. Task Management
Here’s where the real productivity magic happens! Organize your tasks.
- Match your energy level with the workload.
On low-energy days, focus on administrative or repetitive tasks that don’t require much creativity or mental effort. These small but necessary tasks can accumulate and hinder your motivation if left undone for too long. When you’re not up for much, use that time to tackle them. Then, save your high-energy days for bigger, more creative work. Carving out dedicated time for the projects you’re truly passionate about is far more effective when you don’t have to keep stopping to take care of all those smaller tasks first. - Batch your tasks.
One of the easiest ways to get more done without burning out is to batch your tasks. When you group similar tasks, you save time, energy, and mental bandwidth. Examples may include answering emails, making phone calls, or creating content. Why? Because every time you switch from one type of task to another, your brain needs to reset, which eats up focus and motivation.
Batching keeps you in the same mindset longer. This allows you to work faster and more efficiently. It also reduces decision fatigue—you don’t have to constantly decide what to do next, because your plan is already set. Plus, when you batch, you can build momentum. Tackling a group of similar tasks back-to-back helps you get into a flow state, where work feels easier and more focused.
For example, when I have my camera gear set up, I film as much content as possible in one sitting. Planning saves me from having to set everything up again later, which can be very time-consuming. - Plan bursts.
Set a 30-minute timer and focus only on making progress. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done. Sometimes you’ll want to keep going past the timer. If you only make it to the 30-minute mark, you’ve already moved forward. Imagine doing this every day for a month; that’s 15 hours dedicated to progress instead of 30 days of doing nothing because “you didn’t have the time.” - Track your progress.
Checking things off releases dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone that our bodies release when we experience something rewarding. It’s like giving your brain a thumbs up. This sensation motivates you to keep going, reduces stress, and makes you feel productive and proud of your progress. There are many apps to help organize tasks and check them off. If not, a notebook and pen will also do the trick!
Your Action Step
Break up your next to-do list into categories and group similar tasks together. Try getting them done together and see for yourself if your things feel smoother (and faster) when your tasks are organized! I have a feeling you will knock off some minutes from your process and add in a good dose of efficiency.
3. Embrace the Cringe
This one is deeply personal to me. We tend to be hard on ourselves when we don’t meet the timeline we originally had in mind. Give yourself grace, be kind to yourself, and, most importantly, embrace the cringe.
Quiet the Noise
Here’s what I mean: quiet the noise from your inner critic, and don’t let external voices stop you. People will always have something to say, regardless of what route we take. Waiting for perfection to start will delay your process more than you think.
Embracing the Progress
If you hold out for perfect, you’ll stall for months before checking a single thing off your list. Learning to accept your progress “as is” for today is very powerful. It means letting go of perfectionism and celebrating milestones, big or small. That’s where true growth happens. Always remember, done is better than perfect. Every time you take a step forward by improving one technique, you’re moving in the right direction.
Bonus Tip!
Here’s something small that makes a big impact: Make Your Bed!
It sounds silly, but it sets the tone for your day. One small win leads to another. Next thing you know, you’re putting away your pajamas, clearing your sink, folding the clothes on your chair, and you walk away feeling accomplished! Momentum begins to build, and suddenly you’re on a roll. Do I make my bed every day? I do not… but on the days I do, I notice the difference in how I approach the day. If I do it every day for a week, I set myself up for success.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Pending
Pick one thing to make easier this week. Automate a recurring task, group a few similar chores together, or set aside a short block of time for your project. Try it, notice what helps, and adjust as you go.
Some days you’ll have energy to spare. Other days, rest will be what you need most. Give yourself room for both. The goal is to build a rhythm you can return to, even after a busy week.
Subscribe for More!
If you enjoyed this post, stay tuned for more! As a working mom of two, I love sharing ways to bring more growth, inspiration, and balance into everyday life. I’ll be writing about topics like personal development, cozy home organization, plant care, parenting insights, and practical online finds. My goal is to help you feel uplifted and supported. Life isn’t always easy, but whenever I discover a gem, I’ll be sharing it here with you.
✨ Don’t miss out—subscribe to Inspired Mode On or follow along so you’ll be the first to see new posts, fresh ideas, and practical tips to keep you inspired. Thanks for being here—I can’t wait to share more with you soon! ✨
Let’s stay connected 🤍
Follow me on Instagram for everyday inspiration, cozy home ideas, and little moments along the way.
Instagram: inspiredmode_on
Explore my Amazon storefront for favorite finds for home, wellness, and family life.
Amazon Storefront
Stay inspired & keep blooming. Until next time!
Inspired Mode On
Disclaimer: Some of the links contain affiliate links, meaning I will earn a small commission when you purchase through my link at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
