Why Productivity Hacks Aren’t the Answer (and What Actually Works for Moms)
You know that moment in Target when you’re standing in the planner aisle, staring at all the shiny covers and colorful pens, promising yourself, “This is it. This is the year I get it together”?
You bring the planner home, maybe even color-code it, and for a week you feel unstoppable. But then life happens—a kid gets sick, the dishwasher breaks, work deadlines pile up—and suddenly that perfect system is abandoned in a drawer.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: it’s not that you’re bad at planning or don’t have enough discipline. The truth is, most productivity hacks were never designed for moms in the first place.That’s why before we dive in, grab our free Stop Doing Checklist. It’ll show you exactly which tasks you can safely let go of—so you can stop chasing hacks and start feeling lighter right away.
The Problem with Productivity Hacks For Moms
Kendra Adachi, bestselling author of The Lazy Genius and The Plan, calls it the “productivity industrial complex.” It’s an industry that thrives on making us feel like we’re just one more hack away from finally having it all together.
“If you make greatness or optimization your goal, when it isn’t actually your goal, you’ll always feel tired. You’ll always feel like you’re not doing enough.” – Kendra Adachi
And it makes sense. Most time management advice was written by men for men. Men who don’t carry the invisible mental load of the household. Men who don’t juggle fluctuating hormones. Men who, on average, aren’t expected to be the family’s default caretaker.
So of course “check email at 3 p.m.” or “join the 5 a.m. club” feels laughable when you’re the one managing school forms, emotional meltdowns, and laundry piles.
The Rise of Toxic Productivity
Psychotherapist and author Israa Nasir calls this constant chasing toxic productivity—when our worth becomes tied to how much we achieve.
“Toxic productivity is when everything we do becomes central to our identity. We start measuring how good we feel about ourselves by how much we accomplish, even at the expense of our health and relationships.” – Israa Nasir
For many of us, this started young. We were told, “You can do anything if you just work hard enough.” Over time, that turned into “You should be able to do everything.” Straight A’s, a spotless house, a thriving career, kids in every activity, and bonus points for homemade snacks.
But no one can do everything. And trying to is the fastest route to burnout.
The Myths That Keep Moms Stuck
Both Kendra and Israa called out the most damaging productivity myths that leave moms spinning their wheels:
- Multitasking makes you more productive.
Nope. The brain can’t multitask—it just switches rapidly, which leads to mental fatigue and overwhelm. - Busy equals productive.
A packed calendar doesn’t mean progress. It often means exhaustion. - There’s only one “right” way to do things.
Perfectionism convinces us we’re the only ones who can load the dishwasher “correctly.” That belief keeps us from letting go and sharing the load. - One-size-fits-all routines will save us.
Waking up at 5 a.m. works for some—but not for everyone. Forcing yourself into someone else’s system sets you up to feel like a failure.
Instead of trying to do more, why not start by doing less? Our free Stop Doing Checklist helps you cut out the tasks that don’t matter—without guilt.
The Morning Routine Myth
So many moms tell us, “If I just had the right morning routine, I’d get ahead.”
But here’s the thing—forcing yourself into a routine that doesn’t fit your life will only make you feel worse.
Israa shared her personal morning routine: 20 quiet minutes with coffee and breakfast, no phone, no email. Simple. Not Instagram-worthy. But it grounds her for the day.
Your routine doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It just needs to work for you.
Why Productivity Hacks Don’t Solve Mom Burnout
At the heart of it, productivity hacks are band-aids. They might help for a week, but they don’t address the deeper issues:
- The mental load of carrying everything for your family.
- The guilt of saying no or choosing rest.
- The belief that your worth comes from how much you do.
As Kendra explained, hacks focus only on preparation—but they don’t teach you how to notice your energy, adjust to real-life changes, or release guilt. And as Israa reminded us, perfectionism and overachieving only keep us stuck doing more and more
What Actually Works for Moms
So what’s the alternative? It’s not about squeezing more out of yourself. It’s about creating a sustainable system that works with your life, not against it.
1. Name What Matters in This Season
Your priorities will shift. Sometimes it’s rest. Sometimes it’s connection. Sometimes it’s survival mode. Naming what matters now helps you focus your limited energy where it counts.
2. Notice and Adjust
Some days you’ll be on top of things. Other days, the win is saying, “I’m done for today.” Both are valid. Both count.
3. Release the Guilt
Choosing sleep over another round of Monopoly isn’t selfish. It’s modeling healthy boundaries for your kids.
4. Share the Load
Delegating isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. If your partner loads the dishwasher differently, let it go. If your kids do chores imperfectly, let them. Releasing control is hard, but it’s essential for balance.
Want help letting go? Download the Stop Doing Checklist and get instant relief by crossing unnecessary tasks off your mental load today.
From Chaos to Calm: The Balance You Deserve
You don’t need another planner. You don’t need another hack.
What you need is a system that helps you:
- Define your vision.
- Shift your mindset.
- Communicate and set boundaries.
- Share responsibilities at home.
- Set goals that reflect your values, not someone else’s.
That’s exactly what we walk you through in the Balance Program.
It’s not about doing more—it’s about finally feeling supported, calm, and in control of your own life.
If you’re ready to stop chasing hacks and start living in balance, join us in the Balance Program today. And if you want to start small, grab our free Stop Doing Checklist right now. It’s the first step to reclaiming your time and showing your family what real balance looks like.
JoAnn Crohn
CEO/Founder at No Guilt Mom
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