20 Productive Things To Do Every Day
20 tiny shifts that help you stay productive, present, and peaceful — even on the busiest days.
Prior to becoming a mom, I was the self-proclaimed #QueenofProductivity.
Motherhood humbled me.
It became evident pretty quickly that I needed to change my idea of productivity for anything to get done - especially while working from home with a baby, now toddler.
Some days, productivity looks like meal prepping and conquering the laundry pile. Other days, it’s brushing your hair and remembering your coffee before it gets cold. Wherever you are today — you’re doing enough.
Here are 20 simple things that can make your days flow a little smoother — even when life feels like a juggling act.
20 Productive Things To Do Every Day
1. Make the bed.
This tiny act sets the tone for your entire day. When your space looks put together, your brain follows. It’s a reminder that you can create order from chaos, and that sense of accomplishment tends to ripple into everything else you do.
2. Handheld bidet.
Unexpected? Maybe. Transformational? Absolutely. When you feel clean and refreshed, you carry yourself differently. Comfort and confidence free up mental bandwidth — and mental bandwidth is the secret ingredient to being productive without feeling rushed.
3. Wash your face + sunscreen.
This is about showing up for you first. It’s grounding and signals to your brain, “I’m awake, I’m ready.” That clarity helps you move through the day with more focus and less autopilot.
4. Get up before the baby or rest of the house (if you can).
Even 10 quiet minutes of stillness changes the whole energy of the morning. Instead of reacting to everyone else’s needs, you start from a centered place — the difference between feeling behind all day and feeling grounded.
5. Stretch.
Movement gets energy flowing, which boosts mood and focus. It doesn’t have to be a full workout — a few minutes of stretching can pull you out of the fog and into your body.
6. Big gallon of water.
Hydration = energy. You think clearer, snack less, and have fewer headaches. It’s one of the simplest ways to feel more awake without another cup of coffee.
7. Good enough mentality.
Perfection steals progress. When you aim for “good enough,” you actually finish things — which builds momentum. The mental load drops when you stop chasing an imaginary ideal.
8. Top 3.
Pick your three non-negotiables for the day. What truly matters if nothing else gets done? Focusing on three core tasks helps you feel accomplished instead of scattered, even when the day takes a turn.
9. Sun first.
Open the blinds or step outside before you scroll. That natural light wakes up your body, boosts serotonin, and helps set your internal clock — especially if you work from home.
10. Schedule disconnect time.
Give yourself permission to not be reachable for a bit. Protecting that pocket of silence allows your brain to rest and reset, which makes you sharper when you do re-engage.
11. Set proper expectations.
Be realistic about what your day can hold. When expectations are clear — for you, your partner, your family — frustration goes down and productivity goes up.
12. Reset button.
Bad morning? Reset. Spilled something? Reset. The ability to mentally start over keeps small hiccups from stealing the whole day.
13. No outside chaos.
Guard your peace. If the world (or social media) feels loud, it’s okay to step back. Less noise means more mental space for what truly matters.
14. Find your center.
It could be prayer, journaling, music, or quiet coffee. Returning to your center keeps your priorities aligned and your energy grounded — two key ingredients for calm productivity.
15. Go in headphones.
Sometimes focus requires a soundtrack — or silence. Headphones create boundaries and signal “I’m in my zone,” even if chaos is swirling around you.
16. Paper goods.
Use them guilt-free. Disposable plates and cups buy back time and sanity, especially during the week. Save your real dishes for weekends or special dinners. A clean kitchen is a productive mom’s best friend.
17. Smaller laundry basket.
It forces smaller, faster loads so you stay ahead. If it’s too small for one person, combine loads to keep laundry moving without feeling like a full-day event.
18. Put your oxygen mask on first.
It’s cliché because it’s true — you can’t pour from empty. The more you care for yourself, the more sustainable your energy becomes. Productivity starts with permission to rest.
19. Tomorrow is only a day away.
Missed something? Didn’t finish? Tomorrow is waiting. You get a new chance every 24 hours — and as many mini resets as you need in between.
20. Nighttime Reset
Spend five minutes putting the house back to neutral — fluff pillows, clear the counter, dim the lights, and light a candle or run a diffuser. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating calm for your future self. You’ll wake up feeling like the day already started in your favor.
Closing
Every day doesn’t have to be your best day — it just has to be yours. Do what you can to set yourself up well, and have grace for the moments that don’t go as planned. You get a clean slate every 24 hours, and countless mini-resets in between. Take them when you need to. You’re still a person before you’re anyone’s parent, partner, or planner — and that’s worth remembering. 🤍
With Love,
Ambyr