Why Doing Less Can Actually Move You Forward Faster

Apr 23, 2025

The Productivity Myth I Had to Unlearn

For years, I thought productivity meant packing as much into a day as possible. More lists. More plans. More late nights trying to "catch up."

As a parent and caregiver, I kept trying to fit into productivity advice that was never meant for me.

I tried block scheduling. I tried batching. I even tried color-coding my chaos.

Spoiler: it didn’t work.

Because life as a full-time caregiver doesn’t follow a script.

Where I Used to Feel Stuck

I felt behind. All the time.

I was trying to manage caregiving, home systems, and my business like I had control over everything.

But the truth? I don’t.

What I do have is influence—over small shifts, not massive plans.

Redefining Progress as Simplicity

Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.

I switched my idea of working from 9-5 to just 2 hours a day. I created daily targets for myself and sometimes I hit them in 15 minutes—other days I worked in multiple chunks throughout the day. But the idea of only needing to hit certain targets freed my mind from the overwhelm of trying to hit the standard 40-hour workweek.

I am running my own business because my life didn’t fit the traditional job situation. Why did I think I needed to work the same?

The One Shift That Changed Everything

I have a ‘work in, work out’ method. I take care of people—so I help people go to the bathroom, start a new activity, prepare a meal—constantly throughout the day. Multi-tasking is not a smart way to work and really ends up being an effort in futility around switching tasks quickly rather than accomplishing things efficiently.

I’ve systemized my work so that when I need to stop and start, I can jump in and out without wasting time. I mark documents, color-code, and always build things the same way so I can just find my place and go.

The same happens in my home. I often notice that the dishwasher is unloaded—I did it while my coffee brewed. Or I’ll realize my son’s socks are ready, even though I didn’t consciously remember doing laundry.

These parts of my day are now muscle memory—and they don’t eat up my brain space.

My Real-Life Cue System Example

My Nightly Walkthrough was the first system that truly worked. It helps me:

Clear my mind: Post-it notes hold the pending stuff. I don’t need to carry it to bed.
Double-check my systems: I reset small things like laundry for tomorrow.
Set up myself first: My coffee is prepped. That first cup? It’s for ME.

It all started with a simple task—closing shutters at night. Then toys, devices, dishes, coffee—it all layered in naturally.

And it keeps the chaos from swallowing me whole.

Progress You Can Feel (Not Just Track)

I love a good to-do list… but honestly? They didn’t help.

Every morning I made massive lists, and every night I felt defeated by them.

Switching to a DONE list changed that.

I started listing every small thing I actually did. Helping my son with the bathroom 15 times in one day? That counts.

I saw just how much caregiving I was doing, and why I felt so drained. The list wasn’t empty—it was invisible.

Now, I see what matters most—and give myself credit for it.

Try This Tiny Shift Today

Pick one thing to simplify this week.

💬 Need ideas? Try these:

What’s one habit you could pair with a chore?
Where can you swap hustle for ease?
What’s one thing on your to-do list that doesn’t need to get done today?
What’s a system you’re overcomplicating that could be easier?
What would happen if you let “good enough” be the goal just for today?

You Deserve Progress That Fits Your Life

You don’t need massive change—you need small shifts.

You’re not behind. You’re building a life that works for YOU.

💬 Want more support for your real-life routines? Join Parent Caregivers: Productivity for Real Life for tips, wins, and simple systems.
👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/productivityforreallife

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