How to Hack Time as a Busy Mom: 6 Ways To Get More Done in Less Time

You wake up already feeling behind. You rush through the day, cross off a million things from your to-do list, and yet—nothing feels like it's getting done. Sound familiar?

It's as if time is always slipping through your fingers, no matter how hard you try to manage it. But here’s the real truth: You’re not bad at managing time. You just haven’t learned how to hack it yet. And that’s exactly what we’re going to fix today.

Let’s dive in and learn how to take control of your time (without the overwhelm).

The Real Reason You Feel Like There's Never Enough Time as a Busy Mom

Let's face it—being a mom in today's world often feels like you're stuck on a never-ending hamster wheel. It’s like you wake up already behind, spend the day sprinting to catch up, and at the end of it, you're left wondering how the hell you didn’t get more done. But the truth is, this constant feeling of “not enough time” isn’t just a random mom experience—it’s practically universal.

Why is that? Well, most of us were never actually taught how to manage time in a way that works for us. We were conditioned to just show up, follow someone else’s schedule, and do what was expected—no questions asked. Society told us that time was a fixed, rigid thing. You get what you get, and that’s it.

Good luck, mama.

But It Gets Worse…

And to make matters even worse, our culture is obsessed with productivity. We’re constantly bombarded with messages that we should always be doing more, that time is slipping away, and that there’s never enough of it. No wonder we feel like we’re behind—it’s been drilled into us that we should be constantly hustling.

And then, when you throw in the reality of mom life, it gets even messier:

The mental load: You’re juggling kids, meals, cleaning, and the endless list of things only you seem to notice.
The guilt: You feel like you’re failing because, despite your best efforts, you’re constantly running out of time.
The lack of self-care: Let’s be real, when was the last time you had a moment to yourself without feeling guilty about it?

We’re made to believe that time is this fixed, limited resource—and that trying to plan and structure it is restrictive and boring. You know, like “If I’m planning, I’m not living.” But guess what? That kind of thinking is keeping you stuck in the exact spot where you feel like there’s no time to breathe.

The good news? You don’t need more time—you need to manage it smarter. Once you learn how to hack time and reshape your relationship with it, you can finally stop feeling like there’s never enough. Ready to ditch the overwhelm and start owning your time, mama?

But Can You Really Hack Time?

The answer to that question is...yes!

Now, before you roll your eyes and click away because I’m talking about “hacking” time (and your “relationship” with time, too)—hear me out. Time isn’t something to be managed the old-fashioned way—it’s something to be hacked. And no, that doesn’t mean working harder or cramming more into your day. It’s about using smarter, strategic approaches that actually work for you.

Let’s break it down:

Hacking time comes down to two main things:

Changing the way you use time.
Changing the way you think about time—aka, your relationship with time.

I know, I know—your relationship with time? You might be thinking, "Pffft, my relationship with time? We’re talking about a clock here, not my damn husband!" But I promise you, even if this whole concept sounds weird or like some woo-woo mumbo jumbo, it’s a real thing. And if you’re not consciously aware of your relationship with time, then you probably have a pretty shitty one.

Here’s the deal: Yes, you actually can hack time. You can get more done in less time, skyrocket your productivity, have time for yourself, and still feel chill about time.

So if you're sitting there thinking, “Okay, cool, cool, but tell me HOW to do this already?”—I got you, mama. Let's dive into 6 key strategies you need to employ if you want to become a time-hacking mama and make time your b*tch instead of feeling like you're always racing the clock.

6 Strategies to Help You Get More Done in Less Time

Alright, mama, now we’re getting to the good stuff. These 6 strategies are going to flip your time struggles upside down and give you the tools to actually own your day. No more running around like a chicken with your head cut off, trying to fit in a thousand things. It’s time to streamline, simplify, and get sh*t done like the badass you are. Here are 6 key strategies that will have you feeling like a time-mastering queen.

#1: Ditch the Never-Ending To-Do List & Use the Daily 4 Formula

Listen, if you’re still using a never-ending to-do list, I’m about to drop some truth: it’s part of the problem. All those vague tasks like "clean house" or "work on blog" are just a time-sucking waste of energy. You end up staring at the list, constantly wondering where to start, and most of the time, you get nothing done. Sound familiar? Yeah, that’s because you’re not being specific enough, and your brain is on overload just trying to figure out what needs attention first.

Here’s the fix: Forget about time-blocking and fancy calendars that might as well be a joke when you’re a mom. Instead, try the Daily 4 Formula. Here’s how it works:

Pick 4 high-impact, outcome-based tasks each day.
These tasks should be specific and measurable—none of this “work on blog” nonsense. Get specific!
No negotiating with yourself. Once those 4 tasks are on your list, no fiddle-fucking around. No perfectionism. Just get sh*t done.
And most importantly—get them done efficiently. If it takes 10 minutes, do it. If it takes an hour, do it. But don’t drag your feet. Once those tasks are done, they’re off your list and your brain can finally breathe.

If you focus on 4 key tasks that are actually going to move the needle, you’ll get way more done than you ever would staring at a laundry list of vague to-dos. Cross those bad boys off your list and call it a day. That’s how you start hacking time and actually feel like you’ve accomplished something.

#2: Put Your Brain to Work on Better Questions

Your brain is a supercomputer. But if you’re constantly thinking things like “There’s never enough time” or “I’m so overwhelmed,” guess what you’re going to create more of? More of that exact feeling.

That’s right, your brain is going to find evidence to back up your thoughts. So, if you’re stuck on the idea that you never have enough time, your brain will start focusing on every little thing that proves you’re right, and next thing you know, you’re just swimming in a sea of overwhelm.

But what if you flipped the script?

Instead of asking, “Why am I so behind?” or “How am I going to get all this done?”, start asking yourself better questions, like:

“What do I have time for?”
“How can I make this easier?”
“How can I make this more fun?”
“What can I do right now to make this more efficient?”

When you shift your thinking to these types of questions, your brain will get to work on finding answers—real answers that could help you feel more in control of your time and show you where you do, in fact, have enough time. Get your brain on the right track, and watch how things start shifting.

#3: Stop Acting Like a Victim to Your To-Do List

Here’s a little secret for you, mama: You don’t actually have to do any of it.

I know, I know—sounds crazy, right? But it’s true. You don’t have to cook dinner. You don’t have to pick up your kids from the bus stop. You don’t even have to pay your bills right now (I mean, I wouldn’t recommend that one, but you get my point).

The thing is, you’ve chosen these “obligations” because you want the outcomes that come with them. You want your kids fed, you want your house running smoothly, and you want to avoid late fees on your bills. But no one is holding a gun to your head, forcing you to do these things.

So why do we act like we're slaves to our to-do lists? It’s time to stop playing the victim. You’ve got these things on your list because you choose to do them—not because you’re stuck.

When you shift your mindset and recognize that you have a choice, you start taking your power back. You get to decide if and when things happen—and you get to stop letting your to-do list rule your life.

So the next time you start feeling like you’re drowning under your list of tasks, remember: You don’t have to do sh*t if you don’t want to. But if you do want to, do it with intention, not with resentment. Take your time back and start making your to-do list work for you.

#4: Set Up Routines That Run on Autopilot

Routines are your secret weapon for getting more done in less time, without burning out or feeling like you're running in circles.

Here’s the thing: when you do the same things in the same way over and over—like laundry, meals, tidying up, or self-care—you automate them. And what does that do? It eliminates decision fatigue.

No more wondering when you’ll get the laundry done or what you should make for dinner. You just know.
The beauty of routine is that the more you repeat something in a structured way, the more efficient you become at it.

Routines = Mental Space for Bigger Goals

Routines act as your life’s foundation, helping you handle daily tasks like a pro and freeing up your mental space for the big stuff.

When you get your routines running on autopilot, you start finding ways to do them faster and better. The more you repeat the same tasks in the same way, the more you learn to streamline them. Efficiency gets better, faster, and easier as you make your routines work for you.

Once you get your routines running, you stop needing to think about when things will happen. You just know.

Have a laundry routine? You don’t think about it, you just do it (and get better at it every time).
Got meal planning down? You won’t waste time figuring out what to cook. It’s already scheduled.

This is what efficiency looks like. Automating your life with routines helps you handle the mundane stuff on autopilot—so you can focus on the bigger picture. Set those routines up, dial them in, and watch your productivity skyrocket. You’ll be amazed at how much time and energy you save when your daily tasks start running themselves.

#5: Make Decisions Ahead of Time to Stop Wasting Brain Power

Planning is often seen as restrictive, boring, and something that ties you down. We’ve been conditioned to believe that having a plan means sacrificing spontaneity and freedom. But here’s the truth: planning actually gives you more freedom.

When you take a few minutes the night before (or first thing in the morning) to decide what you need to get done and how you’re going to do it, you’re freeing up so much mental space for the things that actually matter.

Here’s why it works:

It helps you stop wasting brain power. Think about how much time you waste each day deciding what to do next, negotiating with yourself on whether you really need to do that thing, or stressing about what comes next. Planning ahead eliminates that.
It speeds up execution. When you know exactly what needs to be done, you’re not hesitating or wasting time figuring it out. You just get sh*t done.

Now, you don’t need to plan out your whole week or have some elaborate five-year roadmap (because, let’s be real, that’s a little much). But just knowing what you need to do and how you’re going to do it gives you a clear path forward. It’s like having a GPS for your day—you don’t need to plan every turn, but at least you know where you’re headed.

The next time you feel yourself wasting time thinking about what to do next, or when you’re stuck in decision fatigue, just remember: Making decisions ahead of time is a game-changer. Once you decide, you don’t have to keep negotiating with yourself all day. You’ll be amazed at how much time and energy you save just by executing your plan.

#6: Stop Relying on Motivation—Build Self-Discipline Instead

Relying on motivation is a setup for failure. Motivation is fleeting. It comes and goes, and it’s never reliable enough to get shit done consistently. You can plan all day, create the most amazing routines, and map out your tasks to perfection, but if you don’t have the follow-through to make it happen? None of it matters.

Because here’s the truth: Most of the time, you’re not going to feel like doing what’s on your to-do list. Nobody’s jumping for joy about folding laundry or chopping veggies for meal prep. And guess what? Most days, you're not going to want to do that workout or work on your side hustle. Instead, you’re probably going to want to sit on the couch with Netflix and a bag of Twizzlers, right? Yeah, I get it.

But you have to become the kind of person who shows up—even when you don’t feel like it. It’s not about waiting for the motivation to hit—it’s about building the self-discipline to do it anyway. You’ve got to be devoted to your life, your goals, and your growth, and that means showing up, putting in the work, and doing what needs to be done, even when the couch is calling your name.

The faster you make decisions, take action on them, and just get sht done*, the faster it’s off your plate and out of your head. You don’t have to waste time overthinking, procrastinating, or negotiating with yourself. Once it’s done, you’ve got more time to do whatever the hell you want.

So practice this: show up and get it done—no matter how you feel. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. You’ll be amazed at how much time and energy you free up once you stop waiting for motivation and just get to work.

Are You a Busy Mom Sick and Tired of Feeling Like There's Never Enough Time?

Feeling like there’s never enough time isn’t just draining – it’s downright frustrating. The constant overwhelm of trying to get everything done, while still feeling behind, can leave you feeling stuck. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to be this way.

With the right strategies and a solid plan in place, you can get more done without adding more to your plate. It’s time to take charge of your schedule—and your life. You don’t have to keep running in circles, trying to do it all. You can finally feel in control of your days.

If you’re ready to stop feeling like you’re constantly racing against the clock and start hacking your time, I’ve got something for you. Download my free That Mom Planning System—a time-hacking system designed specifically for moms to help you get more done, eliminate stress, and finally feel in control of your days without burnout.

It’s the exact planning system I use every day to get shit done in half the time it used to take me, and I swear by it. It’s simple, effective, and will totally transform how you manage your time. Ready to take control? Download it now and start taking back your time!