Updated August 2025 with latest productivity strategies for busy women
Read Time - 6-Minutes
Ever feel like a complete failure because you never get through your daily to-do list? Like no matter how hard you work, that list just keeps growing, and by the end of the day you're wondering what the hell you actually accomplished?
Yeah, I've been there too. And if you're a high-achieving woman juggling career, family, and trying to maintain some semblance of sanity, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about.
The Never-Ending List That Nearly Broke Me
I used to have this monster to-do list that created massive anxiety, stress, and overwhelm in both my business and personal life. The thing never got smaller – in fact, it seemed to multiply overnight like some kind of productivity nightmare.
At the end of each day, when I'd reflect on what I'd achieved, that damn list made it look like I'd done absolutely nothing. Cue the familiar feelings of failure and that lovely "not good enough" voice that so many of us know way too well.
Here's what was really happening - I was so busy (or at least felt busy) that I couldn't trust my memory to capture everything. I was operating from this place of "what if I forget something important?" So I wrote down absolutely everything – and I mean everything.
All this did was weigh me down and create more anxiety. I'd look at this massive list and think, "How the hell am I going to get all of this done?" I was exhausted just looking at it!
Why Traditional Time Management Didn't Work
Over the years, like so many people, I'd done training on time management, prioritising, delegating – all that good stuff. But none of it actually helped me achieve more or, more importantly, change how I was feeling.
It just left me wondering why I wasn't coping when everyone else around me seemed to have their stuff together. Hello, comparisonitis – we meet again!
I kept thinking about trying new systems, but honestly, I was skeptical. How much time would it take to learn and implement another new process? And would it even work for me because my circumstances felt so unique?
I didn't have time to spare for learning something else that wasn't going to work. But then I remembered something important: we always find time for the things that truly matter to us.
So I made it a priority and got started.
The Game-Changing Realisation
Here's my dirty little secret - I decided to get intentional about how I choose to show up in my life and what activities would actually receive my time, effort, and attention each day.
I know it sounds like prioritising, right? But there's so much more to it than that.
Deciding what tasks to tackle is just one step in the process. There are a few more steps that ensure you're operating from a place of alignment, and it only takes me 5-10 minutes to complete. The difference in how it makes me feel is absolutely massive.
My Simple Morning Routine That Changes Everything
Here's exactly what I do:
My alarm goes off (and I don't snooze it – that's important), and I meditate for 10-15 minutes. Then I open a Google sheet and review how my day is going to play out by asking myself these questions:
The Questions That Transform My Day:
1. What am I grateful for today?
Always start with high vibes – this sets the tone for everything.
Always start with high vibes – this sets the tone for everything.
2. How do I want to feel today?
Calm, focused, energised, confident – whatever I need that day.
Calm, focused, energised, confident – whatever I need that day.
3. By operating from this feeling, what will this allow me to do?
This connects my emotional state to my actions.
This connects my emotional state to my actions.
4. What do my mind, body, and soul need from me today?
Trust me, when you ask these questions, things just pop into your head. You have the answers within you, even when it doesn't feel like it.
Trust me, when you ask these questions, things just pop into your head. You have the answers within you, even when it doesn't feel like it.
5. What are my key rocks today?
Ideally, three things that absolutely must get done. Anything else is a bonus! These should align with your high-level goals in career, health, relationships, spirituality, personal growth and finances.
Ideally, three things that absolutely must get done. Anything else is a bonus! These should align with your high-level goals in career, health, relationships, spirituality, personal growth and finances.
6. If there was one thing I could gift myself today to make my day awesome, what would that be?
Maybe it's a takeaway coffee, five minutes to step outside and breathe fresh air, or getting the kids looked after for a bit!
Maybe it's a takeaway coffee, five minutes to step outside and breathe fresh air, or getting the kids looked after for a bit!
The Secret Sauce: Mental Rehearsal
Here's where the magic really happens - I create a movie in my head of how my day is going to play out. I visualise how I'm going to show up, the habits and behaviours I'll exhibit to smash through my rocks and get stuff done. As this mental movie plays, I connect with my body and actually experience how it feels to be me moving through another fantastic day.
This step is crucial because you're priming your brain to operate in a way that works for you. Your brain can't differentiate between what's real and what's imagined. When you navigate your day conceptually first, your brain responds as if you've already achieved your desired outcomes and been the person you want to be.
How cool is that?
The Evening Reflection That Seals the Deal
Before I close my eyes at night, no matter how tired I am, I finish my day by reflecting on the awesomeness I've accomplished. This isn't optional – it's how I rewire my brain to recognise my wins instead of focusing on what didn't get done.
Why Being Intentional Changes Everything
This approach has become my secret sauce because it's:
✅ Enabled me to focus on things that truly matter and move me closer to my goals
✅ Helped me consciously operate in a way that supports my health and wellbeing
✅ Quieted down the imposter monster that used to run the show
✅ Made me realise and appreciate how much I actually achieve in a day
✅ Shaped how I play my own game of life – so there's no one to compare myself to anymore
✅ Helped me consciously operate in a way that supports my health and wellbeing
✅ Quieted down the imposter monster that used to run the show
✅ Made me realise and appreciate how much I actually achieve in a day
✅ Shaped how I play my own game of life – so there's no one to compare myself to anymore
The Perimenopause Connection
If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s, you might notice that your usual productivity strategies aren't working like they used to. Perimenopause can mess with your focus, energy, and emotional regulation, which makes traditional time management even less effective.
This intentional approach works because it honours where you are right now, both physically and emotionally. Instead of pushing through brain fog or trying to force productivity when your body needs rest, you're working with your natural rhythms.
Your Next Steps
I really want you to love your life and operate with more ease and flow. All you have to do is start being intentional about your mind, body, and soul each day.
Try this routine for just one week and notice the difference. Remember, it's not about perfection – it's about intention.
If you're dealing with overwhelm that feels connected to bigger life changes like perimenopause, burnout, or that persistent "not good enough" feeling, you don't have to figure this out alone.
Ready to transform your relationship with productivity and time? As a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in helping high-achieving women navigate life transitions, I understand how hormonal changes and stress/burnout can impact your ability to get things done. Let's work together to create sustainable success strategies.
Follow Me for honest insights on perimenopause, burnout recovery, stress management and weight loss and how to keep thriving when life throws you curveballs.
