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Im someone who does a lot: Ive held multiple tech executive roles, founded and sold a startup, published an award-winning book, served on nonprofit boards, advised and invested in emerging companies, and kept a thriving creative life. Im also raising two kids with my husband.So its not surprising that Im often asked which productivity books I recommend. People are often surprised by my response: I dont read productivity books. Never havenever really wanted to.Why productivity books are BSI realized something recently, after going down a rabbit hole about productivity books from a heavily debated Threads post: the vast majority of best-selling productivity books are written by men91% of the top 100 titles, in fact. And most of these authors have mentioned having a wife at home, an arrangement that often implies shes handling much of the childcare and household management. That reality doesnt match my own.Like so many working women, I carry a substantial portion of the second shift at home: cooking, homework help, bedtime routines, and general emotional support. Research from the Gender Equity Policy Institute backs this up, showing that working women in the U.S. spend twice as many hours on childcare and housework as working men do. The big chunk of uninterrupted time that these authors count onwhether its a 5 a.m. stretch of sacred hours or a mini-sabbatical to reboot creativityjust doesnt exist in my life. If I tried to follow their advice, Id be setting myself up for failure or burnout.Here are just a few staples of popular productivity books that dont mesh with my life as a working mother:Early-Morning Routines: Waking at dawn isnt viable if youre up at night with a restless kid or catching up on work after bedtime. Even if I do manage to rise before the sun, I often have immediate caregiving tasks.Long, Uninterrupted Blocks of Deep Work: A meeting-heavy work schedule coupled with planned obligations, unplanned crises, and countless mom, can you help me? moments mean interruptions are part of my normal.Outsourcing Everything: Emotional laborlike scheduling playdates and tracking immunizationsdoesnt vanish just because you hire a virtual assistant. Plus, not everyone can afford or justify it.Rigid Scheduling or Time Blocking: Kids dont operate on neat timetables (and, really, work doesnt either). Its tough to block off an hour for anything when a single text from school can upend your day.Cutting Obligations. For mothers, certain obligations arent optional (e.g., kids doctor appointments, parent-teacher conferences, emotional support).How I stay productive (and happy)I didnt learn these tactics from a book, but Ive discovered my own methods that workwith motherhood, work demands, and a rich personal life.1. Appropriate MultitaskingYes, multitasking often gets a bad rep, but Ive found a sweet spot when combining tasks that use different parts of my brain. Years ago, my then-5-year-old refused to sleep unless I sat in the corner of his room. While I waited for him to drift off, I wrote huge sections of my book on my phone. I also created an entire art series using Post-it notes and Sharpies during meetings where I only needed to listen, not present. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while commuting or walking the dog. For me, its about being respectful to the momentif Im in a collaborative meeting or spending quality time with someone, I focus. But when theres an open lane to combine activities without shortchanging anyone, I take it.2. Energizing ActivitiesThe biggest productivity hack, in my experience, is to fill my life with meaningful work and relationships. I dont have to muster the willpower to juggle my projects if they invigorate me. If I start feeling drained or resentful, thats a sign I need to rethink how Im spending my time. Surrounding myself with people, initiatives, and side projects that fill my cup ensures I have more energy for everything.3. Rethinking productivityMaybe the most crucial shift is defining productivity on my own terms. I view time with my family and friends as productiveIm investing in relationships that matter. Creative hobbieslike aerial arts or art projectsare also productive, because they nourish my mental health. And rest is productive, because it replenishes the energy I need to show up fully in work and life.By refusing to measure myself strictly in terms of checked-off tasks or hours of deep work, Im able to free myself from the rigid structures that productivity books champion. Instead, I aim for a life thats fulfilling, balanced, and aligned with my prioritiesfamily, creativity, growth, and community.Im not knocking productivity gurus entirely; some people find motivation and clarity in those pages. But as a busy woman who shoulders domestic responsibilities alongside a big career and personal passions, I quickly realized their methods didnt reflect my world.If youre feeling squeezed by responsibilities and the standard advice rings hollow, dont assume youre doing it wrong. You might just need an approach shaped byand forthe realities of working moms.Remember: Your productivity isnt measured by how well you follow someone elses formulaits measured by how effectively you create a life that works for you. The best lessons about getting things done dont come from books written by those with different realities; they come from crafting your own path that honors all parts of who you are and what matters to you.
