It’s 2:00 p.m. You’re on your third cup of coffee, your inbox is a war zone, and your brain feels like it has 42 tabs open. You can’t seem to focus on anything – or maybe you’re so overwhelmed that you freeze and default to doing nothing. You keep checking your phone. Your inbox. Refreshing the same tabs. You’re waiting for someone to tell you what to do next instead of taking control of your to-do list.
When you’re at your job, you’re thinking about all the things you need to get done at home. When you’re at home, you’re thinking about all the things you need to get done at work. Your brain seems to never shut off, and you don’t feel present anywhere.
You wonder how you’ve felt so busy all day yet accomplished so little.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. So many of us, especially as working moms, are juggling full plates, distracted minds, and constant pressure to perform.
But even in the chaos, God calls us to something greater: excellence. Not perfection. Not striving for approval. Excellence.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24.
This verse isn’t meant to pile on guilt. It’s an invitation to shift our focus and to remember who we’re ultimately working for. It’s about honoring God with your time, gifts, and responsibilities. When we work with our hearts fixed on Him, even the most ordinary tasks take on eternal value.
That’s why I want to share simple, practical ways to stay focused, present, and productive at work, without losing sight of what matters most.
We may not always be able to control the chaos around us, but we can choose our attitudes and how we show up in it. A little intentional focus at work can turn scattered, stressful days into purposeful ones. Here are a few simple ways to stay productive and honor God in your work.
Practical Tips for Staying Productive
- Start with an organized inbox. You can control your inbox, or you can let it control you. It’s a lot like the mindset of getting up early so you can control your day. This is a continuation of that. Starting with an organized inbox will give you the sense of ownership and confidence to get through the day – on your terms. I’ll share my personal system in a future post.
Tip: Check your email inbox ONLY at set times throughout the day. Checking your email all day will only distract you from your primary tasks. Trust me, if it’s an emergency, they will call you.
- Use simple productivity tools. Maybe you already know about this wonderful app, but I was only introduced to it a couple of years ago: Microsoft To-Do List. If you’re using the Microsoft suite, then you already have it. The visual accountability and that little *ding* you hear when you complete a task is so satisfying!
- Match tasks to your energy levels. It really is a thing that workers have more productive times of the day. After you’ve had your coffee, and organized your inbox and your to-do list, tackle your hardest tasks first, while your mind is fresh. Save low-energy work (respond to emails, admin tasks) for the afternoon slump.
Tip: Block out a couple of hours on your calendar for “focus time” in the mornings and stick to it. You can even go on DND for a couple of hours for really important tasks. It will be okay!
- Eliminate focus stealers. If you’re like me, then you may be easily distracted and pulled away from your important tasks at work. Over time, I’ve found a few things that have helped to decrease these distractions:
- Turn off desktop notifications. This one is huge. You do not need to respond to every single email right away. Remember, they’ll call you if its important.
- Check email at set times. Example: first thing in the morning, after lunch, and an hour before you leave. Checking your email all day keeps you on those lower-level tasks that keep you feeling busy but unproductive.
- Silence unnecessary chat pings. Also, let’s just make silencing notifications a normal thing all the time (I know my husband would disagree – lol).
- Keep your workspace as distraction-free as possible. This is especially important if you work from home. Keep your work area completely separate.
- Put your personal phone on “do not disturb.” If you’re picking up your phone all the time, you can easily be tempted to check those other fun apps too. If you’re the main contact for your kids’ school, then you may not be able to do this. You may have to be creative if your phone is a temptation for you (delete the social apps, etc.).
- Remember your “why.” Being productive has a lot to do with your attitude towards work, and there will be days when you don’t feel like giving your all at work. This is when you will have to dig deep, push through those feelings, and remind yourself of the reason you’re working so hard. It helps me to keep pictures of my family on my desk at work. It is truly motivating when I’m not “feeling it.”
Encouragement for the Weary Worker
When I first went back to work, I struggled with resentment. I wanted to be home, and comparison stole my joy. But learning to trust that God had me right where He wanted me changed everything. Getting into God’s Word every day and working ‘unto the Lord’ helped me find peace and purpose right where I was.
Bitterness and envy will hold you back from being the best worker, wife, and mom you can be. Remember that God doesn’t make mistakes, and he has you right where you are supposed to be, on purpose.
He has you.
You may feel that you’re stretched so thin that you can’t do everything as well as you used to as a stay-at-home mom. Remember, your worth and your success are not tied to your output. But doing your very best and honoring God through focused work brings purpose to even the most ordinary tasks.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Trusting God in where he has me and doing my work as unto the Lord has helped me to change my attitude about work. It’s helped me to give my best in the tasks he’s given me to do. And it reminds me that to be part of his work is a blessing and a privilege.
Final Thoughts
Let me encourage you by reminding you that it’s hard. All of it. All work is hard. I know that doesn’t sound like encouragement, but I’m going to be your big sister for a minute. Don’t buy the lie that you’re supposed to be comfortable, or other moms have it better than you. You will never stop working or learning or striving to be better if you are working unto the Lord. As soon as you get over one mountain, you’ll see another mountain right in front of you.
Ponder that for a moment. Run toward the hard. God is refining you (what a privilege!).
There will be messy days, but you can rest in the fact that we serve a gracious God who is always with you. You’re not alone. And there is joy in serving the Lord and trusting him in where he has you.
Takeaways
Do your best to be focused right where you are. Whether at home or at work. Give your best at your 9 to 5, so that you can be present with your family at home and give them the best wife and mommy. They don’t need you to be perfect, but they do need the best – the present – you.
Try implementing one of the tips listed above at work. Write Colossians 3:23-24 on a post-it note and stick it on your monitor to remind you of your purpose. Remember to pray before you begin your work. Ask God to give you focus, strength, and energy. Ask him to show you what he has for you throughout the day.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
This week, choose excellence and work with your whole heart – for the One who sees you and sees it all.
Run your race on purpose. Stay faithful. Finish well.
Faithful Working Mom 