In this episode of The Secrets of Supermom Show, Lori shares her secret to staying productive and reducing overwhelm with her busy mom schedule—weekly planning. By prioritizing energy management and intentionally blocking time on her calendar, Lori is able to hit her goals and still enjoy life’s fun moments. She emphasizes the importance of scheduling time for sleep, movement, food, and personal connection before tackling any commitments.
Lori walks listeners through her planning process, starting with mapping out key commitments like meetings and appointments. Next, she focuses on her “one big goal” for the week, rather than trying to tackle everything at once. She also discusses how to manage a “master to-do list,” which serves as a brain-dumping space for tasks that don’t need immediate attention.
To ensure flexibility, Lori integrates buffer time and white space into her weekly plan. Buffer time allows for unexpected delays or tasks, while white space is scheduled downtime for recharging or handling last-minute tasks. With this strategy, Lori is able to feel in control, be productive, and maintain balance.
If you’re struggling with constant overwhelm and burnout, weekly planning may be the solution you need to stay on top of your commitments while still making time for self-care and fun. For more planning tips and tools, check out the resources in the show notes and explore the Supermom Society community.
Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. With intentional planning, you can show up as the supermom you’re meant to be!
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Rather read? Check out the show notes and episode content right here!
Show Notes: Busy Mom Schedule
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #207 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
🎙️ Do you feel like you’re juggling a thousand things and still not getting it all done? You listen to podcast after podcast trying to find the best way, but it feels like you must be doing something wrong. If you could just find the perfect schedule or the perfect planner, you could unlock the secret. What if I told you that you can do it all, without actually doing it all?
Inside The Supermom Society–our private community designed just for busy moms like you–we get it.
Every week, together, we help you create a plan that feels both productive and doable. Every month, we help you create a solid plan to boost your energy, sharpen your time management skills, and connect you with other moms who are ready to beat burnout for good.
Being a mom is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. Today is your day to join us in The Supermom Society! Visit www.thesupermomsociety.com for all the details. I can’t wait to see you inside!” 🎙
As a busy mom, juggling family, work, and self-care can often feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a never-ending to-do list, feeling exhausted and uncertain about where to start, you’re not alone. The key to staying productive while maintaining balance lies in strategic planning. In this post, I’ll share the exact steps I take to plan my week, ensuring that I’m not just checking off tasks, but also protecting my energy and making time for what matters most.
1. The Magic of Weekly Planning: Why It Works
Weekly planning is the secret sauce that allows me to hit my goals without feeling overwhelmed. By intentionally blocking time on my calendar and prioritizing tasks, I’ve been able to reduce stress and stay focused. This strategy has been a game-changer not only for me but also for the members of The Supermom Society. We’ve seen how this approach eliminates overwhelm and creates room for both productivity and relaxation.
2. Energy Management Comes First
Before diving into meetings, chores, or projects, I prioritize energy management. As moms, we often put ourselves last—planning out everyone else’s needs and leaving little room for our own. But the truth is, we can’t pour from an empty cup.
Start by scheduling time for:
- Sleep: Rest is non-negotiable for productivity and well-being.
- Movement: Whether it’s a walk or a workout, physical activity boosts both energy and mood.
- Food: Healthy meals fuel the body and mind, so take time to plan nutritious meals.
- Personal Connection: Spending quality time with loved ones nurtures your emotional health.
When you prioritize these first, you’re setting yourself up to show up as your best self throughout the week.
3. Map Out Your Commitments
Once your energy blocks are in place, take a look at your calendar for the week. What commitments do you have? This includes:
- Meetings
- Appointments
- Events
By looking at your calendar in advance, you can spot potential overlaps (like a meeting and a doctor’s appointment at the same time) and resolve them before stress starts creeping in. Planning ahead also helps you avoid last-minute scrambling and surprises.
4. Focus on Your One Big Goal
Rather than trying to do everything, focus on one big goal for the week. What’s the most important thing that, if completed, will make the week a success? This could be a major work project, quality time with family, or finally tackling a long-term goal. Schedule time for this goal, and prioritize it above all else. By identifying your key focus, you reduce the urge to spread yourself too thin.
5. Master Your To-Do List
We all have that master to-do list where everything is dumped, from mundane tasks to bigger projects. The key is not to let this list control you. Instead:
- Look at your to-do list once a week.
- If you can tackle something right away, do it.
- If it’s not urgent, schedule it into your calendar for later.
Rather than feeling overwhelmed by an endless list, you’ll know exactly when to take action on each task. This system allows you to stay focused on what’s most important without getting distracted by tasks that can wait.
6. Buffer Time and White Space: The Secret to Flexibility
No plan goes perfectly. Life happens—unexpected events, delays, or changes in priority. That’s why it’s essential to build buffer time into your week. This is the time set aside to adjust your plans if something takes longer than expected or if an urgent task arises.
Additionally, I schedule white space—time with no planned activities—where I can recharge or catch up on tasks. This helps me avoid burnout and ensures that I always have space to handle life’s curveballs.
7. Making It All Work: A Balanced Approach to Planning
With weekly planning, I’m not just checking off boxes. I’m intentionally creating a life that works for me and my family. This approach allows me to get more done with less stress while still enjoying the fun and fulfilling parts of life. And with buffer time and white space built in, I’m not constantly running on empty.
Ready to Plan Your Best Week Ever?
If you want to dive deeper into how I plan my week and create a balanced, productive life as a busy mom, I invite you to explore more resources from The Supermom Society. Join me in taking the guesswork out of planning and focus on what really matters!
Planning isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, and when you have a clear plan, you can show up as the supermom you are!
Have some ideas as a busy mom? Message on Instagram @SecretsofSupermom and let me know what works for you!
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About the Host: Lori Oberbroeckling
Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling is a mom of four, corporate leader, podcaster, productivity expert, and author of the book Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!
She is passionate about helping parents who want fulfilling careers–or side hustles or passion projects–while also wanting to feel present and connected to their families.
