At the start of the year, many of us feel overwhelmed by the thought of achieving our goals. According to our guest on the show, Risa Williams, this disconnect often arises from the pressure to constantly perform and the fear of not measuring up.
Risa, a therapist and author, joins us to share her insights on how to break free from toxic productivity, embrace self-care, and shift between different roles with intention. Whether you’re balancing family life, work, or personal time, Risa’s practical tools will inspire you to show up as your best self in every area of your life.
Today we…
- Learn to Shift Between Roles: Discover how to “take off the hat” and move between work, mom, and personal time with clarity.
- Understand Toxic Productivity: Hear why pushing yourself too hard can lead to burnout and how to break free from this cycle.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Find out how resting and giving yourself grace can lead to greater productivity and energy.
- Be Present: Learn how focusing on the moment can improve your relationships with your kids, partner, and yourself.
Embrace Small Shifts: Hear Risa’s advice on making small changes that add up to big results for your mental health and overall well-being.
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Rather read? Check out the show notes and episode content right here!
Show Notes: Overcoming Toxic Productivity with Risa Williams
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #224 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
🎙️ Does this sound like you? It’s the start of a brand-new year, and you’re determined to make it your best one yet—but already, the to-do list feels never-ending. You’ve listened to all the podcasts, tried all the planners, and still feel like something’s missing. If only you could find that secret to doing it all without feeling completely overwhelmed.
What if I told you that you can make 2025 your most productive, balanced, and joyful year yet—without doing it all?
Inside The Supermom Society, our private community designed just for busy moms, we help you do exactly that.
Every week, we work together to craft a plan that fits your life—productive and doable. Every month, we dive into strategies to help you boost your energy, master your time, and finally beat burnout for good. And the best part? You’ll have a community of moms just like you, cheering you on and sharing this journey.
This year doesn’t have to feel like a sprint to keep up—it can be the year you savor every moment while still crushing your goals. Today is the perfect time to join us in The Supermom Society! Visit www.thesupermomsociety.com for all the details.
Let’s make 2025 your year to thrive—I can’t wait to see you inside! 🎙️
In today’s episode of The Secrets of Supermom Show, we’re diving deep into the concept of balancing productivity with self-care. I’m joined by Risa Williams, a therapist, author, and host of the Motivation Mindset podcast, who shares practical tools for overcoming toxic productivity, being kinder to ourselves, and shifting between the different roles we juggle as busy moms. We explore how showing up intentionally in each of our roles—whether that’s as a mom, partner, or professional—can lead to more focus, clarity, and connection.
How to “Take Off the Hat” and Shift Gears
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly wearing multiple hats—work mode, mom mode, partner mode, and so on—Risa’s advice on learning how to “take off the hat” might resonate. We talk about how it’s easy to wear the “work hat” all day long, even after hours, but knowing when to switch gears is key to feeling more balanced and present.
Risa shares how she’s learned to fully step out of work mode, giving herself permission to be fully in mom mode when spending time with her kids, and how that shift impacts her energy and focus. The ability to consciously leave work behind and step into a new role—whether it’s family time, podcasting, or personal time—is a game-changer for productivity and emotional well-being.
The Importance of Presence in Relationships
One of the highlights of today’s episode is our discussion on being present—truly present—with the people who matter most. Whether it’s with our kids, partners, or even ourselves, the power of being fully engaged in the moment can’t be underestimated. Risa explains how the act of “putting on your mom hat” and mentally shifting your focus allows you to be more attentive and intentional, leading to better relationships and stronger connections.
We also touch on the fact that it’s easy to get distracted, even when we think we’re doing the right thing. For example, answering emails while “listening” to our kids can leave us feeling disconnected and out of sync. Instead, Risa encourages us to apologize when we slip up, reset, and give our full attention to the person in front of us. Modeling this for our kids not only fosters healthier relationships but also teaches them how to manage their own time and attention.
Toxic Productivity: Breaking Free from the “Factory Robot Mode”
We also dive into the concept of toxic productivity—a mindset that overvalues constant output at the expense of well-being. Risa explains that when we’re in “factory robot mode,” we prioritize getting things done over taking care of ourselves, leading to burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion. She shares how we often fall into the trap of toxic productivity without even realizing it.
Instead, Risa suggests embracing healthy productivity, where we focus on balance and give ourselves permission to rest without feeling guilty. This mindset shift can transform how we approach both our professional and personal lives, giving us more energy, more clarity, and more fulfillment.
Self-Care: A Key to Greater Productivity
One of the most counterintuitive pieces of advice we cover is how rest can actually lead to getting more done. When we let ourselves rest and recover, our energy and focus improve, allowing us to accomplish tasks more efficiently when we do work. It’s a reminder that our bodies and minds need downtime to stay productive in the long term.
As we talk about rest, Risa highlights that our bodies are constantly at work even when we’re resting—replenishing energy, repairing tissues, storing memories, and solving problems. Without rest, we’re essentially pushing ourselves to the brink of burnout. By prioritizing self-care, we give ourselves the ability to show up with more energy and presence.
A Simple, Powerful Step to Take Today
As we wrap up, Risa offers a simple but transformative piece of advice for busy moms: be kinder to yourself. This shift can take many forms—from giving yourself grace on days when you don’t get everything done to forgiving yourself when you’re not perfect. It’s about starting to notice when we’re being too hard on ourselves and shifting to a mindset of self-compassion. This small step is the foundation for greater well-being and balance in all areas of life.
Where to Find Risa Williams and Her Book
Risa’s new book is available at major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble. You can also support independent bookstores by purchasing through Bookshop.org. If you’re in Los Angeles, Risa will be doing a book talk and signing at Book Soup on Sunset on February 21st—be sure to check it out!
For more of Risa’s insights, you can find her online at RisaWilliams.com or connect with her on Instagram @RisaWilliamsTherapy. Be sure to check out her podcast The Motivation Mindset, where she dives deeper into many of the concepts we discussed in this episode.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
- Start by being kinder to yourself—acknowledge your efforts and give yourself grace.
- Learning to “take off the hat” allows you to shift between roles (work, mom, partner) and show up with more energy and clarity.
- Being present with your kids and loved ones improves relationships and strengthens connections.
- Toxic productivity can lead to burnout; embracing healthy productivity leads to balance, well-being, and efficiency.
- Rest is productive! Taking breaks and prioritizing self-care boosts your energy and focus, making you more efficient in the long run.
Connect with Risa Williams
www.instagram.com/risawilliamstherapy
GRAB THE BOOK!
https://www.target.com/p/get-stuff-done-without-the-stress-by-risa-williams-paperback/-/A-92742643
About Our Guest: Risa Williams
Risa Williams is a book author, psychotherapist, psychology professor, and time management consultant. She’s the author of five self-help books including: Get Stuff Done Without the Stress, The Procrastination Playbook, The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit, The Ultimate Self-Esteem Toolkit, and The Ultimate Time Management Toolkit. She’s also the host of The Motivation Mindset Podcast, which features organizational tools. She’s been featured in Forbes Magazine, Business Insider, Parade Magazine, and Real Simple. Visit risawilliams. com or follow her at risawilliamstherapy on instagram.
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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.
