Reading to Increase Your Productivity

This is Day 3 of the 31 Days to a Better Life: Living Life on Purpose series.  {Subscribe here.}  You can find all of the posts here.

 

Who has time to read?  As someone who loves to read, I still have trouble making room for it.  Yet, reading is important.  Isn’t that what they teach in school? 🙂  Not only can you learn from what you read, you also stay sharp mentally.  Reading fiction also serves as a source of relaxation.  Today, we are focusing on reading to increase your productivity.

You will increase your productivity by learning more about management your time and different roles involved in being a working mom.

What Should You Read?

You should make time to read life- and time-management books over any other genre, if your life isn’t as productive or organized as you’d like it to be. If you don’t like reading paperback books, I can no longer be your friend.  Just kidding.  If carrying around a paperback book doesn’t appeal to you, try reading from a Kindle Paperwhite or Nook, which can be carried in your purse.  They are a light and non-bulky alternative.  You can also subscribe to blogs, reading the new posts on your phone during your lunch break or while waiting on the phone.  Only a Breath and Christian Working Mom are blogs, both written by a working moms.

 

The authors of your book and blog choices may be actual working moms; some may not be.  You should still be able to learn form them, taking away with you what you can use to improve your life. Their advice and personal experiences can provide to you encouragement when facing a similar situation or struggle. A lot of what you read may be the same household tip you’ve heard a dozen other places, but hearing someone’s personal spin on it can change your perspective on it, being able to apply it with success.

 

Tips for Reading

Here are a few tips for reading including book choice and application.
Choose a book or blog that fits you.

Read the back cover of the book (or the about me page of the blog).  If it sounds promising or you can relate with the author, go with it.  If it isn’t at all appealing, then I’d try another one.  You will only be responsive to an author’s message if you can relate to their story.

Choose one book at a time.

Don’t choose to read more than one book at a time.  Limit your blog subscriptions to 3-4. Otherwise, you’ll find reading another undone task to be stressed out about. Let reading be something you look forward to.

 

Apply what you’re reading at your own pace.  

Don’t try to (read or) implement the entire book in a weekend.  I’ve tried that method, only to end in defeat.  Don’t try to necessarily implement the book ideas at the pace the author recommends.  You are a working woman with not much time at home.  You must go at your own pace.

Don’t try to implement every little detail.

It’s somebody else’s plan, not yours.  You make it your own, but change it up, as needed.  Do what works for you, your personality and your family, not against them. Definitely, don’t be a perfectionist, either. Do what you can and be excited that you accomplished something. Cleaning the silverware tray in the kitchen or clearing off your desktop at work are both achievements in themselves.  You don’t have to wait until the entire kitchen is sparkling and the office is organized before you give yourself a pat on the back.  I cleaned off my kitchen counters this weekend and I felt pretty good about it.  It actually gave me the desire to tackle another area, but I decided that I should spend some time with my family, so I watched a movie instead.

 

Recommended Reading

Books specifically written for working moms that will help you increase your productivity include:
Working Mom’s 411: How To Manage Kids, Career and Home – The author, Michelle LaRowe, shows you how to managing kids, career & home, as well as letting go of working mom guilty, if you still carry it.
Chasing Superwoman: A Working Mom’s Adventures in Life and Faith – While touching on subjects of daycare and multitasking, the author, Susan M. DiMickle, offers you the gifts of laughter, insight and grace.
Moms on the Job: 7 Secrets for Success at Home and Work – Learn how you can give 100% on the job and 100% to the family simultaneously Is that even possible? The author, Sabrina O’Malone, tells you how.

Some other books I’ve read that have some good insight into improving your productivity, include:

Life Management for Busy Women: Living Out God’s Plan with Passion and Purpose and Successful Women Think Differently 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Resilient are both great books.  However, there are so many books you could choose from.  I’d love to list all of the books I’ve read, but that would just show you how much I read and how little I apply anything. 🙂

Although it isn’t written for workings moms, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode still has plenty that can be applied in your life.  {Read my review here.}  Ingredients for Success: 10 Best Practices for Business and Life is a book obviously written for the working person. {Read my review here.}

Now, you must choose one book (and only one book for now) that you are going to read. This is your journey to becoming more productive.  Find the encouragement you need by reading and applying what works for you.

 

What book or tip do you recommend to other working moms for increasing productivity?  If you don’t have one, then tell me, where are you struggling the most right now as a working mom (and which book you’ve chosen)?  Leave a comment below.