As moms, we wear many hats—nurturers, teachers, home managers, entrepreneurs, and everything in between. The whirlwind of daily responsibilities can feel overwhelming at times, leaving us wondering how to fit it all in without sacrificing ourselves or our sanity. I’ve been there too! That’s why I’m so passionate about sharing strategies that help moms not only survive but thrive.
One of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered is something I call routine stacking. It’s a simple concept that has completely transformed my life and the way I run my household. By combining similar tasks and building intentional routines, I’ve found that I can make better use of my time while keeping my stress levels in check.
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The Power of Routine Stacking
But let’s be real—it’s not just about squeezing more into your day. Routine stacking is about creating flow and ease in your life so that you feel more in control and less frantic. I’m all about working smarter, not harder, and this approach helps me prioritize the things that matter most to me—like spending quality time with my family—while still getting everything done.
I know what it feels like to juggle multiple roles, and I want to share with you the exact steps that can help you implement this strategy, too. Whether you’re running a household, growing a business, or just trying to find time for yourself, routine stacking can bring peace and efficiency into your day.
This is just one of the many powerful strategies we dive into inside the Systemize Your Life program, where we focus on simplifying your routines to create more peace and productivity in your life. For those new to this approach, it’s a game-changer that will help you create systems that serve you, allowing more time for what truly matters in life.
Steps to Implement Routine Stacking
Routine stacking is all about making the most of your day by layering complementary tasks together. The key idea is to optimize your time, so you can accomplish more with less effort. Instead of jumping from task to task, routine stacking allows you to seamlessly transition between activities that fit naturally together, making your day flow more smoothly. Think of it like meal prepping or budgeting: by planning ahead and combining related tasks, you eliminate wasted time and get more done in a way that feels almost effortless.
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re constantly putting out fires or wasting time on little things that could be more efficient, then routine stacking might be the game-changer you need. Below, I’ll break down exactly how to implement this strategy with actionable steps, making it simple to adopt and stick with. Whether you’re a busy mom juggling household tasks, a working professional, or simply looking to optimize your time, these steps will help you start routine stacking today for a more productive and stress-free life.
#1: Assess Your Current Routine
Before you can start stacking routines effectively, you need to take a close look at your current routine. You need to know where your time is going before you can create a plan for it. So, where is your time going?
Actionable Step:
Take a day or two to observe your typical routine and jot down the tasks you do daily. Pay attention to how much time you spend on each activity—both productive and non-productive tasks. You could even set a timer for specific tasks to gauge exactly how long things take. This step is your audit of your daily routines, helping you identify the time-wasters or areas where you’re already operating efficiently. Once you know your baseline, you’ll know what to keep, what to adjust, and where to stack routines for better flow.
Small changes in your routine can have a big impact on your peace of mind.
#2: Choose Tasks That Complement Each Other
Routine stacking works best when tasks naturally fit together—like matching puzzle pieces. The idea is to find activities that pair well so you can accomplish more in less time, without feeling overwhelmed. For instance, think of how you might group tasks like tidying the kitchen while your coffee brews, or meal planning while your kids finish their homework.
Actionable Step:
Make a list of tasks that you do every day, then identify ones that require minimal mental energy or waiting time. For example, could you fold laundry while catching up on a podcast? Or, maybe you can prep breakfast while organizing the next day’s lunches. Once you’ve identified these pairings, you’ll be ready to stack them in a way that feels productive and seamless. The goal is to make these stacks part of your natural flow, so you don’t even think about them—they just happen.
#3: Start Small and Build Gradually
It’s important to start with small, manageable steps. Trying to revamp your entire day at once is overwhelming, and more likely to lead to burnout. Instead, focus on one or two areas of your day where routine stacking would make the biggest difference.
Actionable Step:
Pick just one routine to focus on stacking, like your morning routine. You could try combining getting ready with listening to a daily motivational podcast or preparing breakfast with writing out your to-do list for the day. Once you get comfortable with this routine stack, you can slowly add more. The key is to start with easy wins—you might focus on one specific routine before tackling bigger blocks of time. Build momentum slowly, and let that success inspire you to stack more routines over time.
#4: Track Your Progress
To truly see the benefits of routine stacking, you need to track your progress. Tracking your routines allows you to spot what’s working and what isn’t. When you begin stacking, it can feel like nothing has changed until you realize you’re accomplishing tasks in record time with less stress. This is where tracking your progress becomes crucial. If you don’t already have a planner to help organize your daily routines and time blocks, get the Horacio Planner. It is perfect for keeping everything in one place and ensuring your tasks are prioritized with intention.
Actionable Step:
Keep a simple journal or note on your phone where you write down the routines you’ve stacked and how they’re going. Did folding laundry during a phone call help you save time? Was doing meal prep while listening to an audiobook effective? Make note of which combinations work well and which feel like a struggle. This step is similar to tracking your spending in a budget—it provides clarity and helps you make adjustments as needed. Over time, you’ll see how these small changes are adding up.
#5: Adapt and Adjust Over Time
Routines need to evolve as your needs change. Life isn’t static, and neither are your daily routines. If you hit a bump in the road, or your schedule shifts, don’t be afraid to adjust your routine stacks. Flexibility is key to long-term success.
Actionable Step:
Every few weeks, take a moment to reassess your stacked routines. Are they still working? Do certain combinations need to be swapped out as your schedule changes? For example, maybe your kids’ activities have shifted, and now you need to adjust your after-school routine. Stay flexible and remember that routine stacking is a tool to serve you, not a rigid system to adhere to. By staying open to change, you’ll ensure that your routines continue to serve your life in the best way possible.
Stick to It, Routine Stacking Will Change Your Life
To wrap things up, routine stacking is one of the most effective strategies you can use to regain control of your time and build more intentionality into your day. It’s not about being perfect but about making small, meaningful changes that accumulate over time. By combining tasks that naturally complement each other, you’ll not only accomplish more but also create a more sustainable flow to your routine. This is exactly the kind of productivity mindset we focus on in the Systemize Your Life program, where we dive deeper into these types of systems that simplify your life and allow you to achieve your goals.
If you’re ready to take your daily routines to the next level, I encourage you to check out the Horacio Planner, which is perfect for planning and organizing your day with intention. For more strategies like routine stacking, check out my posts on time management and budgeting, where I break down systems to help you regain control of your schedule and finances. Routine stacking isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s a flexible tool that can help you craft a life that feels less chaotic and more aligned with your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I already have a routine? Can I still use routine stacking?
Absolutely! Routine stacking can work with any existing routine by layering similar tasks together to create a more efficient flow. Even if you’re satisfied with your current routine, you can find areas where small tweaks can make a big difference.
How long does it take to see results with routine stacking?
It depends on how consistent you are, but most people start to notice smoother daily flows within a week or two. The key is to start small, stick with it, and gradually build up your stacks as you feel comfortable. If you’re curious about how these systems are impacting others, come join the conversation inside the Systemize Your Life Facebook Community, where you can see real-life examples and connect with women making these strategies work for their families.
Can I use routine stacking with other productivity systems?
Yes, routine stacking works great alongside other methods like time-blocking or using tools like the Horacio Planner. The idea is to enhance whatever systems you’re already using by making your tasks work together more efficiently.
