When I started my journey into online education, I imagined it would offer me freedom, flexibility, and the ability to work on my own terms. And while it has done all of those things, what I didn’t anticipate was the sheer chaos of juggling my new career while caring for my grandmother.
At the time, my grandmother had recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness that required constant attention. Balancing her medical appointments, daily care, and my own workload felt like trying to complete a puzzle with half the pieces missing. But those challenges forced me to rethink everything I knew about productivity. Through trial, error, and a lot of late nights, I developed strategies that not only helped me survive but thrive.
Here’s what I learned about staying productive during one of the most demanding periods of my life, and how those lessons have shaped my approach to work and life.
Finding a New Definition of Productivity
Before becoming a caregiver, I thought productivity meant getting as much done as possible in the shortest amount of time. I prided myself on my endless to-do lists and the thrill of crossing items off one by one. But caregiving taught me a humbling lesson: sometimes, productivity isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing what matters most.
I remember one day in particular when I had a packed schedule: recording modules for my online course, following up with students, and attending a webinar on course marketing. But that morning, my grandmother needed me. She had a bad reaction to a new medication, and suddenly, everything else felt trivial. By the time the day ended, I hadn’t completed a single work-related task, but I had cared for her.
That day, I learned that productivity is about aligning your actions with your priorities. It’s not about how much you do—it’s about the value of what you do.
The Magic of Time Blocking
One of the biggest breakthroughs in managing my time came when I discovered time blocking. Instead of tackling tasks as they came up, I started dedicating specific blocks of time to specific activities. Mornings were for caregiving tasks, afternoons were for course creation, and evenings were for answering emails or engaging with students.
Time blocking helped me compartmentalize my responsibilities, making each task feel more manageable. It also gave me the freedom to focus fully on one thing at a time without feeling guilty about what I wasn’t doing.
Learning to Delegate and Ask for Help
If there’s one thing caregiving taught me, it’s that you can’t do everything on your own. In the beginning, I tried to be a superhero—managing every aspect of my grandmother’s care while also running my business. It wasn’t sustainable.
Eventually, I learned to ask for help. I hired a part-time assistant to handle administrative tasks for my courses, freeing up time for me to focus on content creation and caregiving. I also leaned on family members, asking them to step in when I needed a break.
Delegating didn’t just lighten my workload—it also allowed me to give my best to the tasks that truly required my attention.
Creating a Support System
One of the most unexpected sources of support came from my students. I had been nervous about sharing my caregiving journey with them, fearing it might come across as unprofessional. But when I opened up about my situation, the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Students sent encouraging messages, shared their own experiences, and even offered tips on managing stress. It reminded me that building a community around my courses wasn’t just about engagement—it was about creating a space where everyone, including me, could feel supported.
Embracing Imperfection
Perhaps the hardest lesson I learned was to let go of perfectionism. In the past, I wouldn’t release a course module unless every detail was flawless. But caregiving forced me to accept that “done” is often better than “perfect.”
There were days when I had to record videos in a single take, knowing they weren’t perfect but trusting that the content was valuable. There were times when I had to send emails with typos because I didn’t have the time to triple-check every word.
What I realized was that my students didn’t expect perfection—they appreciated authenticity. They valued the effort I put into delivering useful content, even if it wasn’t polished to perfection.
Practical Productivity Tips for Caregivers and Entrepreneurs
If you’re juggling caregiving responsibilities with a career or side hustle, here are some tips that worked for me:
1. Prioritize Ruthlessly
Start each day by identifying your top three priorities. Focus on these first, and let go of less important tasks.
2. Use Time Blocking
Set specific times for caregiving, work, and personal activities. Stick to your schedule as much as possible.
3. Simplify Your Tools
Use simple productivity tools, like a digital calendar or a to-do list app, to stay organized without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Communicate Your Needs
Be honest with colleagues, clients, or students about your situation. Most people are understanding and willing to accommodate.
5. Practice Self-Care
Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take breaks, get enough sleep, and make time for activities that recharge you.
6. Celebrate Small Wins
Acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small. Progress is progress, even if it’s slow.
Why This Matters
Balancing caregiving and work isn’t easy, but it’s also not impossible. My journey taught me that productivity isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. It’s about showing up, even when life feels overwhelming, and finding ways to make the most of your time and energy.
For me, this period of my life wasn’t just a challenge—it was an opportunity to grow. I became more empathetic, more resourceful, and more intentional about how I spend my time. And while I wouldn’t wish the struggles of caregiving on anyone, I hope my story can help others find strength and balance in their own journeys.
