· Ana Ant
Productivity Tips from a Startup Founder & Working Mom
Being a working mom of two while running two startups means my days are packed with variety. There’s always something to do: from investor calls and product roadmaps to school events and family logistics.
Over time, I’ve built a simple system that helps me stay productive without losing my mind.
Here are the quick productivity tips that truly work for me:
1. Write everything down in one place
I never rely on memory. Every task, every note—big or small—goes into a single app. No sticky notes on the fridge, no scattered lists in random apps. Having everything in one place reduces mental load and makes sure nothing slips through the cracks.
2. Add context to every task
A task like “call Anna” means nothing a week later. I always add context—“Call Anna to confirm design updates for pitch deck”. That way I never waste energy trying to remember why something mattered in the first place.
3. Capture notes on the go
I dictate notes while walking or in between meetings. This article itself started as a voice note. Later, I transcribed it, extracted tasks, and stored everything in Yaranga—so it’s searchable, structured, and never lost inside WhatsApp.
4. Share and collaborate with family
Life admin is teamwork. My husband and I share a folder for shopping lists and kids’ schedules. Dates are set, tasks are checked off, and we can both see what’s overdue at a glance.
5. Use hashtags and search instead of folders
Instead of obsessing over folder structures, I tag notes with hashtags. #birthday_party, #presentation, #kids_school. But my favorite shortcut is simply asking the assistant: “Find my last notes about the birthday party.” No digging needed.
6. Keep tasks with their notes
When I create a task, I keep it in the same folder as the related notes. That way, the context is always there. Tasks still appear in my dedicated task list, but I never lose track of why they exist.
Don’t waste time on perfect organization
Honestly, I don’t have the time or patience to neatly organize notes into folders and subfolders. Everything just goes into one big pile. Later, when I need something, I let the AI assistant do the work—whether it’s finding tasks for a presentation or notes from last week’s investor call. The search is smarter than any folder structure I could build.
Actionable Takeaways
- Centralize your notes and tasks in one app.
- Always add context to tasks.
- Capture thoughts on the go—voice notes count.
- Share a folder with family or co-parents for logistics.
- Use tags and AI search instead of rigid folder structures.
- Keep tasks connected to their source notes.
Life as a founder and mom will always be chaotic. This system doesn’t eliminate chaos but it creates a safety net. Instead of juggling everything in my head, I know where things are and I trust the system. That’s how I stay productive while running startups and raising kids.
