Maximizing Small Blocks of Time: A Working Mom's Guide to Getting Things Done in 15 Minutes or Less

As a working mom, you know all too well how hard it can be to find uninterrupted time to focus on projects. Whether it’s a work-related task or something that needs to get done at home, it feels like there’s never enough time to tackle everything you need to do. Your calendar is full of meetings, your to-do list is never-ending, and at the end of the day, you're left feeling frustrated because you just didn't make much progress.

We tell ourselves that we need hours of uninterrupted time to really get into the groove of deep work. But here’s the truth: you don’t need hours. In fact, you can make significant strides on those important tasks, both at work and at home, by leveraging the small pockets of time you already have in your schedule. Even just 15 minutes here and there can be enough to keep moving forward—if you know how to make those small chunks of time work for you.

I want to share how you can harness the power of 15-minutes to make meaningful progress on your goals using the 4 A strategy.

Why You’re Waiting for More Time

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a cycle of waiting for larger chunks of uninterrupted time to get to the “important stuff”? I know I have. As a working mom myself, with three kids, a job, a house to manage, and a marriage and friendships that are important to me, I’m constantly navigating between multiple priorities. There’s always something competing for my attention, and those large blocks of free time seem to be few and far between.

You might find yourself looking at your calendar and see a few 30-minute windows in between meetings or appointments. But rather than feel empowered to use that time, you think, What can I possibly do in just 15 or 30 minutes? It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need hours to do meaningful work. But the truth is, waiting for hours of uninterrupted time is not a sustainable solution because how often does that happen? It’s time to challenge that belief and learn how to make progress in those small windows, because it's what you have.

The Secret to Making Progress

If we’re being honest, as working moms, those long, uninterrupted hours of deep work are a rare luxury. Even when we do manage to carve out a large chunk of time, we often find ourselves interrupted by kids, partners, or work demands. This is the reality of our lives. So, rather than waiting for those elusive “perfect” hours to show up, we need to shift our mindset and get creative with how we use our time.

This is where small time blocks come in. Whether it’s 15 minutes between meetings or a half-hour after the kids go to bed, that time is not insignificant. It can be incredibly powerful if you learn how to use them effectively.

Why 15 Minutes?

You might be wondering, How can I possibly accomplish anything meaningful in just 15 minutes? Well, I’m here to tell you that 15 minutes can be more than enough to make real progress on your goals. In fact, once you start learning how to use these small time chunks strategically, you might be surprised by how much you can accomplish.

When we think of 15 minutes, we often think of filling that time with quick, easy tasks—like responding to emails, scheduling appointments, or sorting through laundry. These are what I call “snack-sized to-dos.” They’re necessary, but they don’t require much brainpower. And while they’re important to stay on top of, they’re not necessarily the tasks that will help you move the needle on bigger goals.

The trick is learning how to apply focus and intention to those 15 minutes in a way that supports your larger projects. Instead of waiting for that one magical moment where you have hours of uninterrupted time, start using those small blocks to take action on the things that matter most.

The 4 A Method:

To help you make the most of those small chunks of time, I’ve developed a simple but effective approach called the 4 A Method. This strategy is designed to help you focus, organize, and take action during those brief, but valuable, 15- or 30-minute intervals.

1. ACCEPT the Reality of Small Time Blocks

The first step is to accept the reality of your schedule. As working moms, we’re unlikely to have long hours of uninterrupted time to focus on big projects. So, instead of waiting for that perfect moment to show up, we need to embrace the fact that the time we have is fragmented, and that’s okay.

By accepting this reality, you stop waiting for large chunks of time and start focusing on making the most of what you already have. You’ll stop holding your projects hostage, waiting for the ideal conditions, and instead, learn to get things done with the time you have available.

2. ASSIST Your Future Self

The second step is all about setting yourself up for success. Think of it like acting as your own assistant. When you’re in a small time block, it’s helpful to set things up so that you can dive straight into your task. For example, if you’re working on a report, maybe you take 5 minutes to outline what needs to be done, or organize your research materials. If you’re painting a room, set out all your supplies so that when you have those 15 minutes, you can dive right in.

You can also leave notes or reminders for yourself so that when you return to the task, you’re not wasting time figuring out where you left off. For example, when I finish a 15-minute burst of work, I often jot down where I left off, so I’m ready to jump back in next time.

3. ACT: Take Action, No Matter How Small

The third step is all about action. It’s easy to get bogged down in overthinking or worrying about whether you can really accomplish anything in just 15 minutes. But the key is to stop thinking and start doing.

Whether it’s drafting a few paragraphs of a report, reviewing a presentation slide, or sorting through a small pile of clothes, take the opportunity to make progress. Yes, it may feel like just a small step, but remember, those small steps add up. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish if you stop waiting for hours of uninterrupted time and simply act.

4. AGAIN: Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

The final step in this process is repetition. The more you practice using your small time blocks, the more natural it will become. Instead of feeling frustrated by interruptions or short windows of time, you’ll start to see them as opportunities to move forward.

Remember, it’s not about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about taking advantage of the time you do have. Over time, these small chunks of work will compound, and you’ll be surprised at how much you've accomplished.

Real-Life Example: Sorting Clothes

Let’s take a look at a real-life example. One of my clients was feeling overwhelmed by the task of sorting through her kids’ clothes. She has two boys, and their closets were overflowing with outgrown clothes, hand-me-downs, and everything in between. She kept waiting for a large block of time to tackle this project from start to finish. But as you can guess that time never came.

Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, we applied the 4 A Method to break the task into smaller chunks. In 15-minute intervals, she sorted through a few items at a time, made piles of things to donate, and organized their closets bit by bit. The project still took time, but by using these small windows, she made steady progress without feeling overwhelmed.

Embrace the Small Moments

As a working mom, your time is precious, and I know it feels like there’s never enough of it. But by embracing small time blocks and using the 4 A Method, you can make real progress on the things that matter most—without waiting for hours of uninterrupted time.

So, the next time you find yourself staring at a 15-minute window in your day, instead of dismissing it as “not enough time,” think about how you can use it to move forward. Start telling yourself that small blocks of time are all you need to keep making progress and remember that every action step counts.