Personal Growth for Moms: Adapting Productivity Advice to Your Season of Motherhood

Gleaning Along the Way is a podcast for moms who love personal development but feel like most advice out there doesn’t fit the reality of motherhood. In this episode, I dive into a common challenge: so much of the personal growth space is dominated by men, and while their advice is valuable, it often assumes a level of control over time and energy that moms just don’t have.

I share my own journey of trying to implement popular productivity strategies—like waking up at 5 AM—only to realize they weren’t sustainable in my season of life. Through trial and error, I’ve learned how to tweak personal development principles to actually work for moms, factoring in the mental load, sleepless nights, and shifting seasons of motherhood.

We’ll talk about the difference betweenyearly rhythms andlife-stage seasons, how to set realistic growth goals, and why self-compassion is key. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at personal development because your life doesn’t look like the advice in books, this episode is for you.

Let’s redefine personal growth for moms—one season at a time.

Pay attention to the season you’re in. What rhythms naturally fit your life right now? What expectations do you need to release?

Find your through-lines. What small, non-negotiable habits keep you feeling like yourself? Maybe it’s moving your body, drinking water, getting outside, or staying connected to Scripture. Keep those steady, even if they look different from one season to the next.

Refuse to compare. Your path won’t look like your friend’s, your mentor’s, or the author of that book you just read—and that’s okay. Honor your own journey.

Be kind to yourself. Personal growth doesn’t mean pushing harder; sometimes, it means surrendering to where God has you and trusting that He is growing you in ways you can’t yet see.