CEO Mum Work Life: How I Juggle It All (You Can Too!)
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Dec 27, 2024
- 7 min read
A Day in My Flourishing Life: Juggling CEO & Mum of Four
Right, let's be honest, the phrase "work-life balance" can feel like chasing rainbows for us busy mums trying to build empires whilst simultaneously navigating the beautiful chaos of family life. It's like trying to apply perfectly matched eyeliner whilst cleaning peanut butter (or is it slime this time?) off the carpet... with one hand… whilst also answering a work call. Sound familiar? (Or maybe it's the recorder your daughter insists on playing during your Zoom meetings!)
But what if I told you it is possible? That integrating work & life isn't a myth, but a reality built on intentional choices, smart systems, & – dare I say it – embracing the perfectly imperfect juggle? It’s not about flawless harmony; it’s about intentionally designing a life that accommodates all of you. Especially when, like so many of us millennial mums, you’re doing it without the traditional village of support. Grandparents are still working, childcare costs are through the roof (almost as high as rent these days!), and sometimes it feels like you’re juggling chainsaws, not just teething toddlers and to-do lists.
I'm opening the doors & giving you a peek behind the curtain of my day, demonstrating how I, as a CEO & mum of four (plus two miniature pinchers who think they’re honorary children!), weave the principles of smart working into every precious hour. Because that’s the key, isn't it? Working smarter, not just harder. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way, from pulling all-nighters during my MBA at Cranfield (whilst also wrangling a toddler, might I add!) to the early days of my first proper business venture, Nisbett and George, when I realised that passion alone doesn't pay the bills – or the ever-increasing price of a simple block of cheese!
Morning Mayhem & Mindset Magic
My mornings usually start before the sun thinks about rising. It's a delicate dance between sneaking in some quiet time for reflection (and maybe a strong coffee!) before the whirlwind descends. My teenage daughter has a knack for needing "THE most important thing" five minutes before we're due out the door, and my toddler firmly believes socks are optional, no matter the weather. Honestly, sometimes it feels like I'm running a pre-school, not a business coaching hundreds of women! This is where a bit of positive thinking and visualization helps. Just picturing myself calmly navigating the morning rush, everyone dressed and fed (mostly!), can make all the difference.Just picturing myself calmly navigating the morning rush, everyone dressed and fed (mostly!), can make all the difference.
There was a time when just getting everyone out the door felt like a monumental win, never mind launching a business, scaling it to multiple six figures, and doing it all whilst pursuing my PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship. This journey hasn’t been easy, and it definitely hasn’t been linear.
Focused Flow: Powering Through the Priorities
Once the school run is conquered (a feat worthy of its own Olympic medal some days!), it’s time to dive into focused work. This is where smart systems & AI integration truly become my lifesavers.
For example, using Calendly for scheduling has saved me hours each week – time I can now spend on client work or, you know, actually having a conversation with my partner without Espresso "helpfully" shredding important documents in the background!
My partner & I have meticulously designed our processes to leverage technology wherever possible. Think automated emails using Mailchimp, project management with Trello, & even an AI assistant like Jasper to help with blog posts & social media content. Remember, efficiency is key when you're running a business & a household, especially when you’re juggling multiple kids, a PhD, and recovering from your fourth C-section like I am right now! It's why I'm so passionate about helping other mums work smarter.
If you're a Foundation Builder, just starting out and feeling overwhelmed by all the tech, our Launch Programme is perfect for setting up those essential business systems so you can secure your first clients. You can find out more about how we help here: Launch Programme
Family Fusion: Blending Business & Belonging
Midday often means a break for family lunch & genuine connection. As a Foundation Builder, you’re probably juggling a million things, from validating your idea to finding your first few clients. It’s easy to let the “urgent” tasks crowd out the important ones, like connecting with your family. Trust me, I’ve been there. This is my non-negotiable time to truly be present with my kids, hearing all about the school day dramas or deciphering my youngest’s unique brand of toddler language (which often involves pointing, grunting, & the occasional dramatic sigh!). It's a reminder that the "why" behind building my business is all about creating a life where I can be there for these precious moments. And sometimes, just sometimes, it also means letting the washing pile up a little higher, or ordering takeout instead of cooking a gourmet meal. As entrepreneurs, especially as mums, we’re allowed to choose our battles.
Afternoon Acceleration: Client Connections & Creative Sparks
Afternoons are usually dedicated to client calls, coaching sessions, or strategic brainstorming. My client-facing time is always child-free (a non-negotiable boundary!), but the background juggle is a very real part of the entrepreneurial mum life. This is where I get to witness firsthand the power of transformation as I guide incredible women to achieve their version of flourishing.
For instance, just yesterday, a client shared how overwhelmed she felt juggling her business & three kids. By simply implementing a few AI tools like Otter.ai for transcribing meeting notes and Later.com for scheduling social media posts, she was able to free up a whole afternoon for focused work - and finally have dinner with her family without checking emails under the table!
This is something I'm deeply passionate about. I've helped hundreds of women, many of them mums like me, launch & scale their businesses, integrating smart strategies with the realities of their lives. I built my business from the ground up, starting with just an idea and a whole lot of determination, whilst raising my family and completing my MBA & now my PhD. It’s a journey I’m still on, and it definitely hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
As Lisa Nichols says, "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer." This is why I do what I do. This is why I help women step into their greatness.
Evening Ease: Recharging & Reconnecting
As the day winds down, it's crucial to prioritize recharging. As a Foundation Builder, time is your most precious resource. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of working late into the night, trying to do “all the things.” I’ve been there. There have been weeks when my to-do list felt longer at the end of the day than it did at the beginning, and my “me time” consisted of scrolling through Instagram at 2 AM whilst simultaneously feeding the baby and trying to answer client emails. It wasn't sustainable, and it definitely wasn't healthy. What I learned, sometimes the hard way, is that you can't pour from an empty cup. A quiet evening walk, a mindful moment, or some playtime with the little ones (and the eternally energetic Espresso!) helps me unwind & reconnect with my family after a busy day. Evenings are also a great opportunity to connect with my partner. Date nights, even simple ones, are non-negotiable. We’ve learned the hard way (hello, "working film night" fail!) that nurturing our relationship is just as important as nurturing the business.
Flourishing, Not Just Functioning: You Can Do It Too!
My day, like yours, is a symphony of organised chaos. But by making intentional choices, prioritizing what truly matters (smart strategies, efficient systems, well-being, & leveraging the power of AI!), & embracing the perfectly imperfect juggle, we can design lives & businesses that truly flourish. Remember, if you’re just starting out on your business journey, you’re a Foundation Builder. You’re at the stage of validating your idea, finding your niche, and building a strong foundation. It can feel overwhelming, I know. One of the biggest mistakes I made early on (we're talking pre-Cocoista, even pre-Nisbett & George, back when I thought selling sweets in the playground was the pinnacle of entrepreneurship!), was trying to do everything myself. I was convinced that asking for help was a sign of weakness. What a load of rubbish! What I eventually learned, and what I now teach my clients, is that asking for help is actually a superpower. It’s about recognizing your strengths, acknowledging your limitations, and building a support system that empowers you to thrive.
If I can do it, you absolutely can too. It’s about owning your path, your pace, and working smart, not just hard. After all, as Myron Golden says, "Poor people Major in minor things. Wealthy people Major in Major things.”
Ready to Spark Your Own Flourishing Journey?
Join our amazing Femme Connect community! It’s a supportive space where you can connect with other driven women, share tips for navigating the juggle, & get access to valuable resources that fit YOUR busy life. We talk about everything from mastering tech tools (without needing a computer science degree!) to managing the mental load of motherhood whilst building a business empire. Think masterclasses on attracting your ideal clients, templates that save you precious time, and a whole tribe of women cheering you on every step of the way. Plus, it’s free! What have you got to lose?
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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