Entrepreneurial Focus for Mums: Find Clarity in the Chaos

Embracing the Beautiful Chaos: How to Find Your Entrepreneurial Focus Amidst the Family Frenzy

Juggling family & biz? 🤯 Find focus amidst the frenzy! Time-saving tips & a supportive community await. Thrive with Femmeprenista!

Picture this: It's the morning of a crucial client presentation. I’ve finally managed to wrestle my toddler into something resembling clothes, the baby is gurgling contentedly in his bouncy chair (for now!), & I’m just about to print the final version of my proposal when… disaster. The printer, a temperamental beast that’s older than my teenage daughter, decides to stage a full-blown paper jam protest, spitting ink everywhere like a disgruntled octopus. The ink, of course, chose that exact moment to land on my favourite white shirt. Talk about adding insult to injury!

Sound familiar? Thought so! This, my friends, is the beautiful chaos of being a female entrepreneur & a mum. It's the daily juggle, the constant context-switching, the never-ending to-do list that seems to multiply faster than rabbits on a sugar rush.

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind, to feel like you’re constantly reacting, putting out fires, & never quite getting to the truly important stuff. You know, those big, juicy goals that got you started on this entrepreneurial adventure in the first place? The ones whispering promises of financial freedom, flexibility, & a life lived on your terms?

But what if I told you there’s a way to navigate this beautiful chaos, to not just survive but thrivethrive amidst the family frenzy? What if I told you the key lies not in magically creating more hours in the day (though wouldn’t that be lovely!), but in shifting your mindsetmindset & building smart, resilient systems that work withwith your life, not against it?

From Chaos to Clarity: Reclaiming Your Entrepreneurial Focus

First things first, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room (or maybe it’s a small, sticky-fingered toddler clinging to your leg… equally distracting!). As women, particularly as mothers, we face unique challenges. We’re often the primary caregivers, the household managers, the emotional anchors, all while trying to build & scale a business. It’s a lot. We get it. I live it every single day. Honestly, balancing four kids, a PhD, & running Femmeprenista has been anything but a straight line. My research into female entrepreneurship actually highlights how common this feeling of overwhelm is, especially in the early stages. Even last week, I had a complete meltdown when I realized I'd double-booked a client meeting with my youngest son's first school play. Talk about mum guilt! It's definitely a constant learning process, even with all the systems & strategies I teach.

But here’s the crucial piece: while the challenges are real (believe me, I’ve had my share of “caster oil on the carpet” moments!), our responseresponse to those challenges is what defines our success. We can choose to be victims of circumstance, or we can choose to take ownership & find creative solutions. & trust me, a bit of humour helps! "Every time you overcome a test you make a decision that is in alignment with your future self," as Roxie Nafousi so wisely puts it.8 A study by the University of California found that focusing on solutions rather than problems can improve productivity by up to 40%. So, entrepreneurial focus, even in a hectic household, is absolutely attainable!

Remember that time I was stuck in a lift in Covent Garden with my eldest? Panic? Not really. I knew she was safe at school, so it was actually quite a calm experience, oddly enough. It made me realise how much stress I usually carry when juggling all the things, compared to that moment of enforced stillness.

It’s a stark contrast to the constant low-level anxiety I used to feel when commuting to my old job in central London from Bedford. That job, while fun, was just too far from my daughter. Train delays, breakdowns, the constant rush to get back on time - all those logistical worries took their toll. It taught me that even a "dream job" can be unsustainable if it doesn't fit the realities of your life. You know, Ali Abdaal often says to “focus on consistency over intensity, especially when starting something new”. Even small adjustments can really pay off. For example, shifting from frantically trying to do everything to consistently implementing a time blocking system can give you a new level of control. My partner, Bear, is a master of this – his PhD research in generative AI demands intense focus, so he's built a system where he dedicates specific blocks of time to deep work, family time, & even his beloved gaming sessions. It’s not perfect, but it keeps him (mostly!) sane.

Building Your Fortress of Focus: Strategies for the Juggle

So, how do we cultivate this entrepreneurial focus amidst the chaos? Here are a few strategies I’ve found invaluable on my own journey:

Intentional Time Blocking (Yes, Even with Kids!):Intentional Time Blocking (Yes, Even with Kids!): I know, I know. Scheduling with kids sounds like an oxymoron, right? But even small pockets of protected time, strategically placed throughout the day, can make a huge difference.
Identify Your Power Hours:Identify Your Power Hours: When are you most focused & energetic? Block those times for your most important tasks. For me, it's often early mornings before the kids are up or nap time.
Communicate Clearly:Communicate Clearly: Let your family know when you're in "work mode" and need uninterrupted time. This might involve some creative negotiation (and the occasional bribe!). I recently tried this strategy only to find my two-year-old had redecorated the office wall with peanut butter. It's a work in progress! One trick I’ve learned is to involve them in the process – my school-aged daughter loves to “help” me by setting a timer for my work blocks. It keeps her engaged and gives me a clear endpoint.
Leveraging the Power of AI (Fusion):Leveraging the Power of AI (Fusion): This is where strategically integrating AI becomes your secret weapon. Think smart scheduling tools, automated email responses, even AI-powered content creation assistants. I use AI to automate my social media scheduling & research trends, freeing up time for strategic planning & client work. These tools can free up precious time & mental energy, allowing you to focus on the strategic parts of your business.
Start Small:Start Small: Begin with one AI tool that addresses a specific pain point. Don’t try to automate everything at once. A simple scheduling tool like Calendly can be transformative for booking client calls without the endless back-and-forth emails.
Focus on Integration:Focus on Integration: Think about how AI can enhance your existing systems, not replace them entirely. AI is a tool, not a takeover!
Creating Your "Circle of Safety":Creating Your "Circle of Safety": “Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows." This quote from Lisa Nichols beautifully describes the importance of prioritizing your wellbeing, even amidst the craziness. Even small moments of self-care – a quick meditation, a walk in nature, or (let’s be honest) a quiet cuppa while the kids are occupied – can make a world of difference.
Schedule Self-Care:Schedule Self-Care: Treat it like any other important appointment. Literally put it in your calendar!
Start Small:Start Small: Even 5 minutes of deep breathing can make a difference. Build from there. One of my favourite self-care rituals is lighting a scented candle & enjoying a cup of herbal tea before bed. It signals to my brain that it’s time to unwind.
Building Systems for Smooth Sailing:Building Systems for Smooth Sailing: This is where having robust systems in place becomes your best friend. When you're feeling overwhelmed, systems can be a lifesaver. Think clear client onboarding processes, automated invoicing, scheduled social media posting. For instance, a clear onboarding process might involve a welcome email with a questionnaire, a scheduling link for the first call, & a checklist of pre-work. This not only streamlines the process for you but also creates a professional & reassuring experience for your client.
Document Your Processes:Document Your Processes: Write down every step of a key task. You'll be amazed at what you can automate or delegate.
One System at a Time:One System at a Time: Start with one key area (e.g., client onboarding) & build a system for it. Then move on to the next.
Embrace Imperfection & Celebrate Small Wins:Embrace Imperfection & Celebrate Small Wins: The entrepreneurial journey isn’t a perfectly manicured Instagram feed; it’s messy, unpredictable, & often hilarious. Embrace the imperfections, learn from the inevitable setbacks (remember, “there is no failure, only feedback”), & celebrate every single win, no matter how small. Did you manage to send out that newsletter despite a toddler clinging to your leg? Win! Did you finally figure out that tricky tech issue while simultaneously refereeing a sibling squabble? Massive win!

Business Flourish Framework

Finding Your Tribe: You're Not Alone in This Juggle

It can feel incredibly lonely navigating this entrepreneurial journey, especially as a mum. I remember those early days with my first business venture, Nisbett & George (co-founded during university after the E-Factor competition when I was a new mum), feeling like I was constantly paddling upstream against the current. My co-founder, without children at the time, had different priorities & capacity, which created challenges. It taught me invaluable lessons about partnerships & the unique challenges of being a mother-entrepreneur.

That’s why building a supportive community is so crucial. Surrounding yourself with other women who get itget it, who understand the unique joys & challenges of this juggle, can be a game-changer. "When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too,” as Paulo Coelho reminds us.

Femme:Connect Community Page

Our Femme Connect community is a space for ambitious female entrepreneurs, at all stages, to connect, share experiences, support each other, & celebrate the wins (big & small!). If you're a Visionary Leader looking to connect with like-minded women in those early stages, or any stage of your entrepreneurial journey for that matter, it's your tribe, your safe haven, your virtual kitchen table where you can share your "caster oil on the carpet" moments & know you're not alone. We've got masterclasses on attracting your first clients, tips for navigating the school holiday juggle (because who gets 12 weeks off in the corporate world, right?), & accountability partners to keep you motivated.

Ready to Embrace the Beautiful Chaos?

The journey of a female entrepreneur, especially a mum, is a unique blend of challenge & triumph, frustration & fulfillment. It's the beautiful chaos, the constant juggle, but it’s ourour beautiful chaos. Embrace it, find the humour in it, & remember, you are capable of incredible things.

Your smallest viable step? Join our thriving Femme Connect community today.

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