Entrepreneurial Parents Work Life Balance: Find Your Flow
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Feb 16
- 6 min read
The “Just One More Task” Tribe: An Ode to Entrepreneurial Parents
Right, let’s be honest, how many times have you, as an ambitious mum (or dad!), whispered to yourself, “Just one more task, then I’m done”? It’s practically our entrepreneurial parent anthem, isn’t it? Between juggling school runs, deciphering toddler tantrums (anyone else fluent in toddler-speak?), & oh yeah, actually running a business, “just one more task” often feels less like a choice & more like a survival mechanism.
I get it. Deeply. See, this is an example of what it’s like trying to find a quiet moment. Right now, I’m literally writing this whilst trying to stop my two-year-old from using the dog's tail as a paintbrush (Espresso is surprisingly patient, bless her!). My PhD research is calling, the washing machine is singing its spin cycle song, & my teenage daughter just informed me she needs a volcano model for tomorrow’s science project. Sound familiar? Thought so!
Embracing the Chaos & Reframing the Juggle
The thing is, this constant juggle, this "just one more task" mentality, often gets framed as a burden, a sign that we’re not doing enough, not being enough. But what if we flipped the script? What if we reframed this not as a burden, but as a badge of honour? A testament to our incredible resilience, adaptability, & sheer superhuman ability to wear a million hats (sometimes literally)?
Remember that time I was trying to finish a proposal for a new AI-driven marketing system – specifically, a chatbot sequence designed to nurture leads & segment audiences based on engagement – for a client, recovering from my fourth C-section, the baby was cluster-feeding, & my eldest needed help with her algebra? Yeah, that was a "just one more task" week. But you know what? I got through it. Not gracefully, perhaps (there may have been tears & a questionable amount of chocolate involved), but I got through it. & So will you. We’re tougher than we think, us entrepreneurial parents. We just get on with things. There was one time, during my early-stage business-building days, where I forgot to put in a lunch order for my child. Honestly, the mum-guilt was real! But to fix it, I created a system – a simple Monday morning calendar review – to ensure it never happened again. Everyone’s happy & healthy, no more forgotten lunches! This showcases how a small system tweak can be a real lifesaver.
Finding Your Flow: Strategies for a Sustainable Juggle
The key, though, is to make this juggling act sustainable. It’s not about striving for some mythical "perfect balance" (because seriously, who has time for that?). It’s about intentionally integrating our various roles & finding systems that work for us, not against us. It’s about finding our flow – that sweet spot where our 'Focus' (mindset), 'Flair' (marketing), and 'Flow' (systems) align beautifully within the Business Flourish Framework.
Here are a few "Juggler's Shortcuts" I’ve learned along the way:
Ruthlessly Prioritize (and Ditch the Guilt): Decide what truly matters. What are the 2-3 essential tasks that will move your business forward today? Focus on those, & let the rest slide (yes, even that overflowing laundry basket). Give yourself permission to say “no” to things that drain your energy or don’t align with your goals. Ditch the "mum guilt" – you’re doing amazing! I remember feeling so guilty about not attending every single school event when my eldest was younger. But I realized that by prioritizing my business growth (which ultimately benefited the whole family), I was actually modeling for her what a strong, empowered woman can achieve.
Consider using a prioritisation matrix to categorise tasks by urgency & importance. Once, I spent an entire day creating beautiful Instagram graphics, only to realize I hadn't actually followed up on any client leads. Prioritizing income-generating tasks first is key. This resonates with what Cody Sanchez often emphasizes: “The goal isn’t to be famous, it’s to be rich. & Rich is just having more passive income than expenses.” Prioritisation is all about focusing on what truly matters for your financial freedom.
Schedule your prioritised tasks into time blocks, treating them like important client appointments.
Embrace Imperfect Action: Done is better than perfect, especially when you’re juggling a million things. It’s like learning to ride a bike – remember my school-aged daughter? She wasn't focused on a perfect, medal-winning performance. She wanted to experience the freedom, the wind in her hair. In that initial moment of progress, she wasn’t thinking perfect technique, she was just riding. Similarly, embrace those imperfect steps toward your business goals. Focus on progress, not flawlessness. The refinements can come later. The goal is always action – especially when working with systems that can aid you through this. It took me a while to overcome the perfectionism that kept me from launching my first online course. I was so focused on getting every detail "just right" that I almost didn't launch at all. But I pushed through the fear, embracing that messy, imperfect first launch. I’m still refining and learning, but if I hadn't embraced that imperfect action, I wouldn't be where I am today. It was a leap of faith, and an empowering experience.
Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Set realistic deadlines that accommodate your other commitments, acknowledging your unique "tortoise" pace.
Systematize Like Your Sanity Depends On It (Because It Kind Of Does): Implement simple, efficient systems for everything – client onboarding, scheduling, social media. Trust me, the right systems can save you hours of precious time & sanity. This is where the ‘Flow’ pillar of the Business Flourish Framework truly shines – creating momentum through efficient systems. When I first started, I was drowning in a sea of sticky notes, spreadsheets, & random to-do lists. It felt like my brain was constantly on fire! But once I implemented simple systems (a CRM, a scheduler, consistent file naming), I could breathe again & actually focus on strategic growth. This also created more space for integrating AI—true ‘Fusion’ in action!
Explore AI tools to truly streamline your processes & reach your business goals. This could include automating email responses, scheduling social media posts, or even creating personalised video messages. Delegate or ditch what’s not serving you.
Create checklists or standard operating procedures (SOPs) for recurring tasks to minimise mental load & ensure consistency.
Use project management tools (like Trello or Asana) to organise tasks & track progress.
Fuel Your Fire (Without the Burnout): Prioritize your wellbeing. Even micro-moments of self-care can make a huge difference. A quick walk in nature (even if it’s just around the block), a few minutes of meditation (the Calm app is my go-to), or simply a cup of tea in peace (once the kids are finally asleep!) can recharge your batteries & help you tackle that "just one more task" with renewed energy. This is what the ‘Fuel’ pillar is all about - sustaining your energy for the marathon, not just the sprint. I used to think self-care meant spa days & weekend getaways (which, let’s be honest, are rare with four kids!). But then I realized that even five minutes of deep breathing whilst hiding in the pantry (true story!) can be a powerful reset. Finding those micro-moments is essential, even if some days my only moment of quiet is trying to shower without a small person deciding it's time for a sing-along at the top of their lungs!
From "Just One More Task" to "Just One More Win"
This entrepreneurial parent journey isn’t about magically eliminating the chaos (let’s face it, that’s part of the fun!). It’s about finding strategies to navigate it with intention, grace, & a healthy dose of humour. It’s about embracing our multi-faceted roles & celebrating every win, no matter how small.
I’m curious, what’s one small, smart step you can take today to make your "just one more task" journey feel more empowering? Share your win (or even your funny juggle story) in the comments below! It can feel lonely sometimes, right? Especially when we’re juggling so much. Let’s connect & support each other.
P.S. Need more support building those smart systems & achieving true work-life integration? Check out our Momentum Coaching programme.
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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!
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