Focus for Female Entrepreneurs: Reclaim Time & Thrive

The Myth of Quiet Time (and How Female Entrepreneurs Can Actually Get Stuff Done)

Feeling frazzled, Femmeprenista? Ditch "quiet time" myths! Reclaim focus & build your empire amidst the chaos. Read on for real strategies!

Alright, let's talk about "quiet time." You know, that mythical period where the world falls silent, the to-do list magically shrinks, & you, dear entrepreneur, finally get to focus on building your empire? Yeah, me neither. Especially not for Foundation Builders juggling the early stages of their business. Especially not with four kids, two miniature pinchers who think bouncing off walls is an Olympic sport, & a PhD research paper staring me down. Sound familiar? Thought so!

As female entrepreneurs, the phrase “quiet time” is often met with a slightly hysterical, slightly desperate laugh. We picture it, right? A steaming cuppa, a pristine desk, the gentle hum of productivity… then BAM! Reality hits. The baby's discovered the joys of emptying the entire contents of the kitchen cupboards (again), your teenager needs a lift to a last-minute party across town, & one of the dogs decides it's the perfect moment to practice her opera singing (Espresso, I'm looking at you!). Suddenly, that peaceful vision looks more like a scene from a comedy sketch than a productive work session. A 2022 study by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor found that women entrepreneurs with children under six cite time management as their biggest challenge. See? It's not just you. It's a universal juggle.

So, what's a driven, ambitious woman to do? Throw in the towel & surrender to the chaos? Absolutely not! We're Femmeprenistas; we thrive in the beautiful mess. But we also need to get things done. We need to find our focus amidst the whirlwind. The key is to redefine "quiet" & reclaim moments of productivity within the reality of our wonderfully full lives. It’s about working smarter, not harder, & designing our businesses to fit the lives we actually live.

Redefining “Quiet”: It’s About Focus, Not Silence

Let’s be honest: true silence is a rare commodity for most of us. I remember when my youngest was a newborn, even a trip to the loo felt like a strategic military operation. "Quiet time" isn't about the absence of noise; it's about the presence of focus. It's a deliberate choice. It's about training your brain, almost like a muscle, to zero in on the task at hand, even when "Baby Shark" is playing on repeat in the background. Honestly, my own journey, especially juggling four kids and a PhD, has shown me that while the path might be slower or different, taking ownership of my focus is non-negotiable. Looking back, when I first started my business, one of my biggest fears was that I'd never find the time to actually dodo the work, with all the demands of motherhood. It felt like an impossible equation. I vividly recall one particularly overwhelming afternoon, with a screaming baby, a pile of laundry the size of Mount Everest, and a looming client deadline, thinking, "How am I supposed to do this?" There were days I just wanted to curl up in a ball and give up. But then I'd remember my "why"—the vision of building a business that allowed me to be both a present mum & a successful entrepreneur—& that would fuel me to keep going, one small step at a time.

I remember once trying to record a training video for my "Launch Programme" on creating a compelling brand story, with Espresso, our hyperactive miniature pinscher, convinced my office chair was her personal agility course. Every time I hit record, she'd launch into a new acrobatic routine, culminating in a dramatic leap onto my lap just as I was delivering a key point about the importance of authenticity! It was meant to be a serious video about "Flair" - our approach to marketing - but it turned into a blooper reel. It's really funny, because I must have re-recorded that intro a dozen times! Eventually, I realised I had two choices: either wait for the mythical moment of perfect silence (which would never come) or accept the chaos & find my focus within it. I chose the latter. I incorporated Espresso's antics into the intro, making it a relatable, humorous start to the training. The feedback I received was fantastic; many women commented on how much they appreciated the realness & could relate to the juggle. Reflections informed by my ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlight the importance of creating systems that accommodate, not fight against, the realities of family life.

Practical Strategies for the Beautifully Chaotic Life

So, how do we create these pockets of productivity? Here are a few "Juggler's Shortcuts" that have helped me (and countless other women in our community) reclaim our focus & actually get things done:

••Time Blocking with a Twist: We all know about time blocking, right? But for female entrepreneurs, it needs a little adaptation. Schedule your work blocks around your children's routines & factor in buffer time for the inevitable interruptions. For example, instead of a rigid 9-5, I might have a 9-10am block for focused work while the baby naps, then a shorter afternoon block after school pick-up, dedicated to emails and social media.
•• Don't be afraid to involve the kids! My six-year-old loves to "work" alongside me, drawing pictures while I write or "helping" me sort through emails (which mostly involves her pressing random keys on my keyboard, but hey, it keeps her occupied).
•• Try setting up a dedicated "workstation" for them next to yours, with age-appropriate activities. This could be coloring books, puzzles, building blocks – anything that keeps them engaged and allows you to get some focused work done.
••The Power of the Pomodoro: The Pomodoro Technique (25-minute work sprints followed by short breaks) is a lifesaver for fragmented focus. Use a timer app like "Focus To-Do" or even the timer on your phone. Set it for 25 minutes of completely focused work on oneone task. Then, take a 5-minute break. Every four "pomodoros", take a longer 15-20 minute break. Even 15 minutes of dedicated work on a specific task can move the needle. & those short breaks? Perfect for a quick cuddle with the baby, a mini dance party with the toddler, or throwing the ball for Espresso before diving back in.
••Outsource & Automate: Where possible, outsource or automate tasks that drain your time & energy. This could be anything from hiring a virtual assistant for admin tasks (check out platforms like Upwork or Fancy Hands) to using scheduling tools like Calendly or Acuity to streamline appointments. For example, a friend of mine, a successful health coach, outsourced her social media management to a VA, freeing up her time to focus on client work & creating new programs. It was a game-changer for her business & her wellbeing. Consider email marketing automation platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to nurture your leads while you focus on other areas of your business. Remember Cody Sanchez’s wisdom: "Don't build a business you have to run, build a business that pays you." This might mean investing in systems or support initially, but the long-term payoff in time and energy is invaluable. It’s a strategic investment in your freedom and sanity.
••Embrace Imperfection (and Laugh at the Chaos): Things will go wrong. Interruptions will happen. The castor oil will inevitably end up on the carpet (again). Learn to laugh at the chaos & embrace the imperfection. Remember Sue Knight's powerful NLP principle: "There is no failure, only feedback." Every "failed" attempt at focused work is an opportunity to learn & adapt. Perhaps the schedule needs tweaking, the boundaries need reinforcing, or the toddler needs a new, less messy, activity.
••Prioritize Wellbeing (You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup): As Lisa Nichols reminds us, "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows." This isn't selfish; it's essential. Make time for the things that energize you, whether it's a quick yoga session, a walk in nature with Cappuccino (my calmer dog—a rare moment of peace!), or simply five minutes of quiet reflection with a cuppa (while it’s still hot!). It might be helpful to refer to our Business Flourish Framework for a more holistic approach to building a business that energises rather than drains you.

From Surviving to Thriving: It's About Integration, Not Isolation

The entrepreneurial journey, especially as a mum, can sometimes feel like a solo mission. It's easy to get caught up in the daily juggle & lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s why community is so important. Connecting with other women who understand the beautiful chaos is incredibly empowering. It normalizes the struggles, celebrates the wins, & provides invaluable support & encouragement. If you're feeling overwhelmed & isolated, I encourage you to join our free Femme:Connect community. It’s a space where you can connect with like-minded women, share your experiences, ask questions (no such thing as a silly question here!), & get the support you need to thrive. We even have dedicated threads for navigating the school holidays! Femme:Connect Community Page

Your Smallest Viable Step: Reclaim 15 Minutes

Quiet time might be a myth, but focused time is absolutely achievable. Start small. What's one 15-minute block you can carve out today, just for you & your business? Schedule it, protect it, & celebrate the small win. It’s the beginning of a powerful shift from surviving to thriving. For more support & guidance on building a business that truly works for youryour life, explore all our services at Femmeprenista. Work With Us page