Fueling Wellbeing for Entrepreneurs: Thrive, Not Just Survive
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Mar 21
- 7 min read
Beyond the Burnout: Why Fuelling Yourself Isn't a Luxury, It's Your Greatest Business Strategy
Let’s be brutally honest for a moment, shall we? As ambitious female entrepreneurs, especially if you’re juggling motherhood, the idea of “fuelling yourself” can sometimes feel like just another item on an already overflowing to-do list. We hear about self-care, we see the Instagram posts, but in the whirlwind of client demands, strategic planning, school runs, & trying to remember what day it is, who really has the time?
I get it. Oh, believe me, I truly do. If you peeked into my life – navigating Femmeprenista, pursuing a PhD, & raising four incredible children – you’d see the beautiful chaos in all its glory. Link to: About Carlene Nisbett / Our Story It’s a dance of deadlines & nappies, of strategic insights & deciphering toddler-speak, of ambition & yes, sometimes, utter exhaustion. Honestly, I feel like I’m always trying to figure out how to best juggle my life. For years, the prevailing narrative in entrepreneurship, particularly for women, has been one of relentless hustle. Grind now, rest later. Sacrifice everything for the business. But I’m here to tell you, with every fibre of my being, that this approach isn’t just unsustainable; it’s a flawed strategy. In fact, studies show that entrepreneurs who neglect their well-being are significantly more prone to burnout, hindering their productivity & overall success.
Prioritising your personal wellbeing – what we at Femmeprenista call your ‘Fuel’ – isn’t a fluffy add-on or a luxury you can afford after you’ve hit that next income goal. It’s the bedrock. It’s the non-negotiable strategic imperative that underpins not just your ability to endure, but your capacity to truly thrive, innovate, & lead with impact. This especially rings true for Scaling Leaders – women with established businesses actively looking to grow!
The Endurance Myth: Why Running on Empty Will Stall Your Dreams
We’ve been sold a bit of a myth, haven’t we? The idea that true entrepreneurial grit means pushing yourself to the absolute limit, surviving on fumes, & wearing burnout like a badge of honour. But let me ask you this: how creative can you be when your brain feels like scrambled eggs? How much genuine connection can you foster when you’re snapping at your loved ones (or your laptop)? How clearly can you see the path ahead when you’re utterly depleted?
True entrepreneurial endurance, the kind that builds legacies & creates lasting impact, isn't built on depletion. It's built on consciously, strategically, & unapologetically replenishing your energy. It’s about understanding that your wellbeing is the very engine that drives your vision forward. Without it, your business – & more importantly, you – will eventually sputter & stall.
This isn't just theory; it's a lesson I've learned (and am continually learning!) through the beautiful, messy reality of my own life. There was a time I completely forgot to pick my daughter up from school because I was so burned out & could barely think straight! It was a wake-up call, & that is why I now… Juggling a global business, the intellectual demands of a PhD, & the joyful, intense reality of being a mum to four means that if I don’t intentionally manage my energy, everything suffers. It’s a truth that many of us in the Femmeprenista community live every single day. Our holistic approach to supporting female entrepreneurs is built on this understanding – that you can’t separate the business from the woman running it. Link to: Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support: Find Your Purpose
Micro-Strategies from My "Beautiful Chaos": Making Wellbeing Work in Real Life
So, how do we move from knowing this to actually doing it, especially when life feels like a constant sprint? For me, it’s less about grand gestures & more about integrating tiny, intentional practices – micro-strategies – into the fabric of my demanding days.
And sometimes, the best lessons come from the unlikeliest of teachers. Take my two furry, four-legged colleagues, Cappuccino & Espresso. Cappuccino, the older & wiser Miniature Pinscher, has this incredible ability to just stop. She’ll find a sunbeam, curl up, & completely switch off. Espresso, her whirlwind daughter, is a constant reminder of the importance of play & joyful bursts of energy. It’s really funny, because she sometimes is quite literally bouncing off the walls! But even she, after a bout of bouncing off the walls (quite literally sometimes!), will crash & recharge. They don’t overthink it; they instinctively know when they need to pause & refuel. As entrepreneurs, sometimes we need to remember this lesson. We need to make sure to make time for joy. After all, how can we be expected to bring the energy & enthusiasm to our work that allows us to continue growing our business if we are not taking breaks?
What can we learn from them?
•The Power of the Pause: Even a five-minute break, truly disconnected from work, can make a difference. Step away from your desk, make a cuppa, stretch, or just stare out of the window. It’s not about the length of time, but the quality of the disengagement.
•Scheduled Stillness: Just like client meetings, block out non-negotiable time for yourself in your calendar. It might be 15 minutes for a walk, 10 minutes of meditation, or even just time to sit in silence. Protect it fiercely.
•Embrace Imperfect Action: My self-care doesn’t always look like a spa day (though wouldn’t that be nice!). Sometimes it’s simply saying "no" to an extra commitment, ensuring I get at least seven hours of decent night's sleep (even if it means the laundry pile grows a bit taller), or having a proper, nourishing meal instead of grabbing something on the go.
•Fuel Your Mind & Soul: For me, my PhD, while demanding, is also a source of intellectual nourishment. What truly lights you up outside of your business? Reading, learning a new skill, spending time in nature? Make space for it. It’s not a distraction; it’s an investment.
These aren't revolutionary ideas, I know. But the revolution lies in consistently applying them, in giving yourself permission to prioritise your own wellbeing as a critical business function. If you're finding it difficult to truly carve out the time & fuel your mind, click here to see how Momentum Coaching can help you build sustainable systems to prevent chronic burnout & grow profitability. This 1:1 coaching program is designed to help Scaling Leaders like you build sustainable systems, which include time for you, with smart AI integrations. This will help you grow profitability sustainably.
Filling Your Cup: An Act of Leadership & Personal Responsibility
The incredible Lisa Nichols often talks about the importance of "filling your own cup so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer." This isn't just a lovely sentiment; it's a profound act of self-leadership & personal responsibility. As entrepreneurs, we are often the primary visionaries, strategists, & driving force behind our businesses. If our cup is empty, what do we truly have to give?
And in a world that often pressures us to present a facade of constant strength, the courage of athletes like Simone Biles, who famously stated, "it's okay not to be okay," is a powerful reminder. Acknowledging our limits, our vulnerabilities, & our need for rest & support isn't a weakness. It's an act of profound strength, honesty, & self-awareness – qualities essential for resilient leadership.
Taking responsibility for your own energy isn't about blaming yourself when you’re tired; it's about empowering yourself to create sustainable practices that prevent chronic depletion. It's about recognising that you are your business's most valuable asset, & treating yourself accordingly.
Fuel: The Unseen Force Amplifying Your Entire Business
At Femmeprenista, our Business Flourish Framework is designed to provide a holistic blueprint for success. This framework combines five interconnected pillars – Focus (mindset), Flair (marketing), Flow (systems), Fuel (wellbeing), & Fusion (AI integration) – to help you build not just a thriving business, but a fulfilling life. You can learn more about the full framework & how these pillars work together Link to: How We Work / Business Flourish Framework.
& while all pillars are crucial, I truly believe that Fuel – your personal wellbeing – is the foundational one that directly impacts & amplifies all the others.
•Sharpened Focus: When you’re well-rested & your mind is clear, your ability to concentrate, make sound decisions, & maintain a resilient mindset skyrockets. You’re less reactive & more strategic. For example, neglecting your fuel could mean that you won't have the focus to find premium clients for your business.
•Ignited Flair: Creativity, innovation, & the ability to authentically connect with your audience – all hallmarks of brilliant marketing & branding – flourish when you’re energised & inspired, not burnt out & stressed. As a result, neglecting your fuel might mean that your audience does not have the chance to be ignited by your brand!
•Streamlined Flow: Implementing efficient systems & embracing smart automation becomes easier when you have the mental bandwidth to think clearly & plan effectively. Burnout breeds chaos; wellbeing fosters order. With burnout, you might not have the energy to implement the robust systems required for your business.
•Enhanced Fusion: Even leveraging powerful tools like AI to streamline your business requires clarity & energy. When you’re fuelled, you can approach technology strategically, making it work for you, rather than feeling overwhelmed by it. Without fuel, you will become overwhelmed when learning about AI!
Think of it this way: your personal energy is the current that powers every single aspect of your business. If the current is weak or intermittent, everything flickers. If it’s strong & consistent, everything shines. As Tony Robbins says, "What got you here, won't get you there." You need to ensure you always prioritize your own wellbeing.
The invitation today, lovely, isn’t to add yet another overwhelming task to your plate. It's to reframe how you see your own wellbeing – not as a reward for hard work, but as the source of your best work. It’s about choosing sustainability over sprints, & conscious replenishment over chronic depletion. Because a fuelled-up Femmeprenista isn't just a happier entrepreneur; she's an unstoppable one.
What’s one small way you can choose to fuel yourself this week? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Remember, this journey isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. If you’re looking for a supportive space to connect with other ambitious female entrepreneurs who get the juggle & are committed to building businesses that truly nourish their lives, I warmly invite you to join our free Link to: Femme:Connect Community. We’re all in this together!
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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