Mumpreneur Focus and Fuel: Thrive Without Burnout [Guide]
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Jun 7, 2024
- 10 min read
Focus & Fuel: The Mumpreneur's Guide to Sustainable Success (Without the Burnout)
Right, let's be honest. Juggling a business & motherhood? It's like trying to conduct a board meeting while simultaneously refereeing a pillow fight, with a toddler clinging to your leg & a puppy gnawing on your favourite heels – or in my case, like this morning, my brand-new laptop bag, leaving it looking like abstract art. Beautiful chaos? Absolutely. Exhausting? You have no idea.
But here's the thing. We, as female entrepreneurs & mothers, often feel this immense pressure to be everything to everyone, all at once. We’re expected to rock the boardroom, nurture our families, & somehow squeeze in a green juice & a meditation session, all before the school run. It's exhausting just thinking about it! And let's not even talk about the school holidays... 12 to 13 weeks a year?! I mean, where do we find the time to build a business, let alone take a breath?
I get it. I really get it. I'm writing this having just navigated a morning where my youngest decided breakfast was best served on the walls, my eldest had a full-blown meltdown over a lost phone charger (five minutes before the school bus, naturally!), & Espresso, my hyperactive Miniature Pinscher puppy, decided to redecorate my new laptop bag with her teeth – Cappuccino, her mother, just watched with a weary sigh, as if thinking, "Here we go again." And yes, I might have left the house with slightly mismatched shoes. It happens. You know that feeling, right?
But despite the mayhem, despite the never-ending to-do list, & despite feeling like my brain is often running on fumes, I wouldn't trade this life for anything. Because amidst the beautiful chaos, there's also this incredible sense of purpose, this burning desire to create something meaningful, to build a legacy, & to show my children what's possible. Honestly, what better motivation is there?
So how do we do it? How do we build thriving businesses, nurture our families, & still have a semblance of sanity (and maybe even a full night's sleep… eventually!)? The answer, my friend, isn't about adding more to your already overflowing plate. It's about cultivating a "Focus & Fuel" mindset. At Femmeprenista, we believe that building a flourishing online business shouldn’t come at the cost of your wellbeing or family life. That’s why we’ve developed the Business Flourish Framework, a holistic approach with four key pillars: Focus (Mindset), Flair (Marketing), Flow (Systems), & Fuel (Wellbeing). Fusion, the fifth pillar, representing strategic AI integration, is interwoven throughout these, helping you work smarter, not harder. This framework is designed to help you create a business that truly supports your life, not the other way around.
Sharpening Your Mindset & Focus: Mastering Your Inner Game
Focus isn't just about ticking off tasks. It’s about mastering your inner game – your mindset, your beliefs, your resilience. Because if your internal world is a tangled mess of self-doubt, overwhelm, & limiting beliefs, even the most brilliant business strategy won't get you very far. It's like trying to drive a Ferrari with the handbrake on. This really speaks to our core value of Action within the Focus pillar of the Business Flourish Framework. Coaching helps you identify those limiting beliefs, build unshakeable confidence, & step into your power as a leader. It creates a space for growth & empowerment. This is what true empowerment looks like – considering your whole life, your energy, & prioritising your well-being to ensure your business energises, not drains, you.
So, where do we start?
Identify Your "Why": Before we even talk about marketing funnels or sales strategies, let's get clear on your purpose. Why are you doing this? What impact do you want to make? What's the bigger vision that fuels your fire, even on those days when you're cleaning spilt milk off the ceiling? This is your anchor, your North Star, your driving force. "People don't buy WHAT you do; they buy WHY you do it," as Simon Sinek so brilliantly put it.
Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs: Let’s be honest, we all have them. Those pesky little voices that whisper, "You're not good enough," "You'll never make it," or "Who are you to charge that much?" My own journey has been full of these moments. Like that time I poured my heart and soul into a new product launch, only to freeze up and barely promote it because of that old "more success means more work" fear creeping in. It was a tough lesson, but it taught me to confront those sneaky beliefs head-on. Remember, it’s okay to question past choices. I constantly reflect on my own experiences – everything from navigating the challenges of corporate life (where I often felt like just another 'replaceable cog' in a giant machine) to building several businesses while juggling the chaos of motherhood and the demands of my PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship. What I've learned is this: you have to own your progress. If you don't get there, that's your fault. Even if the journey is slower or different because of your current commitments (like having four kids & pursuing a PhD!), the onus is on you to figure out a path. This is all part of your identity alchemy. What is your "I'm a big deal" energy going to be?
This journey into self-belief & personal responsibility can be a deep one. If you’re an early-stage entrepreneur, a Foundation Builder, and find yourself struggling with limiting beliefs, the Spark Program is designed to help you solidify your vision & mindset. It’s like having a supportive friend guiding you through the mental maze.
Build Your Resilience Muscle: The entrepreneurial rollercoaster is real. There will be ups, downs, twists, turns, & moments when you feel like throwing your laptop out the window (or at least hiding it from Espresso – believe me, I know!). But resilience, my friend, is the name of the game. It's about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, & remembering your "why," even when the going gets tough. It’s like learning to ride a bike. You'll fall, you'll wobble, you'll have those moments of frustration when you want to give up, but you keep going. You keep practicing. And eventually, you find your balance.
Fuelling Your Fire: Prioritizing Well-being
Here's the hard truth: self-care isn't a luxury; it's a non-negotiable for sustainable success. If you're running on empty, your business will be too. "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows," as Lisa Nichols so wisely says. I remember one point during my PhD research, while also juggling a newborn and a toddler, where I was so burnt out I could barely string a coherent sentence together, let alone run a business. It was a wake-up call. I had to prioritize my well-being, not just for myself, but for my family and my business. I started small: 15 minutes of yoga in the morning (some days it was more like a frantic 5-minute stretch while the baby cried and the toddler demanded snacks – you know how it is!), a healthy lunch break away from my laptop (which sometimes involved eating said lunch one-handed while simultaneously rocking the baby – multitasking level: expert!), and a dedicated "no work" evening with my family (which occasionally involved sneaking in a few emails on my phone while pretending to be engrossed in Paw Patrol – #mumlife!). It wasn't easy, and it wasn't always perfect, but it was absolutely necessary.
So, how do we fuel our fire & avoid burnout?
Make Time for Movement: I know, I know. Time is your most precious commodity. But even 15 minutes of stretching, a quick walk, or a dance-off with your kids can make a world of difference. A study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that even short bursts of moderate exercise can significantly reduce perceived stress and improve mood. It’s about getting your blood flowing, clearing your head, & reminding yourself you’re a human being, not just a business-building machine.
Juggler's Shortcut: Put on your favourite music & have a spontaneous dance party with your kids. It’s fun, it’s movement, & it’s a great way to connect.
Nourish Your Body: Grab that green juice (if you can actually find the time to make one!), snack on some brain-boosting nuts (like walnuts, which are packed with Omega-3s!), or simply treat yourself to a delicious, healthy meal. Food is fuel, my friend. It's energy for your body & your mind. Eating a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, can improve focus, boost energy levels, and even enhance your creativity. And let's be honest, sometimes a good cuppa & a biscuit are all the self-care you need. Just saying!
Juggler's Shortcut: Prep healthy snacks & meals on the weekend so you’re not tempted to grab processed foods when you’re short on time.
Set Boundaries (and Actually Stick to Them!): This is a big one. As female entrepreneurs & mothers, we often feel guilty saying "no." But boundaries are essential for protecting your time, your energy, & your sanity. This can be as simple as turning off notifications after a certain hour, setting dedicated "family time" in your calendar (and treating it as sacred – no sneaking in work calls during "family movie night," as I’ve been guilty of in the past!), or simply saying "no" to that extra project or commitment you don’t have the bandwidth for. I remember a time when I felt so overwhelmed I literally had to put my two dogs, Cappuccino and Espresso, in their crates all day because I couldn't manage them alongside my toddler, my work, and my PhD. Setting boundaries, though difficult, was the only way I could regain a sense of control.
Juggler's Shortcut: Create a visual reminder of your boundaries, like a sign on your office door or a specific screensaver that reminds you to disconnect.
Find Your Tribe: Connection is crucial. Whether it's joining our Femme:Connect community for support & inspiration from incredible women, catching up with a friend, or having a good heart-to-heart with your partner, finding your tribe will remind you that you're not alone. We offer masterclasses on client attraction that fit busy schedules, accountability partners to keep you motivated, templates to save precious time, & accessible tech guidance without the jargon. Need help navigating the school holidays while running your business? Our community’s got you covered. I hear from women all the time struggling with overwhelm & feeling isolated. It's like climbing a mountain by yourself, constantly battling doubt and exhaustion. But when you find other climbers who get it, who offer support & encouragement, & who celebrate small wins, it makes the journey much more enjoyable & achievable. What’s one tip you've learned for staying connected while running a business? Share below!
Create Systems that Work for You: This means implementing efficient systems, leveraging AI tools to streamline your processes (that's where Fusion comes in!), delegating or ditching what’s not serving you. A strong system is like having a reliable co-pilot, helping you navigate business & motherhood with greater ease & efficiency. Our Momentum Coaching excels at this. We help you build smart systems, integrate AI to automate those tedious tasks, & create more time & energy for what truly matters. Hard work is important, but smart work is even better. And no one wants to spend their precious time manually sending invoices or scheduling social media posts when a clever little AI bot can do it for them!
The Power of Fusion: Integrating It All
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "This all sounds great, Carlene, but where do I even begin? I’m already drowning in to-do lists & mum guilt. I don't have time for self-care, let alone building complex systems or mastering my mindset!"
And you know what? I hear you. I've been there. I remember a time, shortly after my fourth C-section, when the thought of even getting dressed felt overwhelming, let alone trying to build a business and work on my PhD. It felt like I was constantly treading water, just trying to keep my head above the surface. But the beauty of the Business Flourish Framework is that it's not about adding more to your plate; it’s about integrating everything – your focus, your flair, your flow, & your fuel – into a powerful whole. Fusion, the fifth pillar, brings it all together with smart AI integration. We use AI to automate things like social media scheduling, email marketing, client onboarding, and even blog post generation. For example, within the Flow pillar, we show you how to integrate a CRM like HubSpot to track your client journey and create automated email sequences that nurture them towards your offers. For Flair, AI can help you analyze competitor data to define your unique brand positioning and suggest headline variations for optimized reach. These are just a few examples of working smarter, not harder. Want to learn more about the power of our integrated approach? Check out our Business Flourish Framework page. It's like baking a cake (often easier said than done with little ones running around!), where you need the right ingredients, proportions, & timing. The same is true for a thriving business & motherhood.
So, what are three small, actionable steps you can take right now to integrate focus & fuel into your entrepreneurial journey?
Schedule a 15-minute "focus block" each day (by tomorrow!): This is dedicated time for mindset work – visualizing your goals, affirming your capabilities, or simply taking a few deep breaths. This one was incredibly difficult for me initially. With four kids, a PhD, and a business, finding 15 minutes of quiet felt impossible. But I started by setting an alarm on my phone and using those precious minutes while the baby napped or the older kids were at school. It’s like a mini-recharge for your entrepreneurial battery.
Identify one task to automate (this week!): What’s one tedious, time-consuming task you can hand over to an AI tool? Maybe it’s scheduling social media posts, transcribing meeting notes, or even generating content ideas. Even now, as a seasoned business owner and someone researching AI for my PhD, I still find myself occasionally falling into the trap of doing things manually. Recently, I realized I was spending hours each week creating social media graphics, when a tool like Canva could have automated most of the process. This was a real "face-palm" moment!
Set a clear boundary (today!): What’s one boundary you can implement today to protect your time and energy? Maybe it’s turning off notifications after dinner (something I struggled with for ages!), dedicating one weekend day to family time (which sometimes requires saying "no" to work events or social gatherings – but it’s worth it!), or saying "no" to that extra commitment. Setting boundaries was one of the hardest things for me initially, especially with family. It felt selfish to prioritize my own needs. But as I learned, setting boundaries is actually an act of self-love and essential for being able to give my best to both my family and my business.
What’s your smallest viable step? What’s one tiny thing you can do today to sharpen your focus or fuel your fire? Whatever it is, commit to it. Write it down. Tell a friend. Because even the smallest steps, taken consistently, can create massive momentum. Ready to take your business to the next level? Join our Launch Programme to build a solid foundation and launch with confidence!
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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