productivity for mum entrepreneurs: Tame Chaos & Thrive
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Jan 9
- 11 min read
Making "Mum Time" Mean Business Time: Taming the Beautiful Chaos for Maximum Productivity
Ever feel like you’re trying to build an empire during nap time & conquer the world between CBeebies breaks? Let’s be honest, the life of a female entrepreneur who's also a mum isn't exactly a serene meditation retreat. It's more like a beautiful, slightly chaotic adventure where your to-do list is constantly competing with a toddler demanding snacks and a puppy who thinks your laptop is a chew toy.
And that’s okay. Because I’m right there with you. Honestly, with four kids, a PhD in progress (yes, really!), two miniature pinchers who are the furry embodiment of chaos – I know exactly what it’s like to feel like you’re constantly context-switching between board meetings and potty training. It’s funny, because sometimes I feel like I need a translator just to understand what my toddler is saying! Just the other day, I was on a Google Meet call, desperately trying to explain the intricacies of a sales funnel to a client while my two-year-old babbled away in the background, occasionally interjecting with her own unique brand of "toddler business advice." Let's just say, it wasn't exactly a Harvard Business Review case study in effective communication. Trying to maintain professional composure while simultaneously deciphering "ga-ga goo-goo" into something resembling a coherent business strategy – that's the real juggle, right? You know that feeling?
But here’s the thing: I also know that it IS possible to build a thriving business within those fragmented moments. It's not about finding perfect “balance” (mythical creature alert!) but about maximizing those pockets of focused time with ruthless efficiency. It’s about shifting your mindset from overwhelmed to empowered and strategically leveraging those unconventional “office hours” as your secret weapon. This post is primarily for Foundation Builders and those just starting to scale, navigating the early stages of building a business while managing the beautiful chaos of motherhood. So, let’s ditch the guilt and embrace the real. What's one small step you can take today to reclaim some sanity & make those mini-moments count? Share below - I'm betting there are some hilarious stories waiting to be told.
Reframing the Chaos: From Overwhelm to Opportunity
So, how do you turn the beautiful chaos into a productivity powerhouse? It all starts with a mindset shift. This aligns with the 'Focus' pillar of the Business Flourish Framework, which is all about building a resilient mindset, gaining clarity, and taking ownership of your mental game. Instead of viewing those fragmented moments as a hindrance, start seeing them as opportunities. Yes, the system has its flaws (believe me, I've seen it firsthand, both in corporate & trying to navigate school holidays without extensive local support – who thought 12-13 weeks off was a good idea?). But what if the real power lies not in blaming the system, but in figuring out how you can navigate it? What if those tiny pockets of time, the ones between tantrums and urgent Paw Patrol emergencies, were actually your secret weapon?
I remember a time when my youngest was just a few months old and I was recovering from my fourth C-section, simultaneously trying to juggle client calls, PhD research, and the general mayhem of a house full of kids and pets. Honestly, it felt like I was constantly treading water, never quite catching a breath. One particularly memorable morning, I was trying to finalise a presentation for a new client. My husband had promised to take the kids to the park, which would have given me a precious two hours of focused time. I had my slides open, notes spread out, coffee brewed – the whole shebang. Then, 15 minutes before the call, he announced he had a last-minute meeting. The park trip was off. My vision of peaceful productivity vanished faster than a toddler with a chocolate biscuit. My heart sank. I wanted to cry, scream, and possibly launch my laptop across the room. It was in that moment, amidst the rising tide of overwhelm, that I realised something had to change. It wasn't the system's fault; it was my reliance on it. I had put all my eggs in the external support basket, and it had fallen apart. This led to a complete re-evaluation of how I approached time management, childcare arrangements, and my own sense of self-reliance. It was a painful but incredibly valuable lesson in taking ownership of my schedule and not externalizing responsibility for my success.
The key was to stop focusing on what I couldn’t do and to hone in on what I could do, even if it was just for 15 minutes during nap time or while the older kids were engrossed in their favourite show. Reflections informed by my ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlight this theme of resourcefulness and adapting to constraints. It's a "make it work" mentality, not a victim mentality.
That’s when I began to truly understand the power of taking ownership of my time, however fragmented it might be. It's about claiming your power, building a system that works for YOU, and becoming the CEO of your own schedule.
The Power of Focus: Short Bursts, Big Impact
One of the most transformative strategies I’ve implemented is the Pomodoro Technique. Essentially, you work in focused 25-minute bursts with short breaks in between. This can work wonders, even during those short windows when you know interruptions are a real possibility. I'll often grab a quick 25 minutes while the baby naps to outline a blog post or map out a social media strategy. Knowing I have a limited window actually makes me more focused! It’s funny because it almost feels like I'm trying to beat the clock! The other day, I managed to draft an entire email sequence during one Pomodoro while my six-year-old was building a fort (though I did have to pause briefly to admire the architectural genius of a pillow-and-blanket masterpiece).
Don't underestimate the power of these short bursts. Small, consistent action compounds over time. Remember Ali Abdaal’s advice – consistency over intensity. It's the tortoise, not the hare, who wins the entrepreneurial race, especially when you're juggling a family. Small, focused wins, repeated consistently, are your path to long-term success.
Building Your Productivity Toolkit for the Juggle
Here are some more of my go-to strategies for maximizing those precious pockets of time:
Time Blocking like a Boss: I swear by time blocking! Schedule everything – work tasks, family time, even those essential moments for self-care (yes, even a 10-minute bubble bath counts!). Treat those blocked-off work slots as non-negotiable appointments. For example, last Tuesday, I blocked out 9:30-10:30 AM for "Client Strategy Session Prep." Even though the laundry pile was calling my name & the dogs were performing their synchronized begging routine, I stuck to my schedule. The result? I walked into that client call feeling confident & prepared, ready to deliver my A-game.
Theme Your Days: Assign specific themes to your days (e.g., Mondays for client work, Wednesdays for content creation, Fridays for strategic planning). This creates mental clarity & helps you batch similar tasks together for greater efficiency. This week, for instance, I dedicated Wednesday to content creation. This meant all my energy, from the first coffee to the final "wine o'clock" unwind, was focused on writing, filming, & scheduling content. It’s amazing how much more you can achieve when your brain isn't constantly switching gears between different types of tasks.
Brain Dump & Prioritize: Start each work session with a quick brain dump – list everything you need to do, no matter how small. Then, ruthlessly prioritize the 2-3 most important tasks for that specific time slot. A classic mistake is to create an endless to-do list & then feel overwhelmed by its sheer length. Instead, ask yourself, “What are the 2-3 absolute MUST-DOs for this specific Pomodoro?” Focusing on achievable wins within a defined timeframe is key.
Eliminate Distractions (as much as humanly possible!): I know it can feel like mission impossible with kids & pets demanding your attention, but during those focused work sprints, try to minimize distractions as much as you can. Turn off notifications, put your phone on silent, let the family know you need a few minutes of uninterrupted time. As Rory Sutherland mentions, the uncertainty of a taxi wait time is often more stressful than the wait itself. Applying this principle to the entrepreneurial juggle, how can you reduce the "uncertainty" of distractions during your focused work periods? It might mean setting clear expectations with family members ("Mummy needs 25 minutes of quiet time to finish this task"), creating a designated workspace (even if it's just a corner of the kitchen table), or using noise-cancelling headphones. It’s about creating small pockets of predictability in the midst of the chaos. It might not be silent, but by minimizing interruptions, you enhance both focus & productivity.
Embrace the Power of "No": Learning to say “no” to anything that doesn't directly support your business goals or your wellbeing is essential for creating the space you need. This is about protecting your energy & your time, your most valuable assets.
Delegate or Automate: As you scale, look for areas you can delegate or automate. Smart AI tools can be lifesavers when it comes to things like social media scheduling, email marketing, or even transcribing your notes. (Remember, working smarter, not just harder!). The 'Fusion' element of the Business Flourish Framework is all about strategically integrating these AI-powered solutions to amplify your efforts & free up your precious time.
Turning Limiting Beliefs into Launching Pads
Now, let’s talk about those pesky limiting beliefs that can creep in & sabotage your efforts. We all have them!
One of the biggest hurdles I see female entrepreneurs struggle with is the belief that they should be able to do it all, perfectly. I've definitely been there. I remember, after the birth of my second daughter, feeling completely overwhelmed trying to balance motherhood, my MBA at Cranfield (a seriously intense program!), & the beginnings of my business. I was constantly comparing myself to other mums who seemed to have it all together – the perfectly organized homes, the effortlessly stylish outfits, the thriving careers. I felt like a complete failure. I’d find myself thinking, “Why can’t I do this? Am I just not cut out for this?” These negative thoughts became a vicious cycle, feeding my self-doubt & paralyzing me from taking action. What I didn't realize at the time was that I was operating from what Adrienne Weimer calls a “To Me (Victimhood)” level of consciousness, blaming myself & external circumstances for my struggles. It was only when I actively started challenging those negative thoughts & reframing my identity as a capable, resourceful entrepreneur that things began to shift. This is the essence of what she calls “Identity Alchemy” – transforming yourself into the person who achieves their vision.
So, my advice? Ditch the shoulds! Embrace the perfectly imperfect reality of your life & focus on making progress, not perfection. It's about progress, not perfection!
Challenge those negative thoughts when they pop up (and they will!). Ask yourself, "Is this thought actually true, or is it just fear masquerading as logic?" Often, those negative whispers are just fear wearing a sensible outfit. Dig deeper. What's the real fear underneath? Are you afraid of failing, of succeeding, of being judged? Identifying the root of the fear is the first step to dismantling its power. For instance, if you catch yourself thinking “I’m not experienced enough to charge premium prices,” dig deeper. Is it truly a lack of experience, or is it a fear of being called out or not delivering? Try reframing that belief to "I have valuable skills and knowledge that deserve to be compensated fairly. My unique experience is an asset, not a liability."
Ask yourself: "What would my future, successful self say to me right now?" Would she let fear hold her back, or would she charge forward with confidence? Visualizing your future self, confident & thriving, can be a powerful motivator. This is something I learned from José Silva's work on mind control techniques; it’s about actively shaping your reality through your thoughts and beliefs.
Finally, reframe the situation. Instead of thinking, “I don’t have enough time,” try thinking, “How can I be more resourceful with the time I do have?” This small shift in perspective moves you from victim mode to solution mode, unlocking your creative problem-solving abilities. It's like my dad always told me: "Hard work beats intelligence when it's smart work."
Join a supportive community. Connecting with other female entrepreneurs who understand the unique challenges you face can be incredibly validating & empowering. This is precisely why I created Femme Connect, a safe, supportive space for women entrepreneurs, especially mothers, to connect, share their wins & struggles, & navigate this journey together. We've got masterclasses on everything from time management to mastering tech (no jargon allowed!), accountability partners to keep you on track, & a whole lot of "been there, mama" empathy.
From Scattered to Strategic: Building a System for Success
Building a business within the fragmented moments of motherhood requires a system. My own journey from chaotic "one-eyeliner-on" mornings & constant interruptions to running a thriving business with kids, pets, & a PhD in tow has been a testament to the power of systems.
Here are a few practical "Juggler's Shortcuts" for you to build into your routine:
Batching is Your Best Friend: Dedicate specific blocks of time to similar tasks (e.g., recording all your social media videos in one go, writing several blog posts during a dedicated writing sprint). This week, for instance, I batched all my social media content creation for the next two weeks. It took a dedicated two-hour block (during which my teenage daughter graciously agreed to supervise the younger ones – a rare miracle!), but now I have a whole fortnight's worth of posts ready to go. It’s a huge time-saver & allows me to be more strategic with my content planning.
Utilize Tech Tools: Explore user-friendly project management tools like Trello or Asana to keep your tasks organized & your progress visible. There are also fantastic AI-powered tools available now that can help you automate repetitive tasks & truly maximize your efficiency. What started as a simple Trello board for managing my own tasks has evolved into a sophisticated system for our entire team, integrating various automation & AI tools to streamline everything from client onboarding to content scheduling. It’s been game-changing for our productivity & allows us to work smarter, not harder. It's like Layla Hormozi says, "Your business needs to serve your life, not the other way around."
Outsource Strategically: As you grow, consider outsourcing tasks that drain your energy or that you’re not particularly skilled at (e.g., graphic design, bookkeeping, social media management). This frees up your time to focus on your core strengths & income-generating activities. A few months ago, I finally took the plunge & outsourced our social media graphics. It was a "stretchy" investment initially, but the time & energy it freed up has been invaluable, allowing me to focus on high-impact activities like client strategy & content creation.
Work-Life Integration is an Ongoing Experiment: Finding what works for you & your family will involve trial & error. Be patient with yourself. What worked when your kids were toddlers might need to be adjusted as they get older. The key is to keep experimenting & refining your systems.
Remember, building a thriving business within the "beautiful chaos" is absolutely possible. It's not about magically finding more time; it’s about using the time you have more strategically, effectively, & joyfully. It’s about embracing the unexpected interruptions, celebrating the small wins, & building a system that supports your vision, however unconventional it might be. "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want," as Jim Rohn wisely advises. Even with all these strategies in place, some days the juggle still feels overwhelming. Just last week, I found myself staring at my to-do list, feeling the familiar panic rising, despite having meticulously time-blocked my day. I took a deep breath, reminded myself that progress, not perfection, is the goal (a key "Belief of Excellence" from Sue Knight’s NLP teachings), and prioritized just ONE task. That small act of self-compassion and focused action was enough to break the paralysis and get me back on track.
What’s one small, smart step you can take today to turn your “mum time” into powerful business-building time? Share in the comments below! Let’s navigate this journey together. It can feel lonely in the messy middle, right? So let's connect. Share one win, one struggle, or just a funny anecdote about the juggle in the comments below.
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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