Are you an influencer struggling to balance motherhood with your entrepreneurial lifestyle? Learn how to manage the two in today’s post.
Being a mom is hard enough, but being a working mom can feel impossible. Most women have to sacrifice their careers when they become mothers, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In recent years, there has been a growing movement of women who are bridging motherhood and entrepreneurship. These women are finding creative ways to manage the demands of both family and business. Through flexible work schedules, remote working arrangements, and innovative child-care solutions, they are proving that it is possible to have a successful career and a happy family life. As the number of female entrepreneurs increases, it is crucial that we find ways to make motherhood and entrepreneurship more manageable.
1. Managing being a mom and entrepreneur simultaneously
Being a mom and an entrepreneur can be a lot to manage simultaneously–everything from homework and soccer practice to doctor appointments and grocery shopping. You want to be there for every moment and milestone while being both the mother of your children and the owner of your business–which is another member of the family. It can feel like you’re constantly pulled in different directions, but there are ways to make it work. Bridging motherhood and entrepreneurship starts with what works best for you and your family. With creative thinking and a few tweaks to your schedule, it is possible to successfully manage both.
2. Facing the daily Challenges
As a mother, it’s hard to find the time and energy to pursue your dreams. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. In fact, many women before you have made the transition from stay-at-home mom to successful entrepreneur. Some days, I feel like I’m managing it all and other days, I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water. It’s important to me to be present for my kids and also grow my business. But some days, it feels like I’m pulled in a million different directions. I’m constantly trying to figure out how to manage it all. It’s a daily challenge that I face, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love. When it becomes completely overwhelming, never be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s necessary in order to succeed.
As the mom of a son on the autism spectrum, I learned early on I was his number one advocate. Soon I realized he had to learn to be his own advocate. Facing an empty nest, this same advice I’m giving myself to be my own best advocate. Don’t lose yourself as a person taking on the roles of motherhood and being an entrepreneur.
3. Not neglecting your children when you’re working all the time
View your children as your biggest supporters. Let them be involved in your business as much as possible and use them as a sounding board for new ideas. They are your board of directors. Tap into their creativity. As Disney says, “The only limits are the ones that you are willing to place upon yourself.”
Time management is crucial when you’re trying to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship so have fun with it. Schedules are meant to be flexible. Create a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Using blocks of time for things you want to accomplish reduces rigid time management–yearly blocks, weekly blocks, and daily blocks. The good news is the blocks can be adjusted especially as daily events change.
It is human nature to want more and strive for the best. You can’t work your business 24/7, but if you’re like me it’s on your mind 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. This is how successful entrepreneurs think about business. Acknowledging this and giving yourself permission to be a successful entrepreneur can be done without guilt. You can be yourself without feeling guilty about what others think. Our kids understand more than we give them credit.
4. Making motherhood and entrepreneurship more manageable
Being a mother is no easy feat. It requires immense amounts of effort, dedication, and love. But what happens when you’re also an entrepreneur? How do you manage to balance the two? For many women, bridging motherhood and entrepreneurship can seem like an impossible task. However, it is possible to make it work with planning and organization.
- Set aside time for each role. Make sure you allocate enough time for each role. You will need time to focus on your business as well as time to focus on your children. Again, using blocks of time relieves the pressure of time management.
- Delegate and ask for help. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Ask for help when you need it. Who is your support team? As you plan your day, be sure to give some thought to who you trust and who you can partner with.
- Plan ahead. Having a plan can help you stay organized and on track. Use a journal or calendar to schedule in important appointments and deadlines. This will help you make the most of your time and avoid last-minute stress.
- Take care of yourself. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Make sure you schedule in time for you. This includes hobbies and self-care.
5. Time Management and Productivity Tips
One way to bridge the gap is think outside the traditional workday. Being a mompreneur gives you the flexibility to manage being both a mom and an entrepreneur.
- ‘Make a schedule and stick to it’ is overrated. Making a schedule will help you plan your day and make sure that you have time for everything that you need to do. But give yourself compassion as things change throughout the day. Your schedule is a goal and isn’t written in stone.
- Set priorities. Decide what is most important and focus on that. If self-care is a priority, schedule monthly appointments like you would a doctor’s appointment.
- Take breaks. It’s important to take breaks and time-outs so you don’t get overwhelmed or burned out. Take a few minutes each day to relax and rejuvenate yourself. Knowing a family vacation is on the calendar allows you to work your business more proactively. Just like your kids, your business doesn’t like surprises. Communication is important for your business and your family.
With planning and creative thinking, it is possible to successfully balance being a mom and an entrepreneur. It may feel incredibly difficult to find the time and resources that a business requires when you’re also juggling the demands of motherhood. But it’s not impossible. In fact, there are plenty of women out there who have successfully done it. If you’re feeling inspired and would like to learn more about how other mothers are finding success, I encourage you to join a mastermind group. There, you can share your challenges and get advice from others who have been in your shoes. Plus, mastermind groups offer accountability, which is key in business. The collective wisdom of a group of entrepreneurs could be just what you need to take your business to the next level. A mastermind allows a greater opportunity as individuals build something big that will last forever. You can do this. You are not alone.
Applications to my mastermind are currently being accepted. Click Learn More below.
I had the best of both worlds when my girls were growing up. I had a home based interior decorator business so the girls “worked” along side of me. They would go on appointments for the time they could walk and after we had a storefront they still worked with hubby and me after school They grew up working their way up until they retired at 5 years old to start school. LOL
As a working mom, I enjoyed and found the tips to be helpful!