When I started writing my book, I Have Time for You, I was stretched in many ways. I was making time for everyone, except myself. There were a lot of late nights and early mornings. But I made time for the things that were important for my business. I made time for my family and friends–just not myself.
As a female entrepreneur, you are prone to burnout. You have to be constantly “on” and always be hustling. There is no room for error. You must master the art of adaptation while reinventing yourself under every circumstance.
This can be incredibly stressful and even lead to some serious health problems down the road. Every woman who’s ever started her own business has felt the same way at some point. We start to feel like we’re never going to catch a break. But it’s important to remember that we’re not alone in this.
You’re not alone, and there’s always a way to come back from even the darkest of days. Speaking as someone who is almost painfully introverted and dislikes being in the spotlight, when I wrote my book I had no idea other female entrepreneurs were going through tough times. I thought I was alone and I thought I had to figure everything out by myself. As someone who suffers from “the worst case of impostor syndrome in the world,” I was bewildered by it all. Forbes calls depression an epidemic among entrepreneurs and creatives. It’s no surprise:
- Mental health is easily one of the most underrated and overlooked elements of being an entrepreneur. According to a study at UC Berkeley 72% of entrepreneurs suffer from mental health issues. Of the entrepreneurs they studied, 30% had a history of depression, 19% had ADHD, 12% had substance abuse issues, and 11% reported having bipolar disorder.
- In The Hustle’s survey of more than 300 entrepreneurs, 63% of business owners reported that they’ve dealt with or are currently dealing with burnout
- 30% of all entrepreneurs experience depression, according to a study by Dr. Michael Freeman, a clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco.
- 45% of entrepreneurs report being stressed compared to 42% of “other workers.” (Gallup Wellbeing Index) Entrepreneurs are more likely to have “worried a lot” — 34% vs. 30%.
The pressure to meet deadlines and to keep her business running has taken a toll on the female entrepreneur. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but it’s up to us how we use that time. Time is an emotional experience. If you don’t transform your emotional experience of time (tools, apps, etc), no technique, tool or scheduling hack will make any lasting change. Control of time gives you more control of your life. No productivity techniques, no planners, no scheduling tricks, and no apps will ever get you the results you desire.
In my book, I take you into my personal journal how I changed my confidence. It was life-changing, and it was the pivot point in my business as an entrepreneur.
If you’re struggling to find time for the things you love, try these ten tips that might help you out.
- Set aside some time each day/week for yourself
- Delegate tasks to others
- Let go of perfectionism
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Make time for the things you love outside of work
- Take breaks
- Make time for your physical and mental health
- Always duplicate and automate
- Have fun!
- Be patient with yourself
And I’ll add a number 11, if not most importantly, find gratefulness!
There was a time when I didn’t have any boundaries. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to set boundaries in your life so that you can focus on your business goals–your zone of genius. When I was first starting out, I quickly realized that I was spread too thin. I was trying to do everything and be everything to everyone, and it just wasn’t sustainable. It wasn’t until I started setting boundaries that I was able to find the success that I wanted. However, it required a new approach. Creating boundaries was self-love. It was time to sense it in my heart and soul. I Have Time for You was meant for you. If I can train my brain to reject overwhelm, stress, busyness, and overwork, so can you.
If you’re feeling like you’re about to lose everything, don’t give up just yet. Female entrepreneurs are strong and resilient, but even we have our moments of doubt and despair. If you’re facing challenges in your business right now, know that you’re not alone. Upgrade your confidence mindset. Upgrading your mind is literally the missing piece. The power and relief you will feel will allow you to stay on track in your zone of genius.
Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” Make this shift of consciousness. Draw a line in the sand. Start paying attention to your recordings. These negative recordings and self-doubt is confirmed by scientific research and brain science.
- Labeling yourself as “having poor self-control” leads to poor self-control.
- Calling yourself a “chronic procrastinator leads to chronic procrastination.
- Saying you never have enough time gives the feeling and experience of never having enough time.
If you don’t make a change, you will hit a wall. It’s not too late. You still have time to change. Are you living in the non-stop hustle culture? Decide what matters most. Total clarity on what you need to focus on and what you need to let go is crucial. It’s essential to ignore what’s not important. Upgrade your time consciousness. Train your brain to reject overwhelm.
Stack the odds in your favor and give yourself the unfair advantage. It’s possible to replace overwhelm with love, joy, happiness, and abundance–long term. Your mind never shuts off. It’s time to bring peace into your life–and be more productive. These positive changes in your life will keep you from falling off the productivity wagon.
Don’t accept that life won’t get any better. You are becoming the next level incredible prosperous and highest potential version of you–the one who makes an impact, achieves goals, and changes lives. As in my title, I Have Time for You… make time for you.
I leave you with some great advice that was given to me. “Get clarity by stepping away from your business for a longer period of time.” The distance allows you to be more fulfilled. Make time to internalize your ideas in order to get the results you deserve. It sounds scary, but sometimes total detachment is what’s needed in order to come back refreshed and rejuvenated.
Watch my book trailer below for more information about the book and how it can help you live your best life.
I Have Time for You is available at the Amazon link on => lisarcarmichael.com
Hi Lisa, congratulations on your journey and putting it out there in a book for others to find inspiration! I too use the power of affirmations on my self-care journey, and I have been working on that book inside me for the last couple years. Thank you for sharing. Sending lots of love. Jaime
Good for you. That’s exciting. Keep me updated on how your book is going. Feel free to reach out again any time