I don’t know about you, but I started my online business to have the freedom to be present for my family. However, after years of a corporate hustle mentality, I returned to the unbalance of always working. I had to challenge my mindset and find ways to prioritize the day-to-day with my family while still growing my business. To do this, I had to create a routine and set my own personal boundaries that allowed me to embrace a more realistic work-life balance.

How Are You Out of Balance?

I’m curious: how do you feel out of balance? Because here is the thing: I’ve worked with my fair share of Mama entrepreneurs starting out; they tend to fall into one of two buckets on the work-life balance scale. 

Are you out of balance because you’re consumed with your business? I’m guessing you already know the bucket that I fell into when I began my business. 

I found myself creeping into my office at any free moment. This was for two reasons: I was excited about my business and still believed that I must hustle harder to be successful. My work-life balance was way out of whack. Are you in the hustle harder bucket?

Perhaps it is the other bucket, Mama your seated on the struggle bus. You still have the same love and passion for your business, but you struggle with time management and keeping yourself accountable when there is no set workday.

Now that we know the two buckets, here are ideas for setting yourself up for success as you pivot into being a work-from-home entrepreneur.

Hustle Harder Entrepreneurs

Let’s look at the conscious changes to not fall into the trap of hustling harder.

Now, this is important: what is your why? Why do you want to be present for your family and be an entrepreneur? I’m guessing that you have lofty business goals, and nothing is standing in your way. I get it; define why you desire to be a work-from-home business owner. Even though you think your why is your big goal, I think you’ll agree when I say it will be freedom to be present for your family.

Another critical point is to sit down and map out your dream week. Using your why and business goals, map out the perfect dream week. Plan this out from when you wake up to when you go to bed. What will you be doing when you are working, and what will you be doing when you’re with your family? Remember, as a work-from-home entrepreneur, you have the freedom to be present for your family throughout the day.

Here is a link to my blog post on Dream Week. https://misstask.com/need-clarity-in-your-online-business/

Setting Boundaries With Your Family

Additionally, another challenge will be setting boundaries with your family. This is new to them; they will also need to shift their thinking about having you at home all the time.

How do I know? This scenario is a common one that I’ve worked through with more than one coaching client when they are struggling with work-life balance.

You see when transitioning from a traditional 9-5 to a work-from-home entrepreneur, it is essential to take the time to set boundaries with your family. As I mentioned, this is new for them, too. 

Step back and look at it from their point of view. When Mom was home in the past, she wasn’t figuring out the balance between running a business and taking care of her family. Her focus was purely on caring for her home and family.

All of a sudden, that’s no longer the case. Aside from setting your own boundaries, it will also mean talking to your family about the fact that you're not at home when you're in the office. Trust me, you will not have a successful work-from-home business if you say yes to dropping your work to running errands for your family.

Given these points, ensure you’re honoring your commitments to your growing business and your family.

Work-Life Balance As An Entrepreneur

Finding a work-life balance is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain productivity. Here are some strategies I've found effective and recommend to my clients:

Establish Routines

1. Create a morning routine for yourself: Start your day with a purposeful morning routine that sets the tone for productivity and positivity. This may include activities like exercise, meditation, journaling, or reviewing your goals for the day. The trick is to find what works for you. Experiment to find a routine that energizes and focuses you for the day ahead.

2. Develop a morning routine for your children: Establish a consistent morning routine to help them start the day on the right foot. This may involve age-appropriate tasks like making their bed, brushing their teeth, or helping with breakfast preparation. A structured routine will help calm the chaos and stress in the morning.

3. Implement an “end of the office” routine: Wind down your day with an end-of-the-business-day routine that helps you transition from work mode to relaxation. This may include reviewing accomplishments, planning the next day, reading, or engaging in a calming hobby. An evening routine will help you mentally disconnect from work and allow you to focus on your family. 

4. Utilize the Pomodoro Technique: This time management method involves working in 25-minute focused intervals, followed by a 5-minute break. Using this method is a beautiful way to tackle your home to-do list. During these breaks, take on folding laundry, tidying up, or cleaning the kitchen. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done in 5 minutes. Honestly, this approach allows you to feel the freedom of running a business and family. It’s the best of both worlds: focus on your business while accomplishing household responsibilities. It feels so magical to get so much done. One quick note on this the standard 25-minute interval may not work for you. Experiment with longer focused intervals if you feel like you just hit your groove when the timer goes off. Utilize an app like Flow for Mac to keep you on track.

5. Set yourself up for success the night before: What are your morning pain points? What repeat patterns show up day after day, causing unnecessary stress? Do you battle with what to wear for yourself or your kids? By planning your outfits the night before, you can avoid decision fatigue in the morning. As a result, you'll give your children the chance to choose outfits themselves. Now, it is important to prepare the kitchen for breakfast by setting out bowls and spoons and possibly a batch of overnight oats for a healthy start to everyone's day. 

6. Teach your children the importance of organization: Do you find it difficult to get them out the door on time? If so, ensure your evening routine includes everything to get your kids out the door. I’ve set an example for my kids from a young age: put your stuff away so that you do not need to look for it, especially in the morning.

Yes, I know this may sound harsh to a few of you, but it was a rare occasion for me to help them find a missing item. If the item were not found by the time we had to leave, they would go without it. I won’t lie; it destroyed me inside to listen to them cry on the way to school. I’d reassure them it would be okay, and once we returned home, I’d help them with the hunt first thing when we walked in the door. By gathering everything the evening before, our stress-free morning was the norm. 

Look for routines to set up to make your life go smoother. You can create new habits and routines as you transition from working outside the home to owning a work-from-home business.

Prioritize Self-Care

1. Schedule time for yourself: As a busy business owner, it's essential to prioritize self-care. Block out time in your calendar for activities that recharge you, such as exercise, meditation, or pursuing a hobby. Treating this time as non-negotiable will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

2. Set boundaries: Communicate your work hours and expectations clearly to your family and clients. Establish designated work times and create a dedicated workspace to help you mentally separate work and family life.

3. Practice mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine to reduce stress and improve focus. This can include gratitude journaling, short meditation or deep breathing exercises such as box breathing (inhale for a four count, hold for four count, exhale for four count and hold again for a four count, repeat).

Embrace Flexibility

1. Be open to adjusting your routine: As a work-from-home entrepreneur, your schedule may need to adjust to your family's needs. Be willing to experiment with different routines and find what works best for you and your household.

2. Leverage your content creation skills: As a content creator, you have the ability to work ahead and batch your content. Take advantage of productive periods to create content in advance, giving you more flexibility when unexpected family needs arise.

3. Outsource when necessary: Don't hesitate to seek help when you need it. Consider outsourcing tasks like cleaning, meal preparation, or even certain aspects of your business to free up more time for family and self-care. Don’t forget those tasks can be outsourced to your children. Recently, I had a conversation about how laundry was outsourced to my children when my oldest was ten. The benefit followed them to college as they were the college  freshmen who taught roommates how to do laundry for themselves.

It’s Time To Wrap This Up

I’ve been in your exact same shoes, I understand the unique challenges that come with being a work-from-home entrepreneur, content creator, and Mom. Balancing your business, content creation, and family life can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies and support, you can achieve your goals and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

If you're ready to take your business to the next level while creating more time for the things that matter most, I invite you to work with me. Together, we'll develop personalized routines, implement effective time management techniques, and create a roadmap for your success. You'll learn how to repurpose your content effectively, streamline your processes, and build a thriving business that allows you to be present for your family.

Don't let the challenges of being an entrepreneur hold you back from reaching your full potential. Apply to work with me today, and let's start building the life and business you've always dreamed of. With my guidance and support, you'll gain the clarity, confidence, and tools you need to excel as a health and wellness coach, content creator, and mom. Take the first step towards a more balanced, fulfilling life – I'm here to help you every step of the way.

Do you feel like your business is going in the direction you envisioned it would? If not, why? What are you doing differently? Take a step back and figure out what is off. It may sound crazy, but creating a vision for your dream week can lead to clarity in your online business. 

Goal Setting for Clarity

Reaching your goals can be a struggle without clarity. Clarity in your online business provides motivation and excitement for the road ahead. You see, I’ve gone down many roads that I thought I “should” go down, going after goals that I thought would bring me joy and success. In the end, they were the dreams and visions of someone else, not my own. 

And now, your thinking how do you figure it out?

Journal On How You Feel At The End Of Each Day

So much can be said about journaling. I think that’s why so many business owners talk about it. It’s not any different for me. When I started my business, I journaled every morning. It’s really what led me to start my business.

As my business and workload grew, journaling took a backseat to client work and the day-to-day running of my business. 

I've tried everything when it comes to becoming a consistent journaler. Do you want to know what is the best way to journal? 

Well, that’s for you to decide. I had to figure it out myself, and you must do the same. It boils down to this: There is no right or wrong. 

You must, I repeat, you must journal how you want! If you attempt to journal how other journals, it’s like sticking a square peg in a round hole, just saying it won’t work. If you start out strong and drop off, do it differently. If your journaling includes doodle, let it be. The need for multiple pen colors, let it be, you’ll only journal electronically, you do you. 

The best way to journal is the way YOU will journal.

What is your dream week as a business owner?

I know what you’re thinking: how can creating a dream week lead to clarity in your online business? It’s funny how many entrepreneurs struggle to find their niche. Me included.

We can get all up in our heads about the right or wrong way to do something when there is no right or wrong. It is about picking a nice, big path and just starting. The more you do you’ll begin to watch your path narrow as you go.

It is about having confidence in yourself, about believing that no matter the path you choose, it will be the right path for you.

The most common reason I hear mom entrepreneurs start a business is the same reason I did: to have freedom and flexibility for their families.

If you spend your time trying to keep a ridge schedule, will that feel like freedom and flexibility to you?

You see, this is why creating your dream week can lead to clarity in your online business. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince. 🙂

Stay with me now. If you started your business for freedom and flexibility, what you offer to make money in your business must align with that value. If it does not, you’ll not make it. You’ll constantly be searching for something else. That something that will make you feel in alignment with your vision and why.

In Your Perfect World

– What does your dream week look like
– Are you offering the paid service that brings you joy
– Are you working in the right niche
– Do you need to narrow your focus
– Does this feel true to you
– Remember, there is no right or wrong. You can pivot at any time

How does that work in your current business

After you lay out your dream week, how does this work in your current business? Are you close to your dream week? If not, what needs to shift to become more aligned with your business vision?

Creating Your Dream Week

To create your dream week, start by asking yourself some key questions:

What activities bring you the most joy and fulfillment?
How much time do you want to dedicate to client work, marketing, and personal development?
What does your ideal work environment look like?
How can you structure your day to maximize productivity while prioritizing self-care?
Once you have a clear picture of your dream week, it's time to take action. Break down your vision into smaller, manageable steps. Set realistic goals and create a plan to achieve them. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who believe in your vision and can offer guidance and encouragement.

Remember, creating your dream week is an ongoing process. As you grow and evolve, so will your vision. Embrace the journey and be open to new opportunities and experiences.

Time To Wrap This Up

Creating a dream week for your online business is a powerful exercise in clarity and alignment. By envisioning your ideal week and taking steps to make it a reality, you'll find greater joy, purpose, and success in your entrepreneurial journey.

If you're feeling stuck or unsure about the direction of your online business, I invite you to work with me.  I love helping entrepreneurs, just like you gain clarity, overcome your obstacles and create a business that truly lights you up.

Here is a link to a simple application, to take the steps towards working towards your dream business friends. Remember you and you alone how'd the power to create a business in life that aligns with your deepest values and desires. Trust the process stay true to you and watch your dreams unfold.

Thank you so much for reading I appreciate you and I hope you have a wonderful week.

It is all too common for online entrepreneurs to suffer from creative burnout. In my experience, this was another reason for my inconsistency with long-form content. Motivating yourself can be difficult when you lack inspiration. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent burnout when it comes to your creative output.

What are the signs of creative burnout? Here are 5 tips for dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated during periods of low energy and lackluster creativity.

Recognize the Signs of Creative Burnout

You likely have a pretty good idea of what creative burnout feels like for you. Here are a few common signs to watch out for:

* Overwhelming exhaustion

* Lack of motivation

* Difficulty focusing

* Procrastination and missed deadlines

* Irritability and reduced creativity

* Low energy

If these symptoms sound familiar, it's time to take a step back and evaluate your workload and stress management strategies. Look at it through the lens of the four D's: Do, Defer, Delegate, Delete. While tracking your time may sound daunting, it is necessary to get a scope on where you're spending your time.

Consider if there are any tasks that you could delegate or outsource. Once I let go of the fear of having to support another person with my business, outsourcing to a Content VA increased my revenue. 

For more information on what to prepare before hiring a content assistant, refer to my earlier post: What to Prepare Before Hiring a Content Assistant

1. Taking Breaks and Recharging:

It's funny how when our to-do list is endless, taking a break doesn't sound like the thing to do. But here's the thing: regular breaks throughout the day are essential for maintaining your energy levels and preventing burnout.

You may not love the Pomodoro Method; however, it is helpful to remind yourself to take a break. One thing that I've discovered for myself is that the 25-minute sprint is a little short for me. The 25-minute mark is when I'm just hitting my groove.

If you've tried this method in the past and it hasn't worked for you, play with different timings.

Take a break each day to reenergize and reconnect with what matters most. You'll feel rejuvenated when you take a break from work to refresh and renew yourself with activities such as a quick walk, loading the dishwasher, or listening to music during a ten-minute clean. Try a guided meditation if you're feeling lazy and need a complete recharge. When I'm feeling like the life has been sucked out of me, I'll grab my earbuds and hit the sofa with a Yoga Nidra practice.

Make sure you are getting enough restful sleep as well; this will help ensure that you have the energy necessary to tackle any project enthusiastically.

2. Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Tasks:

What most people don't realize is how long tasks actually take. Because of this, they feel daunting. Begin to set boundaries around how much work you take on is important when it comes to avoiding burnout. If you struggle with saying no, be sure to read my post on Overcoming the “Yes to Everything” Mindset. 

​If you would like to listen to this episode on Overcoming the “Yes to Everything” Mindset, it is episode 66.

Focus on one task at a time. New studies have shown that we really aren't great at multitasking. If you focus on one task, it will take you less time. Are you terrible at prioritizing what to work on next?

Begin with the deadline and put the tasks in order in that manner. I'm not sure about you, but I have to lay out my plan for what I'll be working on during the week before it begins. Otherwise, I'll get a hair-brained idea, and before I know it, I'm six hours in and wondering what the heck I did.

Stop chasing shiny objects by planning ahead. Prioritize tasks according to importance so that the most pressing matters are tackled first.

Once you have prioritized tasks according to importance based on deadlines, you'll understand the urgent matters before moving on to less pressing ones.

Choose icons or emojis and add them to the front of the tasks that are priorities. While I know in a project management software you can add a priority, if you're easily distracted, having those call out right in the task works the best. The same thing can be done in your paper planner as well. Be sure that you create a little “key” until you have formed the habit. You'll love this system.

By implementing simple strategies for dealing with creative burnout, you can help yourself stay motivated and productive.

 4. Managing Stress Levels to Avoid Burnout

Dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated is a real issue affecting many entrepreneurs, especially those working in the online business and health and wellness coaching fields. It's funny how we can encourage others to recognize and manage stress levels effectively, but it is something we quickly overlook for ourselves. The best way to avoid burnout is to establish healthy routines, say no to additional tasks, and take regular breaks.

Forming beneficial routines can be a great way of dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated. Establishing a balanced lifestyle that includes regular meal times away from your desk, sufficient sleep each night, and consistent exercise while avoiding overdoing it can help prevent burnout. Additionally, setting up a daily routine or time blocks with specific tasks at certain times can help keep your workflow organized and prevent overwhelm from taking over your life, ultimately helping you in dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

5. Learning To Say No & Set Limits On Workload:

As an entrepreneur, it's easy to get caught up in trying to please everyone around you by saying yes too often; however, this could lead to overextending yourself, which could result in burnout down the line. While we hit on setting boundaries earlier, it's important enough to circle back on when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Learning when it's appropriate (and necessary) to say “no” is key here. Setting boundaries on how much work you take on each week is also important – make sure not only that your workload isn't too heavy but also that there's still room left for being present with your family and a little downtime.

Always prioritize looking after yourself above anything else. Make sure you're carving out time during the day just for yourself where you don't have any obligations or expectations – whether it be going for a walk outside or reading a book – whatever helps bring peace into your life should be done without hesitation. This will help ensure that both your mental health and productivity remain high even when faced with challenging tasks ahead, ultimately helping you in dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Managing stress levels is essential for avoiding burnout and should be taken seriously. By understanding your triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and creating support networks, you can prevent future burnouts and stay on track when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Building Resilience to Prevent Future Burnouts

The effects of burnout can be crippling to your business. You see, taking a year off from creating organic content in my business was a huge setback for me. But I understand now that things happen for you, not to you. This happened for me so that I could truly embrace creating content and fall in love with it.

With that said, if you even think you're on the road to burnout, take a step back and figure out what is the root cause. This is crucial when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

The key to avoiding future burnouts is to build self-resilience. Understanding your boundaries is essential for avoiding burnout.

It is important to identify what causes you stress and learn how to deal with it in order to avoid burnout in the future. For example, if deadlines cause you undue stress, consider breaking up tasks into smaller chunks or creating a timeline that allows for more flexibility when completing projects.

The ability to cope with stressful situations is also crucial to building resilience against burnout in the future. This could include taking breaks throughout the day or engaging in calming activities such as meditation or yoga. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious eating, adequate rest, and regular physical activity in order to feel energized and ready to tackle challenging duties without feeling overwhelmed. These strategies can be highly effective when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Managing stress and overcoming challenges may be easier with the support of a business bestie who gets the online business world. Having someone there who understands your struggles and is willing to listen can make all the difference when dealing with challenging situations. By building strong relationships with people with similar lifestyles, you can express yourself without fear of judgment and get emotional support during difficult times, which can help you avoid burnout in the future and stay on track when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

​It’s Time To Wrap This Up

Realizing the signs of exhaustion and taking measures to prevent it are essential when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated. By implementing some simple tips such as identifying triggers, managing stress levels, building resilience, and setting achievable goals, you can ensure that your creativity remains intact in times of difficulty. Taking proactive measures will help you stay focused on achieving success while avoiding unnecessary fatigue or frustration.

Take control of your creative burnout and stay motivated by downloading your free copy of our organic content creation workflow. We all know that creating a workflow may be daunting but necessary to help you create quality, engaging content that keeps your audience engaged, ultimately helping you in dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated!

Thank you so much for reading, I appreciate you and I hope you make it a wonderful week.