Okay, so let’s talk about time. Or more specifically, time management tips for women entrepreneurs.
Because, honestly? Running your own thing feels a little like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle through Times Square. On a windy day. With tourists stopping in front of you to take selfies.
That’s not an exaggeration. Well, maybe slightly. But if you’ve ever tried to run a business and still have a life—kids, relationships, laundry that never ends—you know what I’m saying.
The Chaos Phase (aka Me Pretending I Could Do It All)
When I first started my little side hustle-turned-business, I thought time management meant… just working harder. Like, if I pulled more late nights and lived off cold pizza, I’d magically “figure it out.”
Spoiler: I did not figure it out.
One Tuesday, I woke up on my couch at 3 a.m., still in yesterday’s leggings, with my laptop open on my stomach. And I had typed the same sentence into an email five times. Five. Literally copy-paste on a loop. My brain had checked out hours ago.
That’s when I realized—I didn’t have a business problem. I had a time management tips problem.
Step One: Admit You’re Not Wonder Woman (And That’s Okay)
We love pretending we can do everything. Like, yes, I can answer client emails, write invoices, cook dinner, pick up my daughter from dance class, AND maybe also finally wash my hair.
But reality? Something always slips. And usually it’s the stuff for me.
So the first “tip” (if you can call it that) is to just admit: I’m not a superhero. You’re not either. And thank god, because honestly, the cape would get in the way.
Step Two: The Calendar Is Your Bestie
Look, I used to think calendars were boring. Corporate. Beige. But the moment I actually started living by mine, my days stopped feeling like a fire drill.
Here’s what I do:
- Color coding. Clients are blue. Family is red. “Me time” (aka hiding with coffee) is green.
- Time blocking. If I don’t block out two hours for deep work, guess what? It gets eaten alive by emails. Every. Single. Time.
- Buffer zones. I finally realized I need 15 minutes between calls, because otherwise I sound like an out-of-breath auctioneer.
Does it always work? No. But even messy structure beats chaos.
Step Three: The Art of Saying “No” Without Feeling Like a Monster
This one still makes me sweat. But here’s the truth: every yes you give is time you don’t get back.
And sometimes, it’s not just business yeses. It’s friend favors. PTA meetings. That random cousin asking for “just a little help with their resume.”
Now I ask myself: does this move me closer to my goals, or am I doing it to avoid guilt? If it’s the second one, I politely say no. Or I blame my calendar (see Step Two).
Pro tip: “I’d love to, but my schedule’s packed this week” works wonders. People rarely argue with “schedule.”
Step Four: Outsource Before You Explode
Listen. I fought this one for years. I thought outsourcing meant I was lazy. Like if I couldn’t handle every part of my business, then maybe I wasn’t cut out for it.
But then I hired someone to do my bookkeeping. And let me tell you—the joy of not crying over spreadsheets at midnight? Worth every penny.
You don’t have to outsource big. Maybe it’s hiring a VA for five hours a week. Or letting your teenager handle TikTok because, honestly, she’s better at it.
Time is money. But also… time is sanity.
Step Five: The “Two-Minute Rule”
If it takes less than two minutes, do it right away.
This one is stupidly simple, but it stopped me from drowning in tiny tasks. Replying to that text. Paying that bill. Sending that quick email.
Because nothing clogs up your brain like a to-do list full of “little things.”
Step Six: Morning Routines (But Make Them Realistic)
Here’s the part where people usually tell you to wake up at 5 a.m., drink lemon water, do yoga, and journal about your dreams.
Yeah. No.
I’m not a morning person. My “routine” is coffee, making sure my kid has her shoes on, and maybe (if I’m lucky) 10 minutes of quiet before the emails start.
The key isn’t a perfect morning routine. It’s a routine that works for you. Even if it’s ugly. Even if it involves reheated coffee.
Step Seven: Batch Work Like a Grandma Cooking Sunday Sauce
This tip came from my grandmother, believe it or not. She used to spend Sundays making giant pots of sauce, freezing half for later. “If you’re already making a mess, make it worth it,” she said.
So now I “batch work.”
- One afternoon just for writing content.
- One block for calls.
- One “errand day” where I do all the annoying adult stuff.
It feels less like juggling and more like—okay, it’s still juggling, but at least the balls match.
Step Eight: Give Yourself Permission to Rest
I used to feel guilty about resting. Like if I wasn’t grinding, my business would crumble.
But here’s the sneaky thing: rest actually makes you better. I had my best idea for a product line while walking to the subway eating a bagel. Not while hunched over my laptop at 11 p.m.
So yeah. Nap. Take a walk. Watch Love Is Blind without “multi-tasking.” That’s not wasted time—it’s recovery.
Step Nine: Remember Why You Started
Time management isn’t just about spreadsheets and alarms. It’s about remembering why you even started this whole wild ride.
For me, it was freedom. The freedom to go to my kid’s school play without begging a boss. The freedom to work in leggings instead of business casual (may she rest in peace).
When I lose sight of that, I start slipping back into burnout mode. But when I hold onto it? Time feels more like mine again.
The Messy Truth about time management tips
So here’s what I’ll tell you, friend: time management tips for women entrepreneurs aren’t about becoming a perfect machine. They’re about figuring out how to juggle without setting yourself on fire.
Some days will still be a mess. Some weeks you’ll still double-book yourself and cry into your iced coffee. But over time (pun very much intended), you’ll find a rhythm that makes this whole crazy entrepreneur life not just doable—but kinda fun.
And honestly? That’s the real goal.
Suggested Outbound Links:
- The Everygirl – for lifestyle and productivity advice with a relatable vibe.
- Marie Forleo – because her no-nonsense business tips are surprisingly fun to binge.
