
As someone who has asked, and has been asked "How do you do it all?" The answer is almost always "I don't". Even though it seems like someone has it all together, they don't always have everything together at the same time. You probably just saw them in the moment they had that particular task together at that particular time. It's all about balance, which inevitably is not a lifestyle, it's a moment in time.
So here are my 20 Tips for you, who like me, is trying to juggle it all - whether you are a handmade business owner like the wood flower florists I coach, a creative entrepreneur with a full-time corporate job, or side-hustling while raising tiny humans and more. I hope these give you some perspective and motivate you to find the joy in the ever-attempting balance of life and entrepreneurship.
As a side note, I use affiliate links in this blog post to share with you the resources I have personally used and find helpful. I earn a small commission if you use my specific link as a way to support the blog and more content from me here at WFC. So. thank you for doing so!

1. Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency to maximize productivity.
This is obvious right? But hear me out on the HOW. Have you ever heard of the Eisenhower Time Management Matrix? Stephen Covey wrote about it in the book "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and describes an easy way to determine which tasks are the most urgent on your to do list. (Go ahead an goggle "Eisenhower Matrix and check it out!) They have to do with urgency and importance. If you list your tasks regarding urgency and importance in their related quadrant, you can determine which tasks take priority. This has been a very helpful tool for me, I no longer need to write down items, but instead do this in my head.
I have also found that when I need to determine the task to prioritize, I can do my own version of a March Madness bracket. I simply put all of my tasks head-to-head and see which come out first! Give it a try some time when you're overwhelmed, it makes the process a little more fun!
Now all of this is easier said than done, so let's keep going...
2.Set boundaries between work and family time to maintain balance and prevent burnout.
Yet again, "Duh, Andi" - I get it! I have heard it too - but have you ACTUALLY set boundaries!? Do you work on your phone during family time? Do you work on your computer after hours? I am so guilty of doing this - and I actually schedule time on my phone, in my calendar AND set Alexa reminders to go off so I put my stuff away. It's sad that it is needed, makes me feel guilty, but it also helps my own personal brain to be able to shift and allow myself the presence both physically and mentally to be the best version of myself for others.
3. Utilize time-blocking techniques to allocate specific time slots for work and family activities.
This is one of my favorite things to do on Sunday evenings. I like to set out my work week and block off the time I *think it will take me to get done everything on my list. The shocker is that I never get through my list, right!? But it does keep me on task for certain things - and allows me to set boundaries, and priorities as mentioned above. If you're interested in setting out your own time-blocked and idea schedule, be sure to check out my friend and business mentor Monica's Be Your Own Boss Planner - she does a great job in this quarterly planner I have used multiple times. Or you can use the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt that has so many amazing reviews - I've only read his book "Best Year Ever" that aligns with this system - and I plan to use this one next year!
4. Delegate tasks where possible, whether it's hiring help for the business or involving family members in household chores.
Imagine the relief of stress when you ask for help! (Who does that!?)
Can you delegate a task to your significant other? Kids? Can you create new routines where you use grocery pick up instead of spending 1-2 hours at the store? This saves valuable time and starts getting you more time to do things you love, care for yourself, or get more done when you get behind.
5. Practice self-care regularly to recharge and maintain mental and physical well-being.

I CAN NOT STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE ENOUGH.
Reading my Bible daily has actually been the most influential form of self-care that has helped me stack beneficial habits into my day-to-day routine. It was MY time to connect to God, myself and to be free from the technology that consumes my mind. By reading the Bible every day, I started to see that I could habit stack onto this care practice and that I could follow through with what I said I was going to. I now carve out time weekly for a long bath, walking on the treadmill and stretching. It has helped me immensely. And yes, I ask my husband to be with the kids during the "me" time - and he is happy to do it! We also just got a massage and float center in my little town that I hope to use more regularly!
Overall, this helps me personally with time management because it takes me away from the "busy" and gives me perspective while allowing my recharged mind and body to be more productive overall.
As a side note, the "She Reads Truth" CSB Version of the Bible I have been reading is AMAZING and I'm totally devouring the readings. I am almost done with my Bible in a Year reading program - I'm on track to finish in half the time or less! If you're a fellow believer and want to connect about faith in entrepreneurship, let me know in the comments!
6. Embrace imperfection and let go of the pressure to be perfect in both business and motherhood or other roles.

Read that again. Give yourself grace sister. Let go of the pressure to be perfect. I tried to strive for perfection my whole adolescence in hopes of proving I was worthy, enough, and loved. And here I am at 34 years of age continually working on letting that go. It's a process, but it's so worth it.
This year, I missed the memo of a Christmas gift exchange for my daughter's school I also missed the change of the Valentine's Day Party - so both days I had to make a trip to the school in a frantic rush. It was a real "winning" moment if you ask me 🤦♀️
7. Stay organized with calendars, planners, and to-do lists to stay on top of deadlines and appointments.
I now live by my calendar and my Calendly. There is no way I could do what I do without it. Plus, my husband and I share our Google Calendars with one another, we have a giant whiteboard calendar for the whole family, and I integrated a calendar in a year homemade poster that has helped a ton. I'll make a blog about this soon!
8. Communicate openly with your family about your schedule and commitments to ensure everyone is on the same page.
This is not a marriage or partnership blog but sister - YOU HAVE GOT TO OPENLY COMMUNICTE AT ALL TIMES. It has been the only way that my husband and I can function. He is a CEO of a local non-profit organization and with both of our heavy loads, we need to know at all times what we expect from one another and who is getting which kids where and when! We like to use our car time to really plan out the big picture, and then we chat nightly about the next day at a minimum. We have noticed that when we plan for a week or more out, we inevitably get overwhelmed with the number of tasks on our plates - so we try to look at the week ahead on a Sunday - and then every evening we chat openly about the next day. It's a great time to chat about a lot - I love our evenings to connect like this! We share wins, frustrations, hopes, goals, all the things!
9. Be flexible and adaptable when unexpected challenges arise, both in business and family life.
Let's just add business to this list too. We need to pivot always. There is never a plan that actually goes 100% perfectly every time. For me, being adaptable and flexible got a lot easier with #6 on this list as well!
10. Learn to say no to commitments that don't align with your priorities to avoid overextending yourself.

If you say no, you are allowing yourself a deeper yes.
Make sure you are doing what you want and need to be doing before things you feel obligated to do. You would be surprised how many of these tasks fall into the quadrant mentioned in #1 that goes with "not urgent and unimportant" - which is where you need to delete that task.
The more you edit out your "shoulds" and add in the "I get to" opportunities, the more you will make time for them!
11. Automate repetitive tasks where possible, such as scheduling social media posts or setting up automatic bill payments.
Scheduling social media posts, emails and blog posts like this one have helped my business a ton. Our family has always used auto bill payments, but I also make sure my clients can use them whenever possible. By using the CRM Honeybook system, I have been able to automate things like email responses, payments, draft proposals and more. It's been amazing. I highly recommend taking a quick inventory of all of the things you do manually and which you could take a one-time investment to automate.
If you're interested in Honeybook as a Customer Relations Management System, you can use my referral code for 25% off. They also run awesome free trials.
12. Make time for quality bonding with your favorite people by scheduling regular one-on-one time together.
I'm not going to be too proud or perfect to say that I use Alexa timers to schedule family time. We literally have an alarm that goes off that everyone knows is family time. It's the best way to hold me and my husband accountable to get off the clock, share with our kids that it's time to do something as a group and to help us get in those moments we want so desperately. It often turns into game night, movie night, an activity in the basement, outside, going for a walk, ride, adventure etc.
You could easily do this with your favorite people by making a scheduled date night, coffee, lunch or activity ahead of time! Get it on the calendar or it likely won't happy easily.
13. Focus on efficiency rather than perfectionism to make the most of the time you have available.
Done is better than perfect. Started is better than nothing. Not only thigs, but if you focus on efficiency and productivity over being busy - you will multiply your revenue and time available. It's a game changer.
14. Take advantage of down time and quiet moments for focused work sessions.
I mean this mostly for parents who have tiny humans that still take naps. Or small parts of their day when their responsibilities or people they are responsible for have a different thing on their schedule. Kids have gymnastics practice? Bring your device and get something done while they're busy. Kids busy doing chores? You could be doing something you need to do alone - when maybe your chores can wait until they're back to an area where you can keep an eye on them while you do that task. This can also be your time to take advantage of that self-care time you so desperately need. ⬇️
15. Practice mindfulness and present moment awareness to fully engage with both work and family activities.
IF you are like me and can't quite get into the meditative state quickly, it's not necessarily about being mindful in a formal way - but being present in the task at hand. Instead of working on your social media posts during bath time - be present and paly that silly bubble game - or better yet, break out some glow sticks or these awesome Glo Pals bath light up cubes that last a really long time! (I am not ashamed that I have used them for myself! It's better to be fully present than always busy around the people you love most. And yes, I am speaking mostly as a mom here, but you can definitely apply it to any important relationships.
16. Celebrate small victories and milestones in both your business and your personal achievements.
Being busy is inevitable as an entrepreneur. We wear too many hats. Take time to celebrate your winds to recharge, refresh and get motivated for the next leg of the race!
17. Seek support from others in your season of life through networking groups or online communities.
My favorite people are in the groups of peers I have collected as friends, colleagues and supporters. As a wood flower florist, I highly recommend the Wood Flower Florists Community if you are a florist like me! I have found awesome connections through the local SBDC as well as networking events in my area for entrepreneurs. Check your local
18. Establish a supportive network of friends, family, and mentors who understand the challenges of balancing business and other responsibilities.
They say it takes a village to raise a family, but it takes a village to be a productive healthy human as well. Find your people. Make sure to stay away from the people who aren't your people - don't align with your passions, purpose or values. Unfortunately, this can also mean close friends and family, so it can be a process to establish those boundaries that help you along your journey to personal success in life in general but also business and time management specifically.
19. Invest in tools and resources that streamline your workflow and help you manage your time more effectively.
Like Honeybook mentioned above, a CRM system in addition to inventory systems, production systems, management systems and organizational systems will help streamline your workflow and make better use of your time by eliminating transitions, frustrations and common, repetitive tasks. Check out my blog post on the systems that transformed my business here - it's not nearly as long as this one, promise!
20. Remember that you are doing an incredible job, and it's okay to ask for help when needed. You're not alone in this journey!

Seriously - keep the faith friend! No one is perfect - you don't have to do this alone - and you've got what it takes!
No that you have read this huge novel of a blog post - I know you're my kind of person. Tell me in the comments which one of these you have had success with - which you hope to do better with - or what supports you would love to see from me here on the blog. I'd love to be of assistance and hope to hear from you below!
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