When a career-oriented woman becomes a mother, life can turn upside down. You may be adept at handling many employees, but managing just one baby can be more challenging. It can be even more overwhelming if you've become a mother for the first time. As a happy mother and a successful entrepreneur, I understand your struggles. So, I will share some practical advice to balance work and family like a pro. here are all the answers for how to run a business and be a mom.
Tips for Mothers Running Their Own Business
Waiting for her baby's arrival is one of the most special moments in the life of a woman. But when the mischief-maker is born, you will be left exhausted and frustrated. That's because looking after a newborn baby is like a full-time job. But you also have a business to run. So, when it's time to return to work after the maternity leave ends, it's important to regain control over your life.
Here are some tips to juggle time between motherhood and your business responsibilities:
1. Say no to guilt
At some point in their journeys, all moms suffer from guilt. Whenever you are not there for your baby, you may end up hating yourself for being a bad mom. When I started my business, I too went through a phase of self-loathing.
But such negative thoughts are only making you miserable. Moreover, the sacrifices that you are making now will eventually make you and your child stronger, financially stable, and more independent. When the kid grows up, you will be their role model as building a business is not everyone's cup of tea. So, all moms and business owners should bid adieu to guilt.
2. Be clear about your priorities
When you start a business, you have to be highly disciplined. You should have the wisdom to decide when to prioritize what. Creating to-do lists describing the short-term and long-term goals will help you stay focused. It's all about developing time management and organizational skills. When you do these, you will be surprised to see how fast your business prospers.
3. Take breaks
Whether your business is a side hustle or your only source of income - taking occasional breaks is crucial to get rid of burnout. That's because now you have the additional duty of a mother. Even taking a quick nap when your kid is asleep can make a huge difference in your energy levels. Working for long hours also causes a mental blockage at times. So, you should make a schedule and follow your break times dedicatedly.
4. Look after yourself
Between operating a business and catering to the needs of a baby, don't forget about yourself. As you are working so hard, you have to be strong, mentally and physically.
To feel fit and remain energetic, eat nutrient-rich meals and ensure that you meet your body's daily protein requirement. To stay positive and stress-free, you can practice mindfulness, go for a spa, spend time with friends, and do anything that gives you peace. You should also exercise for 30 minutes daily as it will be great for your mental and physical health.
No matter how demanding the baby/ job is - self-care is of extreme importance.
5. Be flexible
Life doesn't always follow a straight path. There are ups and downs in a business. So, some days you may have to devote more time to work because it's your company. Similarly, there can be days when your baby might fall sick, and you may have to stay at home to care for them. You should be prepared to make adjustments in such situations.
A good thing about doing business is that having flexible work hours is easy when you're your own boss. You simply have to make sure that your baby or company does not suffer in your absence.
6. Delegate tasks
Thinking you can do it all is sheer madness. Now you are not alone anymore and your responsibilities at home have doubled. Hiring domestic help is mandatory or else you'll always be exhausted. You and your spouse can take turns to look after the baby. At-home childcare services are also available for working moms and mompreneurs.
When you let other people perform these n number of tasks, you won't be drained all the time. Then you will be free to think about new business ideas and spend quality time with your daughter.
7. Read motivational quotes
Feeling low occasionally is not uncommon and this does not mean you are weak. To stay motivated, you can begin your day by reading some optimistic and funny motivational quotes for mom entrepreneurs. Most of these quotes are by women who know exactly what you are going through. So, reading such quotes will make you realize that you are not one.
Here are some positive affirmations that might cheer you up and make you feel immense pride as your business is making the world a better place and motivate you to answer this question how do you run a business and be a mom
- There’s no such thing as overnight success – we’ve got to focus on brick-by-brick mentality.”
- . “Whatever you do, be different – that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.”
- "I won’t just have a job; I’ll have a calling. I’ll challenge myself every day. When I get knocked down, I’ll get back up. I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I’ll strive to be the grittiest.”
- “Everything I’ve achieved has come from perseverance.”
- “Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”
- “As a mompreneur, I’ve learned that balance is not about dividing your time equally, it’s about giving each moment the value it deserves.”
- “Framing the issue of work-life balance – as if the two were dramatically opposed – practically ensures work will lose out. Who would ever choose work over life?”
- “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
- “Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we’re scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own to-do list.”
- “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Parting Thoughts
In the end, remember that there are striking resemblances between parenthood and entrepreneurship. No matter where a mother is, she is always thinking about her child. Similarly, a business owner is constantly brainstorming new ideas and trying to come up with novel strategies of business growth.
So, whether you are a mother who's about to start a small business or a business owner planning to conceive, just have faith in yourself. 2024 is a great year for women CEO. That's it's for this question how do you run a business and be a mom. Therefore, all the best to you.
