How to Protect Your Time and Energy as a Female Founder

Entrepreneurship isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle. But here’s the thing: when your work consumes everything, it starts to take everything from you. If you’re burnt out but feel like you can’t stop, it’s not just “how it is.” It’s a signal that something’s gotta give. As founders, we juggle a million things. Boundaries blur. Rest feels like a distant dream. And yet, we tell ourselves we don’t have a choice. But here’s the truth: Without boundaries, burnout isn’t just likely. It’s guaranteed. So how do you keep building without breaking yourself in the process? Here are five practical ways to set boundaries without slowing down your momentum: 1. Focus on Results, Not Hours ↳ You don’t get extra credit for burning the midnight oil. ↳ Prioritize what truly moves the needle—delegate or ditch the rest. ↳ Working smarter always beats working longer. 2. Time is Your Greatest Asset ↳ Schedule personal time like it’s your most important meeting—because it is. ↳ Learn to say “no” more often. ↳ Every “yes” has a cost; make sure it’s worth paying. 3. Unplug with Intention ↳ Take real breaks. Not “scroll on your phone” breaks—actual disconnects. ↳ Even one unplugged evening can reset your mind. ↳ Clarity comes when you step back, not when you push harder. 4. Build Your Circle ↳ Surround yourself with founders who get it. ↳ Share openly—it’s not weakness, it’s how we grow. ↳ No great business was ever built in isolation. 5. Set the Standard ↳ Your team watches you. If you don’t have boundaries, neither will they. ↳ Be vocal about protecting well-being. ↳ Show that success isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about sustainability. 👉 Founders, remember this: You are your business’s most valuable asset. Protecting yourself is not selfish—it’s essential. If you crash, what happens to the dream you’re building? P.S. Know a fellow founder who needs to hear this today? Share it with them. ➡️ Follow Eric Feng (CSP) - Global Speaker if you are also a founder.

Want to know the most overlooked productivity hack? It's not a new app. Not a morning routine. Not even time-blocking. It's simply taking care of yourself first. Here's the truth: You can't pour from an empty cup. And in business, an empty cup looks like: - Rushed decisions that cost you later - Reactive leadership instead of strategic thinking - Missing opportunities because you're too exhausted to see them - Team burnout because they're following your pace The solution isn't working harder. It's working smarter by protecting your energy first. 3 non-negotiables I've learned: 1. Create Sacred Space Block 2 hours each week just for thinking and reflection. No meetings, no calls, no "quick favors." 2. Do an Energy Audit Track what fills your cup vs. what drains it. Then ruthlessly delegate the drainers. (EOS Worldwide has a great tool for this: https://lnkd.in/gnEZ_x3W) 3. Establish a Boundaries Blueprint Create clear systems for when you're available and when you're not. Your team will adapt. Remember: Taking care of yourself isn't selfish - it's strategic. Your business needs you at your best, not your busiest. ♻️ Reshare this post to help another entrepreneur avoid tragic burnout ✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter for more leadership insights like this: www.markodonnell.me

The most important but often overlooked competitive advantage for founders is health. Yet, so few people talk about it. The startup journey is a grind - physically and emotionally demanding, usually lasting more than 5 years. I’ve seen so many founders start on great trajectories, only to lose energy and physical stamina along the way, leading to suboptimal outcomes - or none at all. Some of the things I’m about to recommend may sound obvious, but the key is that they work. They’ve helped me maintain a pretty intense rhythm over 16 years of building companies: - Stick to a consistent sleep schedule. I know this firsthand - when you go to sleep and wake up matters more than how many hours you sleep. A stable routine makes a big difference in long-term energy and focus. - Don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning. Seriously, no one will die if you do it one hour later after you do your morning exercise, have breakfast with your loved ones, and get into the right mood before jumping into work. Trust me - it makes a big difference. - Meditate daily, or take a power nap. Even a 10-minute session can reset your mind. If meditation isn’t your thing, a quick afternoon power nap is a great alternative and I'm a big fan of it. - Prioritize your sports & fitness activities - treat them as sacred. Block time on your calendar and don’t move it - even if an investor wants to talk then (you can always find another slot). For me, fitness is not just about physical health, but also mental hygiene - like a shower that washes away the mental dust of the day. - Always make time for relationships - it’s emotional fuel. Have at least one date night per week with your partner - go for dinner, drinks, or a movie. And don’t forget your friends. Hanging out and having fun at least every few weeks boosts emotional well-being. The best founders I know don’t just optimize for productivity - they optimize for sustainability. You can’t lead, innovate, or win if you’re running on fumes.

One thing I am always practicing daily as an entrepreneur is finding balance, setting boundaries and keeping my priorities. I want you to know that no matter what you have going on in life, finding that balance is so important to your overall well-being and success. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, but without balance, even the most ambitious goals can lead to burnout. Balance isn’t just about work life separation it’s about integrating the different aspects of your life in a way that feels sustainable and fulfilling. ❤ It means recognizing when to push forward and when to step back, ensuring that your health, relationships, and personal growth aren’t sacrificed for short term gains. Setting boundaries is crucial in this process. It’s not just about saying no to things that drain your energy, but also about creating space for what truly matters whether that’s spending time with loved ones, investing in self-care, or pursuing passions outside of work. Boundaries allow you to protect your time and energy so you can show up fully in every area of your life. Here are 3 best practices that I do as well as teach my clients when finding the perfect balance. It's not just about learning how to generate leads all the time or finding the perfect customer. But it's also about you.❤❤❤ 1️⃣Time Management- Time Blocking: Schedule specific times for work tasks and personal activities to avoid overlap and ensure you’re focusing on what matters most. 2️⃣ Set Boundaries: Define Work Hours: Stick to set working hours to prevent work from bleeding into personal time. 3️⃣ Delegate and outsource some of your work: Delegate Routine Tasks: Assign repetitive tasks to others to free up time for more strategic work. I can say alot more about these three practices. Know that I am not perfect which is why I said I practice this daily. Without balance there is nothing. How are you creating balance in your life today? What boundaries are you setting to protect your energy? Let’s share and inspire each other on this journey! -------------------------------------------------------------- Need help finding balance in your business? Let's talk and see where we can find more balance so you can achieve more success. With Love Viviana❤

As a leader, your energy is one of your most valuable resources. Every yes to something unimportant drains energy that should be fueling your BIG goals. The secret to success isn’t about doing it all—it’s about focusing on what truly matters. One of the most important lessons I've learned is this: saying no is how you protect your energy and multiply your impact. The best CEOs I coach know this instinctively. They say no more often than they say yes—not because they’re avoiding work, but because they’re preserving their focus and energy for what matters most. Here’s how you can do the same: + Define your energy zones. What activities fire you up? Which drain you? Focus on the work that energizes and drives results. + Guard your calendar ruthlessly. If it doesn’t align with your vision, it’s a no. Your time is your energy—and it’s nonrenewable. + Stop trying to do it all. Delegate what doesn’t require your expertise and delete what doesn’t serve your goals. Remember, saying no isn’t about scarcity—it’s about abundance. It’s how you stay energized, aligned with your vision, and say yes to #MakingBIGHappen.