The challenge of balancing work, personal life, and family is constant for women, who often take on multiple roles. In this scenario, seeking balance and time for work, family, and personal development may seem very complicated, but with organization and self-awareness, it is possible to build a routine that meets these demands without becoming overwhelming.
Sebrae data shows that 48% of Brazilian entrepreneurs are women, but many of them face unique challenges, such as the double shift of work and disproportionately distributed domestic responsibilities. Additionally, a UN study reveals that women spend, on average, twice as much time as men on unpaid tasks, such as household chores and childcare, which limits their opportunities for professional and personal growth.
For lawyer and entrepreneur Andressa Gnann, the starting point for balancing these roles is self-awareness. ‘Understanding your priorities, recognizing your limitations, learning to ask for help, and knowing what truly matters to you are fundamental steps to creating a lighter and more balanced routine,’ she says. According to her, many women end up overwhelmed because they don’t learn to say ‘no’ or always put themselves second.
Andressa emphasizes that planning is an essential tool in this process. ‘Organizing your routine strategically helps make better use of time. However, understanding that it won’t be possible to do everything and respecting your own limits is crucial. The most important thing is to set aside time for yourself and for everyday moments, like a family lunch, without worries. This isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining mental health and productivity. Problems should be addressed, yes, but at specific times,’ she advises.
The entrepreneur also suggests adopting practical time-management methods, such as using to-do lists or productivity apps, and recommends that women delegate whenever possible. ‘Entrepreneurship doesn’t mean doing everything alone—quite the opposite. To grow, it’s necessary to delegate responsibly. Identify what can be shared or outsourced, both in business and household tasks,’ she explains.
Additionally, Andressa reinforces the importance of continuous learning. ‘Investing in your own development, whether through training, online courses, or in-person events, helps broaden your perspective on managing time and business, while also creating a powerful network,’ she notes.
The entrepreneur highlights that a balanced routine doesn’t mean doing everything at once—it means doing well what truly matters. ‘When a woman prioritizes her mental health and organizes her time, she can build a solid path to entrepreneurship, achieve financial freedom, and balance other areas of life,’ she concludes.
Check out Andressa Gnann’s guidance for creating a balanced routine in 2025
- Set priorities: It’s necessary to evaluate what is truly important and focus energy on those areas.
- Create a weekly plan: Organize tasks into time blocks and include moments for yourself.
- Address matters in the right places: It’s important to recognize that discussing relationship issues during bedtime, focusing on children during work hours, or worrying about work at dinnertime only creates chaos and disrupts flow. Learning to address and take action at the right times and places is key.
- Delegate whenever possible: Women should ask for help at home, hire professionals to support their business, or share tasks with family members. No one may do it exactly like them, but that’s okay. With patience, knowledge, and proper training, others can do just as well or even better.
- Invest in self-awareness: Understanding your strengths and weaknesses will help you make more assertive decisions and align personal and professional goals.
- Use technology to your advantage: Tools like digital calendars and productivity apps can optimize your routine.
- Embrace flexibility: Allow yourself to adjust your plans as needed, avoiding rigidity that can create stress.
- Respect yourself and understand that ‘it’s okay’: According to Andressa, accepting that you can’t handle everything all the time is the path to managing life with ease.
