The challenge of reconciling work, personal life and family is constant for women, who often have multiple roles. In this scenario, finding balance and time for work, family and investing in one's own development seems very complicated, but, with organization and self-knowledge, it is possible to build a routine that meets these demands without overload.
Sebrae data shows that 48% of Brazilian entrepreneurs are women, but many of them face unique challenges, such as double working hours and disproportionately distributed domestic responsibilities. Furthermore, a UN study reveals that women spend, on average, twice as much time as men on unpaid tasks, such as taking care of the house and children, which limits their opportunities for professional and personal growth.
For the lawyer and businesswoman Andressa Gnann, the starting point for balancing these roles is self-knowledge. “Understanding your priorities, recognizing your limitations, learning to ask for help and knowing what is really important to you are fundamental steps to creating a lighter and more balanced routine”, he says. According to her, many women end up overwhelmed because they don't learn to say “no” or because they always put themselves in the background.
Andressa highlights that planning is an essential tool in this process. "Organizing your routine strategically helps you make better use of your time. However, understanding that it will not be possible to do everything and respecting your own limits is fundamental. The most important thing is to set aside time for yourself and for common everyday moments, such as a family lunch, without worries. This is not a luxury, it is a necessity to maintain mental health and productivity. Problems should be addressed, yes, but at specific moments", he advises.
The businesswoman also suggests adopting practical time management methods, such as using to-do lists or productivity apps, and recommends that women delegate whenever possible. "Entrepreneurship does not mean doing everything alone, quite the opposite, to grow you need to delegate responsibly. Identify what can be shared or outsourced, both in the business and in domestic tasks", he explains.
Furthermore, Andressa reinforces the importance of seeking constant training. “Investing in your own development, whether through training, online courses or in-person meetings, helps to broaden your vision on how to manage your time and business, as well as creating a powerful network”, he warns.
The entrepreneur emphasizes that a balanced routine does not mean doing everything at the same time, but doing what really matters well. “When a woman prioritizes her mental health and organizes her time, she can build a solid path to entrepreneurship, achieving financial freedom and balancing other areas of life”, she concludes.
Check out Andressa Gnann's guidelines for creating a balanced routine in 2025
- Set priorities: It is necessary to evaluate what is really important and focus energy on these areas.
- Create a weekly plan: Organize tasks into blocks of time and include moments for yourself.
- Knowing how to take care of matters in the right places: It is important to know that discussing the relationship during bedtime, focusing on the children during work hours or worrying about work during dinner will only leave life a mess and nothing will flow properly. It is important to learn to discuss and take action at the exact places and times.
- Delegate whenever possible: Women should ask for help at home, hire professionals to support their business or share tasks with family members. Maybe no one does it like her, but that's okay. With patience, knowledge and adequate training, other people will do as well or even better.
- Investing in self-knowledge: Understanding your strengths and weaknesses will help you make more assertive decisions and align personal and professional goals.
- Use technology to your advantage: Tools such as digital calendars and productivity apps can optimize your routine.
- Embrace flexibility: You need to allow yourself to adjust your planning as needed, avoiding rigidity that can create stress.
- Respect yourself and understand that “everything is okay”: According to Andressa, understanding that it’s okay not to be able to handle everything all the time is the way to manage life lightly.
