Let’s not sugarcoat it—your time is already spoken for.
You’re working a job, managing your life, and probably thinking about a dozen other things while reading this—and now you’re somehow supposed to build a business on top of that?
It’s not that you’re lazy or disorganized.
It’s that you’re maxed out.
And no productivity hack is going to magically give you more hours.
Still, if you’re like most of the women I work with, you’ve probably said some version of:
→ “I’ll start when things calm down.”
→ “I just need one free weekend to catch up.”
→ “Next month I’ll really focus.”
Let’s call that what it is: a delay dressed up like a plan.
Because life’s not going to hand you a 3-hour window with a bow on top.
And if you keep waiting for things to be less full, your business will always be the thing you circle back to later.
Here’s the shift that changed everything for me:
You don’t need more time.
You need to treat your business like it matters—now.
Not just when life slows down. Not just when it’s “the right time.”
Now.
TL;DR
→ You’re not behind—you’re carrying too much.
→ You don’t need to add more. You need to protect what matters.
→ One small, intentional block of time each week can change everything.
You Know Your Business—So Why Does It Still Feel Off?
You’ve put yourself out there. You know what you do and who you want to serve.
But somehow, your message doesn’t feel like you yet. It’s hard to speak about your work with confidence. You second-guess if it really connects.
That gap between knowing your business and owning your niche is exactly what the Niche Clarity Workshop will help you close.
Join me live on Wednesday, June 25 | 7:00–8:30pm EST on Zoom to:
- Get clear on who you truly serve and what they need to hear
- Refine your niche so it feels focused and authentic
- Practice speaking your message with confidence
- Walk away with real momentum and clarity
This isn’t about starting over—it’s about stepping into your space with confidence.
Just $27. Limited spots.
Save your seat here
When your message fits, everything else gets easier.
Okay, time for today’s deep dive.
Deep Dive: Your Business Deserves Better Than “When I Have Time”
We’ve all heard it:
Wake up earlier.
Time block better.
Batch content.
Be more productive.
And sure, in theory? Some of that works.
But let’s be real—if your days are already packed, stacking more structure just feels like adding pressure.
And when you can’t stick to the plan perfectly?
Cue the spiral:
→ “I’m just not disciplined enough.”
→ “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”
→ “I’ll try again next week.”
Sound familiar?
Here’s what’s actually going on:
Your brain isn’t broken. You’re not flakey. You’re overwhelmed.
And your mind is doing exactly what it’s designed to do—protect you from one more thing that feels like a threat to your capacity.
This is what I wish more women were told:
You’re not unmotivated.
You’re maxed out.
That’s a very different problem—and it needs a very different solution.
What If You Stopped “Fitting It In”
Here’s the deal:
If you keep treating your business like it’s optional, it’ll keep getting pushed to the edge of your life.
Instead of trying to “squeeze it in,” what if you made it a non-negotiable?
Not in a pressure-filled, hustle-harder kind of way.
In a this actually matters to me, so I’m going to make space for it kind of way.
Here’s what that looks like:
→ Don’t wait for a full afternoon. Start with 30 minutes you protect like gold.
→ Don’t try to conquer your entire to-do list. Choose one thing that moves the needle.
→ Don’t say, “when I have time.” Say, “this gets time—because it matters.”
This isn’t about pretending you don’t have a full life.
It’s about building a business that fits into your life—and still gets taken seriously.
Because this thing you’re building?
It deserves more than your leftover energy.
HERE’S WHAT I DID (AND STILL DO):
I used to live in “once things calm down” mode.
But things never calmed down. So I changed the plan.
I started making little business dates with myself—usually at Panera, sometimes in my car with a drink and a hotspot.
Just me and whatever I’d been avoiding.
No mile-long to-do list. No pressure to be wildly productive.
Just one goal: Do the thing I keep pushing off that actually matters.
→ Sometimes that was brainstorming my offer.
→ Sometimes it was sending one brave email.
→ Sometimes it was just sitting still long enough to ask, what do I even want right now?
None of it looked impressive from the outside.
But it built momentum.
And honestly? It rebuilt trust with myself.
Because I finally stopped ghosting my business—and started showing up even when things were messy.
Your 3-Step Business Time Reset
Here’s what to do this week if you’re ready to actually make progress:
1. Schedule one 30-minute block.
Literally—put it on your calendar like it’s a dentist appointment.
Don’t wait to “feel ready.”
Pick a time, protect it, and call it sacred.
2. Choose one needle-moving task.
Not busywork. Not rearranging Canva templates.
Something like:
→ Write 3 messy bullet points for your offer
→ Send a message to someone who’s asked what you’re working on
→ Record a voice note about your idea and listen back later
→ Post a “building in real time” update—even if 4 people see it
3. Stick to the block—and call it a win.
No catch-up. No guilt if it’s not perfect.
The win is that you showed up when you said you would.
That’s how you rebuild trust with yourself.
That’s how consistency starts to feel doable.
Let’s Keep the Momentum Going
- Celebrate your follow-through. Every win counts. Name it. Own it.
- Be honest about capacity. This isn’t about doing the most—it’s about doing what actually matters.
- Use tech to support, not stress. Reminders, voice notes, simple tracking. Keep it light and useful.
- Rest like it’s part of the plan. You can’t build from burnout. Protect your energy like it’s part of the strategy—because it is.
- Say it out loud. Text a friend what you’re committing to. That little layer of accountability can go a long way.
- Adjust, don’t abandon. If something doesn’t work this week? Tweak it. Don’t toss it. Momentum isn’t about perfection—it’s about staying in motion.
You’ve got what you need—now it’s just about showing up for it.
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Talk soon,
Kristina Portella, Business Strategist
Founder of Side Business Momentum
Where clarity meets momentum-for a business that truly fits your life.
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