Blog 6: Time Management for Busy Women: Prioritising Your Dreams
Blog 6 in our series on women setting goals
Your dreams aren't selfish — they’re a part of you
Even in the busiest seasons, there’s a way to honour them. This gentle post is a reminder that five minutes can be a powerful start.
Let’s be honest — when you’re juggling work, family, relationships, community, and that never-ending laundry pile, chasing your dreams can feel like a luxury you can’t afford. For many of us, time management isn’t just about scheduling.
It’s about permission. Permission to prioritize yourself.
We are caregivers, multitaskers, helpers. And while those roles are meaningful, they can also leave us at the bottom of our own to-do list. But here’s the truth: there is no perfect time to pursue your dream. Life won’t slow down and roll out a red carpet. You’ve got to weave your dream into the edges and corners of your day — and yes, sometimes that means fiercely protecting five sacred minutes.
Start small. Five minutes a day might sound like nothing, but it’s not. It’s a seed. A scribbled idea, a list of steps, one email sent and it builds momentum. I would often work on my book in fifteen-minute blocks between hanging out the washing and dinner prep. Small time is still real time. In fact, it’s a system. A favourite quote from James Clear’s Atomic Habits that reminds us of the power of small steps. "
“You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”
Set boundaries. I know it’s easier said than done, but every time you say yes to something that drains you, you're saying no to something that fuels you. Try flipping that script: What would I be saying yes to if I gently declined this? Rest? Focus? Progress?
Learn to say no without guilt. I find this especially hard. I feel guilty when I do and guilty when I don’t. The good news is that I’ve I finally realised that not everything needs to be done by me. Not every invitation needs my yes. And no, I don’t have to explain.
Value your time as much as you value others'. When your kids, your team, or your friends see you taking time for your goals, they don’t see selfishness — they see self-respect. You’re modelling something powerful: that dreams matter, and women’s dreams are worth the time.
So here’s your gentle challenge: Where can you find five minutes today? Not to tidy, fix or help — but to inch your dream forward. Open the laptop. Jot down the idea. Make the call. Sit and breathe.
Five minutes. It’s not much… unless you use it
Until next time,
