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Batch It, Box It, Block It

Time Blocking Strategies for Female Founders Who Want to Stay Focused and Avoid Burnout


Welcome to Mindfulness in Minutes, the no-fluff space for real strategies that support the boldest builders and boundary-setters.


Time Isn’t Free—It Just Shifts

The idea of “free time” is a myth for most women in business. For female founders and entrepreneurial minds, space in the calendar doesn’t magically open up—it simply gets reassigned.


Even when one big project wraps, three others are waiting in the wings. That’s not chaos. That’s clarity—if there’s a system behind it.


Funny meme about how female founders would rather spend their free time with something not productive



Why Time Blocking Works (When Done Right)

There’s a reason so many high-functioning entrepreneurs turn to time blocking: it’s a proven way to protect energy, stay focused, and move businesses forward without running on fumes.


That said, rigid scheduling isn’t the answer for everyone. The magic lies in building a flexible, mindful system—one that aligns with real priorities and how energy flows during the day.


What begins as overwhelm becomes structure with one shift: turning the calendar into a strategy.



A Real-Life Time-Blocked Monday (Founder Edition)

Here’s a glimpse at Erin’s Normal Monday Schedule that balances parenting, content creation, product work, and brand building:

  • 6:00am–8:15am: School prep, skincare, and a dog walk

  • 9:00am–10:00am: Movement & workout

  • 10:00am–10:45am: Admin catch-up

  • 10:45am–1:30pm: ✍🏼 Time Boxed – Write THE BIG F Newsletter

  • 1:30–2:00pm: Lunch + refocus

  • 2:00–3:15pm: Time Boxed – Blog writing (theme, outline, research)

  • 4:20–6:00pm: Emails, online shop, content check-in

  • 6:00–8:30pm: Dinner, bedtime routine

  • 8:30–9:30pm: Catch-up work or downtime

  • 9:30pm on: Unwind with a show (currently: The Righteous Gemstones)


Bolded items = Time-Boxed = Non-Negotiables. These are protected for deep, focused work or personal non-negotiables like meditation.



Top 3 Time Blocking Methods for Mindful Productivity


1. Task Batching 

Group similar activities (emails, creative work, admin) to minimize mental switching. Example: Answer emails only twice per day, not every 8 minutes.

Pro Tip: One founder even includes her batching schedule in her email signature—e.g., “I check email at 11am and 3pm ET.”


2. Daily Themes 

Assign full days to key focus areas. This reduces decision fatigue and builds rhythm:

  • Mondays = Writing & Admin

  • Tuesdays = Content Creation

  • Fridays = Finance + Creative Projects


3. Time Boxing 

Set strict windows for focused work. No rollovers. Think: 45-minute writing sprint with a hard stop—perfect for founders prone to perfection paralysis.


Time blocking options for female founders to create mindful productivity



The Science Behind the System

This isn’t just founder folklore. Research backs it up:

  • UC Irvine Study: Switching tasks wastes up to 23 minutes of focus each time

  • Journal of Cognitive Psychology: Structured time improves creativity and problem-solving

  • Journal of Applied Psychology: Time blocking boosts task completion by 25%

  • Cal Newport’s Deep Work: Focused time delivers high-impact results for knowledge workers and entrepreneurs


Bottom line: distraction is expensive. Structure creates space for success.



Reality Inventory: Schedule with Intention

Let’s do a mini “Reality Inventory” to align your time with your true priorities:

  • I am most productive during: __________

  • I feel most creative during: __________

  • I feel best when I move during: __________

  • I need true rest during: __________

  • What’s working in my schedule?

  • What’s not working?

  • What shift do I need to make?

  • Does my current calendar reflect the life and business I want?


Truth > guilt. This isn’t judgment. It’s data.



Final Thought: Time Is a Founder’s Greatest Asset

Not every hour needs to be filled, but every priority should have its place.


Whether the goal is launching a new brand, scaling a community, or just getting through this quarter without burning out, time blocking transforms reaction into intention.


So next time someone asks what’s happening with all that “free time,” here’s the answer: “Using my great assets wisely, of course!”

Subscribe to THE BIG F Newsletter: Think of it like your own personal swan floation device full of mindfulness and entrepreneurial insights to help you grow your business without losing your sh*t.


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