5 things I would never do if I wanted time for my peace, presence and to avoid burnout

As women in business it’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle. The constant stream of advice, strategies and “shoulds” can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin and like we’re never doing enough.

But over the years, I’ve learned that what you don’t do is just as important as what you do. If you want to grow a business that supports your life, these are the 5 things I would NEVER do.

1. Chase every shiny strategy online

It’s tempting, right? You see someone else’s post, their podcast, their launch and suddenly you feel like you should be doing that too. But chasing every shiny new strategy keeps you busy, not productive. It spreads your energy thin and leaves you exhausted with little to show for it.

2. Skip reflection

Without reflection, you’re basically walking blind. You miss what’s working, which means you end up repeating the same mistakes. Taking time to pause and reflect creates the awareness you need to grow intentionally, rather than just staying stuck in the cycle of “do, do, do.”

3. Overload your to do list

This one’s a biggie. More tasks don’t equal more results. Overloading your to do list is the quickest way to stress and burnout. What you really want is impact, not busywork. A shorter, intentional list that aligns with your bigger vision will move you forward far faster than a crammed page of endless tasks.

4. Work without clear priorities

When you don’t know your true priorities, it’s easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels. Every day feels reactive rather than intentional. But when you’re clear on your top focus, every action you take creates momentum and it leaves room for life outside of business too.

5. Go it alone

Trying to do everything by yourself only leads to overwhelm and indecision. You end up wasting precious time second-guessing, overthinking, and carrying the weight of it all. And that’s time you could be spending on what really matters – family, rest, joy or even just your favourite hobby.

Building a business that fits around your life is possible, but it’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what’s aligned, intentional, and sustainable. These five “don’ts” are the boundaries I hold to protect my time, energy and presence for both my family and my business.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about how much you squeeze in, it’s about creating a life and business you actually love living.