Building a Business That Aligns with Your Life Goals
Jan 16, 2025
Have you ever felt like you’re running on a never-ending treadmill, working tirelessly but still not getting ahead? Many female entrepreneurs feel this way, especially when juggling a business, family responsibilities, and personal goals. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.
Let’s reimagine a business model where you’re not glued to your phone 24/7, where growth doesn’t require you to work more hours, and where your goals align beautifully with your life priorities.
Why Scalable Systems Are Non-Negotiable for Female Entrepreneurs
Imagine a business that not only provides financial freedom but also gives you the flexibility to spend more time with your family, travel, or simply enjoy a peaceful morning coffee without checking your email. Sounds dreamy, right? It’s achievable when you prioritize a life-first business model.
As I prepped for our January trip and took some intentional time off, I got a ton of questions about how we plan as a family. So, let’s dive in. If you’ve been curious about creating a business that supports your life (and not the other way around), you’re in the right place.
The Foundation: Life Before Business
In our family, the plan always starts with life goals first. What do we want to do together this quarter? Once we’ve mapped that out, I layer in business goals to align with our priorities. This method isn’t just for show; it’s been the key to creating a rinse-and-repeat system that’s sustainable and, frankly, freeing.
But let’s get real: the biggest game-changer in building a life-first business wasn’t just better planning. It was talking about it more. With my family. Every day.
I used to hide in my office, work furiously, and never share what I was working on. It’s no surprise my family wasn’t involved or invested in my business—it felt like this thing I was doing “on the side.” Now? It’s a shared effort, and that shift has made all the difference.
Here are the three habits we’ve adopted to make family planning and business alignment seamless—and dare I say, fun.
1. Sunday Planning: The Weekly Reset
Sunday planning has become a non-negotiable in our house. It starts with me using my trusty planner (yes, the one with the brand-new cover—grab yours at hollymariehaynes.com/planner).
But Sunday planning doesn’t stop with me. In the afternoon or evening, we sit down as a family and map out our week together.
How It Works:
- The Chalkboard Method: We keep a chalkboard in the kitchen where the girls take turns writing out everyone’s weekly schedule. Not just theirs—everyone’s. This way, they know if I have a big week of client calls or if Scott has an important deadline.
- The Conversation: We look at the week ahead and talk through any challenges. If Wednesday is packed, we brainstorm how to prepare or simplify things.
This has been a game changer. The kids feel involved, and it helps us all stay on the same page.
2. Dinner Conversations: Connection and Communication
Family dinners are sacred in our house—not because I’m serving gourmet meals every night (spoiler: I’m not), but because they’re our time to connect.
Why This Matters:
Growing up, I didn’t have consistent family dinners. My parents divorced when I was in high school, and my dad moved to Florida, leaving my mom to raise us. When my dad passed away at 25, it added another layer of complexity to those childhood memories.
So now, as a mom, I’m determined to make dinner a meaningful ritual. And yes, this ties into business.
At dinner, we do a roundtable discussion. Sometimes it’s “Peak and Pit” (sharing the day’s highs and lows). Other times, we use table conversation cards to spark discussions.
What We Share:
We talk about everything—what the girls did at school, what Scott has going on at work, and, yes, what I did in my business.
- Did I record a podcast?
- Meet with a client?
- Brainstorm a new offer?
By sharing these moments, my family knows what I’m working on, and they see the effort behind the scenes. The feedback they give (solicited or not!) often sparks fresh ideas.
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3. Involving the Kids: Collaborative Work Sessions
One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve made is letting go of the “mom versus business owner” separation. Instead, I’ve embraced blending the two.
How It Works:
- When the girls come home from school and I have emails to finish, I invite them to join me. They bring their homework or books, and we set a timer to work side by side.
- They’ve become my mini accountability partners—we all work toward finishing by a certain time.
This practice isn’t limited to the kids. Scott and I also schedule regular “work meetings.” These are dedicated times to discuss finances, marketing, and big-picture business goals. Sometimes we’re in pajamas on a Sunday morning, but it still counts.
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Why This Matters
When I stopped trying to compartmentalize every aspect of my life, something incredible happened:
- My family became invested in my business.
- They understood not just the wins but also the hard work it takes to achieve them.
This isn’t about making everyone in your family a business partner. It’s about creating an open dialogue and designing a life where everyone feels involved and aligned.
Your Turn: Designing Your Life-First Business
If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds great, but how do I start?”—here’s a simple framework:
- Quarterly Planning: Start with your family’s priorities. What vacations, events, or milestones are coming up? Then layer in business goals.
- Weekly Check-Ins: Dedicate time to review the week as a family. Use a shared calendar or a fun tool like a chalkboard to make it interactive.
- Daily Conversations: Talk about your day, your business, and your goals. Normalize these discussions, so everyone understands (and supports) the bigger picture.
Collaborative Moments: Include your family in your work when possible. It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection.
Final Thoughts: Aligning Your Business with Your Life Goals
Scaling your business doesn’t mean sacrificing your personal life or values. With the right systems, strategies, and mindset, you can build a business that supports your ideal lifestyle. Remember, the goal isn’t to work harder but to work smarter—and to create a legacy that brings you both financial freedom and fulfillment.
Ready to take the first step? Explore our resources or book a consultation to start building the business (and life) you’ve always dreamed of.
About the author
Holly Haynes is a business strategist who loves a good plan and flow chart. She is crazy passionate about teaching women like you how to build your dream job and scale to 6-figures without sacrificing your weekends or priorities.
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