**Sending love to all of you in seasons of waiting of grief around this sensitive topic. Please feel full permission to skip this episode if needed. ❤️

In this episode of “Seriously In Business,” I want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at my experience during the first trimester as a business owner. It wasn’t easy juggling my business responsibilities while dealing with pregnancy symptoms, but I managed to keep things running relatively smoothly. And I wanted to share some real insights into what this practically looked like and some things I’ve learnt along the way.

1. Embracing the Reality:

The first trimester comes with unique physical and emotional changes. Whether you’re combating nausea, fatigue, or both, accept that some days will be more challenging than others. Embrace the reality of your situation and adjust your expectations accordingly.

2. Reshuffling Your Work Schedule:

As a mum (or future mum) and business owner, you’re used to juggling multiple responsibilities. During the first trimester, your energy levels might fluctuate, making it crucial to reassess your work schedule. Consider delegating tasks, reorganising priorities, and perhaps even batch recording content well in advance, allowing you to relax and focus on self-care.

3. The Power of Batch Recording:

One of the best things I did during the early stages of my pregnancy was to batch record. By pre-recording a month or two’s worth of podcast episodes and YouTube tutorials in the first week or two of finding out we were pregnant, I created a buffer that allowed me to continue delivering valuable content to my audience without compromising my well-being after my symptoms kicked in around week 6 of pregnancy.

5. Setting Realistic Goals:

It’s essential to set realistic expectations and goals for yourself during this time. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that your productivity levels may vary. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on achieving small, manageable tasks.

6. Prioritising What Matters Most:

Running a successful business requires strategic prioritisation, especially during pregnancy. Identify the key aspects of your business that need your attention and prioritise them accordingly. This might mean focusing on revenue-generating activities or meeting the needs of your clients while temporarily putting non-essential tasks on hold. Are there any launches you can postpone, content schedules you can spread out or clients that won’t mind being shuffled back in your calendar?

7. Building a Support Network:

Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, and fellow mums who understand the unique challenges of juggling pregnancy and entrepreneurship. Lean on this network when you need a helping hand or simply someone to vent to. Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Plus, if you have a team, let them in on what’s going on for you so they can support you as much as possible during this season.

8. Self-Care is Key:

While it’s easy to get consumed by work and your growing to-do list, self-care should remain a top priority. Take the time to nurture yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Listen to your body, rest when needed, and then rest some more. A healthy, happy mum is a more productive business woman.

Embracing the first trimester as a is an exciting yet challenging endeavour. By giving yourself permission, reshuffling your work schedule, setting realistic goals, and prioritising self-care, you can successfully navigate this transformative phase in your life and business. Remember, you are a superwoman, capable of balancing both motherhood and entrepreneurship – but that doesn’t mean entrepreneurship always has to take first place.

If you loved this episode as much as I loved sharing it with you…there is more where that came from!

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