04-08-2025
Female Leaders: Own Your Time By Redefining Productivity And Balance
Dr. Sohee Jun, founder of S.J. Consulting, is a women's leadership coach, bestselling author, and expert on women's workplace challenges.
Through coaching ambitious modern women and reflecting on my own experiences, I've come to experience life as a delicate, and often precarious, tightrope walk. Balancing career aspirations, family responsibilities, personal growth and everything in between is overwhelming; there's never enough time to manage it all. At times, it seems as though one misstep or imbalance could send everything tumbling—and sometimes that's not far from reality.
So, here's one truth we don't talk enough about or give ourselves permission to believe: You don't have to do it all—you're here to thrive.
And that requires a redefinition of our beliefs about what it means to be a "successful woman." It requires the courage to step away from the conventional wisdom we've been told about what we should be doing and how we should be doing it—including striving to do it all.
Reject The 'More' Mindset In Favor Of Real Productivity
Most of us (including myself!) are at the mercy of the "more" mindset, thinking we always need to be working harder and cramming more into our day. Haven't we all tried this, only to end up deeply, utterly exhausted?
From the moment we get up, we're told we need to meditate, work out, ensure our kids are fed and off to school (if we have children), then off to work we go, where we go from mapping strategy to delegating tasks to catching up with coworkers to supporting team members, to doing the actual work, "showing up" every minute and thinking weeks ahead while trying to manage what's right in front of us (and most definitely forgetting to eat or move) ... and suddenly it's 6 p.m.
High achiever, I see you. It's time for a new approach.
If this way of living and time management no longer feels sustainable, I invite you to live and work in a way that feels aligned by protecting your priorities and staying committed to them.
Productivity isn't about doing more; it's about doing what matters. Let that sink in for a moment. Take a step back and reflect on how you spend your time. Are you letting notifications—every ping and ding—dictate your day? Are you at the mercy of whatever pops up on your calendar, including meetings scheduled without your input? Building a meaningful day—and ultimately a fulfilling life—begins with clarity. It's about both knowing and staying focused on your priorities and owning your time in alignment with them.
Get Curious And Redefine Balance
Ask yourself: What does balance look like in my life right now? And more importantly, how can I redefine it in a way that works for me? Balance isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. It evolves as your life and priorities change.
A year ago, my calendar was packed with back-to-back meetings and endless tasks. I felt so drained and disconnected from what mattered. Now, I've discovered balance, and for me, that means creating space between tasks and kindly but firmly saying "no" to requests that don't align with my priorities.
I won't sugarcoat it—this wasn't easy. In fact, learning to let go of the need to do everything was one of the hardest habits I've ever built. But it's also been one of the most rewarding. Owning my time has allowed me to not only pursue my ambitions but do so in a way that supports my well-being.
So, get curious and redefine what productivity and balance can look like in this season of your life. Balance is personal, so ask yourself what it looks like for you, then structure your day to honor both your goals and your joy. Once you've identified what that looks like for you specifically, you can take aligned steps.
Build A Plan—And Take Items Off Your List
A solid plan is your roadmap, but adaptability keeps you moving forward. Take time each Sunday to identify the top two to three priorities for the week. Then look at your calendar to ensure that the activities, meetings, tasks and to-dos are aligned to it.
And here's the other part of the equation that we don't do often enough: Take items off the list.
We're well-practiced in building our to-do list; meanwhile, the "muscle" of taking misaligned and less important items off of that list has atrophied. Most women I coach need this reminder frequently: "If you're saying 'yes' to [X], then what will you say 'no' to?" This half of the question really stops people in their tracks—and that's a good thing!
The way to own our time is to really discern the commitments we want to show up for. Not only does this serve the people we're in interaction with because our energy is more present, but also we're more clear and less distracted. So, identify your priority for the week and take other items off the list. It's okay to reschedule meetings; it's also okay to give yourself permission to say "not now," or even "no," with clarity and kindness.
Well-Being And Mindset Are Key
Your well-being fuels your productivity, so recharge with short walks or deep breaths to stay focused and creative. As a mindfulness practitioner and long-time meditator, these practices have shifted how I show up and allow me to ground myself in what's right in front of me.
Last but not least, as a mindset coach and expert, I make it a habit to be aware of my mindset and how I'm thinking about a situation. If I find my mindset isn't supportive, I reframe it so I can prepare myself for success. Stay curious about yourself, listen to your inner voice and keep learning about your inner narrative so you can keep it aligned.
As a whole, productivity and our definition of balance are personal, and your journey is uniquely yours. But I hope you'll experiment with these guidelines to identify what works for you in this season of your life.
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