Balancing Creativity + Business
One of the questions I hear most often, especially from creative women building their own business is:
“How do you balance time for your own creative work with the demands of running a business?”
It’s such an important question. Because let’s be honest:
✨ We started our businesses to have more time for what we love — not less.
✨ We dreamed of freedom, not overwhelm.
✨ And yet… somewhere along the way, the business side can start to take over.
If you’re feeling that tug-of-war between your art and your admin, your creativity and your calendar — I see you. And today, I want to share how I’ve learned (and am still learning!) to balance both.
Why This Balance Feels So Hard
First, let’s name what’s going on — because there’s nothing wrong with you.
🌿 Creative work requires openness, exploration, and time.
You need space to think, play, and make mistakes.
📈 Business work requires structure, action, and decisions.
You need focus, systems, and follow-through.
It’s no wonder these two things can feel at odds sometimes!
The good news is, they can absolutely co-exist — with intention.
My Personal Journey With This Balance
When I started my business, I was so focused on getting it up and running.
💻 I built my first membership program.
📝 I learned email marketing.
🎥 I figured out tech tools.
🚀 I launched and re-launched and launched again.
And you know what? My own creative practice started slipping further down the to-do list.
Eventually, I realized:
If I don’t protect time for my art, no one else is going to do it for me.
So I made some changes. And over time, I’ve created rhythms that help me nurture both sides of my work.
What Helps Me Balance Creativity + Business
Here’s what’s worked for me, and what might help you too:
1️⃣ I schedule creative time like any other important appointment.
If I want to sketch, paint, or design, I block time on my calendar. I treat it as non-negotiable because it fuels everything else I do.
✨ Tip: Even 30 minutes can make a difference. Start small.
2️⃣ I batch tasks to free up mental space.
Instead of switching between writing a blog, sending an email, and working on art all in one day, I try to group similar tasks together.
One day a month for blog and podcast content batching. I try to do 3-4 on this one day.
One day a month for reviewing my P&L.
One day a month for website updates.
✨ Tip: The more you batch, the more energy you have for creativity.
3️⃣ I keep my systems simple.
(Yes — we touched on this in other blogs, but it bears repeating!)
The simpler my tools and processes, the more time I have for the work I love.
✨ Tip: Audit your systems quarterly. Where are you over-complicating things?
4️⃣ I set boundaries around my time.
I say no to projects or requests that don’t align with my bigger goals. That frees up space for what matters most.
✨ Tip: Write down your top 3 business + creative priorities. Let them guide your yeses and no’s.
What This Looks Like In My Week
For those who like practical examples, here’s a rough sketch of how I balance things:
📅 Mornings: My best creative time. I protect it for writing, drawing, planning new designs, or working on special projects.
📅 Afternoons: Coaching calls, admin, email.
📅 Fridays: Lighter work where possible. A chance to catch up, reflect, or work on longer-term creative ideas.
And no, it’s not perfect every week! But having a loose structure helps me stay grounded.
Reflection Questions for You
If you want to create more balance between your creative output and business demands, ask yourself:
✨ Where do I feel most drained in my business right now?
✨ What creative activity brings me the most joy and when can I make time for it?
✨ What’s one small change I could make this week to protect space for my art?
Final Thoughts
Running a creative business will always have its push-pull moments. But remember:
🌟 Your creativity is why you started this.
🌟 Your business exists to support your art, not overshadow it.
🌟 You can design your days to honor both.
You don’t have to choose between being an artist and being an entrepreneur. You can be both and thrive.
Because it’s never too late to create®.
👉 Missed it?
If you missed The Creative Business Blueprint LIVE last month, you can now access the course version and get your own roadmap for balancing business and creativity. Click here to learn more.
xo,
Anne
P.S. I will be live on Wednesday at noon PDT which is 3pm EDT.
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It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
