Meeting Topic
From Busy to Impactful: How to Simplify Our Leadership and Free Up Space to Grow – Josette Owen
As women leading a business in Aotearoa, we know our days are often full — client work, delivery, emails, admin, family, and everything in between. It’s no wonder many brilliant businesswomen feel stuck in “busy mode.”
The shift from busy to impactful isn’t about working harder. It’s about intentionally focusing our time and energy where it actually grows our business.
Global research reinforces this. McKinsey reports that leaders spend up to 60% of their week on low-value tasks, while HBR shows context-switching alone can cost 2–3 hours a day. For solopreneurs and small businesswomen (like us), that’s a huge drain on headspace — and a major blocker to growth.
A trusted model, adapted for solopreneurs
Before diving in, credit where it’s due. The thinking behind this approach comes from the classic Eisenhower Matrix, later popularised by Stephen Covey. I’ve adapted the intent for NZ BW as I believe a number of us are often teams of one (or very small) — where delegation looks very different.
The Simplification Lens (A Solopreneur-Friendly Version)
Instead of four quadrants, think of a single guiding question:
“Does this grow my business, grow my clients, or grow me?”
Then sort our tasks into four simple buckets:
- Do Less (Reduce or Delete)
Ask: If I stopped doing this, would anything break?
Often the answer is no.
Examples: over-polishing proposals, tweaking social posts for hours, maintaining systems we might not need.
- Do Later (Schedule with Intention)
Some tasks matter — but not today.
Protect a weekly “CEO Time” slot to park anything important but not urgent. Even one hour a week creates strategic breathing room.
- Do Differently (Solopreneur Delegation)
Delegation isn’t just hiring. It can look like:
- Automation (booking systems, templates, invoicing tools)
- Tiny outsourcing (a VA for 2 hours a week, AI, bookkeeping)
- Skill swaps with another businesswoman (genius move in this community)
- Batching instead of multitasking
The goal is to free our brain, not our entire task list.
- Do What Matters (Our Impact Zone)
Covey’s “important but not urgent” zone — the real engine of growth.
For most businesswomen, this includes:
- Strengthening client relationships
- Building our network
- Creating content that brings opportunities
- Thinking and planning ahead
- Looking after our wellbeing so we can perform at our best
A small, powerful experiment
Open your diary. Claim one hour this week as CEO Time.
Use it to scan your tasks using the four buckets.
Then choose:
- One thing to stop,
- One thing to outsource or automate,
- One thing that truly grows your business, and prioritise this.
Busy is familiar. Impactful is where our business moves, grows and becomes easier to run.
And when we lead with clarity, focus and confidence — the ripple effect is extraordinary.
I’m Josette Owen Executive & Organisational Coach, founder of Elevate Leadership. I partner with senior leaders to create clarity, unlock potential and build healthy, high-performing teams.
I’d love to connect — reach out anytime josette@elevateleadership.co.nz
Next Meeting Topic
The Energy Advantage: Why High-Performing Women Must Prioritise Their Health
As women in business, we’re often used to pushing through, early starts, late nights, heavy workloads, family commitments, and everything in between. Being tired becomes normal. But low energy isn’t just an inconvenience. It directly affects how we think, lead, and show up in our work.
Your energy is one of your biggest business assets. When its low, decisions feel harder, focus drops, confidence shrinks, and productivity slows. And often, it’s not because we’re doing anything “wrong”, it’s because we’re running on empty.
Many women I work with discover that improving their energy isn’t about working harder or being more disciplined. It’s about fuelling themselves in a way that supports the life and business they’re trying to lead.
Why Energy Matters in Business
When your energy is steady, everything improves:
- Clearer thinking
- Faster decision-making
- Better stress tolerance
- More stable mood
- Higher productivity
- More consistent leadership
These aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re the foundation of performing well in any role.
What Drains Our Energy (Often Without Us Realising)
Busy women unknowingly create energy rollercoasters through:
- Skipping meals
- Grazing instead of eating proper meals
- Not eating enough protein
- Relying on caffeine
- Forgetting to hydrate
- Stress-related eating patterns
- Lack of sleep
None of these habits reflect a lack of willpower. They reflect a full life.
Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference
Improving energy doesn’t require a dramatic overhaul. Small, consistent changes are far more realistic for most of us.
- Start your day with protein
Stable blood sugar = stable energy.
- Eat three proper meals
It stops the rollercoaster effect of grazing.
- Prioritise sleep
Good sleep is one of the strongest tools for better energy, mood, and focus.
- Hydrate early
Even mild dehydration affects your focus and mood.
- Build one simple system
A weekly meal plan, a set breakfast, or a water bottle that goes everywhere, systems create consistency when life gets busy.
Once women start fuelling and supporting themselves properly, their energy rises. And when energy rises, so does confidence, clarity, and capacity, all things that directly influence business performance.
Energy Is a Leadership Skill
Leadership isn’t only about communication or strategy. It’s also about self-management. The ability to think clearly, respond rather than react, and show up consistently all depend on your energy.
Taking care of your health isn’t indulgent.
It’s a strategic business decision.
Discussion Questions
- What drains your energy the fastest in your work or business life?
What’s one small habit or system that helps you feel more energised during the week?
