From Dropping Balls to Strategic Priorities: How Successful Female Entrepreneurs Manage Overwhelm

As busy female entrepreneurs, we've all been there. The never-ending to-do list grows longer, unexpected client demands appear, family needs arise, and suddenly we feel like we're dropping all the balls we've been so carefully juggling. That familiar wave of guilt washes over us as we tell ourselves the story that we're failing somehow.

But what if we're looking at it all wrong?

Dropping vs. Placing: A Powerful Reframe

What if, instead of "dropping the balls," we were actually making conscious decisions to place certain balls down temporarily? This isn't semantics—it's a complete mindset shift that can transform how you view yourself and your capabilities.

When we say we're "dropping the ball," we're using language that implies failure, accident, and lack of control. It triggers shame and self-criticism. But when we recognise that we're intentionally "placing balls down" to prioritise something more urgent or important, we acknowledge our agency and decision-making power.

The Reality of Entrepreneurial Life

The truth is that no business plan survives contact with reality. Life happens.
Unexpected client deliverables emerge. Family members get sick. Opportunities arise that weren't on your radar.

When these things happen, reprioritisation isn't a failure—it's smart business strategy.

A Coaching Story

Recently, I worked with a client who was beating herself up because she couldn't complete everything on her weekly business plan. An unexpected client deliverable had appeared, requiring immediate attention, which meant other things had to wait.

"I'm dropping balls everywhere," she shared during our session.

Together, we discovered how she hadn't dropped anything. Instead, she had made a conscious decision to place certain tasks down temporarily because something more urgent required her attention.

This simple reframe was transformative. She realised she had actually made an intentional choice that aligned with her business priorities. There was no need for shame or guilt—in fact, she could feel proud of her ability to adapt and make tough decisions under pressure.

How This Reframe Changes Everything

When we stop telling ourselves we're dropping balls and instead recognise we're strategically placing some down, several powerful shifts happen:

1. We eliminate unnecessary guilt and shame
2. We reclaim our sense of control and agency
3. We make peace with the reality that priorities shift
4. We feel more confident in our decision-making abilities
5. We show up more fully in both business and life

Moving Forward: Questions to Ask Yourself

The next time you feel like you're "dropping balls," pause and ask yourself:
• Am I actually making an intentional choice based on current priorities?
• Which balls truly need my attention right now, and which can I place down?

By reframing the narrative from "dropping" to "placing," you give yourself permission to be human, to adapt to changing circumstances, and to make the necessary adjustments that smart business owners make every day.

Remember: You're not dropping the ball. You're just putting some balls down for now because you're busy catching the ones that matter most at this moment.