How to Stay Motivated When Life Gets Busy

Life is full — but your goals still matter. ✨

Let’s be real: sometimes it feels like your to-do list is running the show, not you.

Between school breaks, work trips, family time, and all the day-to-day chaos, staying motivated in your business (or even just with your planner) can feel… impossible. But here’s the truth:

You don’t have to be “on” all the time to make progress. You just need a plan that fits the season you’re in.

🌎 This Month? Life Was a LOT

In April, I had two full weeks away from home, both with limited internet access.

The first trip was for spring break—my husband and I took two of our teenagers to Kentucky, and I really wanted to disconnect and be present.

They’re growing up so fast, and I can feel the window of “just us” time closing. I didn’t want to spend that trip checking notifications or nagging about chores. I just wanted to be there—mom mode, not business mode. 💛

Then I was home for about 36 hours—just enough time to unpack, repack, and celebrate Easter—before heading off on a work trip to Sweden. Talk about a whirlwind! I did bring along some small crochet projects to work on during my travels, along with my Q3 Book Club book to start working on those resources. 😉 Stay tuned for more on that!

Between time zones and unreliable internet on personal devices, I had to shift from “working in the moment” to planning ahead with purpose.

💻 Staying Motivated (Even When You’re Gone)

Did my business goals change because I was traveling?
Nope.
But how I worked toward them definitely did.

Here’s what helped me stay on track without burning out or disappearing completely:

✅ 1. Batching Content Ahead of Time

I set aside blocks of time before my trip to pre-record videos, draft blog posts (like this one!), and prepare graphics. That way, I didn’t have to rely on spotty Wi-Fi or a tired brain while I was away.

📆 2. Pre-Scheduling Social Media

Thank goodness for schedulers! I used mine to keep my content consistent while I was gone, so my audience still felt connected, even when I wasn’t actively posting live. It was nice to be able to just check in on the comments and engage in the conversations versus having to think through the whole plan while traveling too.

🧠 3. Adjusting My Expectations (Not My Goals)

This was huge. I didn’t give up on my goals—I just shifted how I supported them. That meant letting go of some extras, delegating a few things (thanks to Carla, who hosted our weekly Planners in Progress session while I was on vacay), and focusing only on the must-dos.

💡 Here’s How YOU Can Stay Motivated During a Busy Season

If you’re feeling the pressure of a packed calendar, here are a few simple ways to stay focused without adding more stress:

Pick 3 priorities each week. Let go of the rest.
Use your planner to map out your energy, not just your time. Know when you’re at your best—and protect that space.
Batch and prep during the calm before the chaos. I did a lot of my prep work in the mornings, which made me extra grateful for my new morning routines!
Communicate with your people. Let your audience or team know when you’ll be off the grid.
Give yourself grace. Progress counts, even if it’s slower than usual.

🌼 Final Thoughts

Motivation doesn’t have to look like hustle.
Sometimes it looks like preparation.
Sometimes it looks like protecting your priorities.
And sometimes—it looks like taking a pause to be fully present in your real life.

Wherever you are right now, your goals still matter. Even if the path forward has a few detours. 💛

What’s one thing you’ve done to keep moving forward during a busy season?
Drop a comment and let’s encourage each other!