By making some smart changes, you can create a holiday season with work-life balance as a business owner.
Between year-end work deadlines, client demands, family celebrations, and maybe a few cheeky barbecues in the Kiwi summer sun, the overwhelm is real. But what if I told you that with a little intentionality, you can navigate the holidays without guilt or burnout?
This is your guide to making that happen. By defining non-negotiables, streamlining your work, setting boundaries, and letting go of guilt, you can embrace the festive season without sacrificing your business—or your sanity.
The Holiday Countdown In Aotearoa 
Ask anyone here in Aotearoa-New Zealand how they’re doing right now, and chances are they’ll say, “Counting down till Christmas!” 
It’s that time of year when we’re all rushing to meet deadlines, attend endless events, and somehow plan for the big break ahead.
Here’s the thing about living on this side of the world: we don’t just get Christmas. We also get our summer holidays—a glorious but chaotic double whammy. The result? A mad dash to the finish line in December. 
If you’re anything like past-Sandra, you might feel trapped in a cycle of guilt. Guilt because work demands so much of your time, leaving less for your family. And then guilt again because there’s always more work that needs doing. 
Sounds familiar?
The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way.
The “Double Win” Philosophy: Finding Work-Life Balance As A Business Owner 
A few years back, I decided enough was enough. I was tired of feeling guilty and frazzled during what should have been a joyful season. 
That’s when I leaned into what I now know as the Double Win Philosophy: finding work-life balance as a business owner so you can thrive in both areas. 
This isn’t about doing everything perfectly or magically finding more hours in the day. It’s about focusing on what truly matters—for you, your business, and your whānau—and making choices that align with your values.
Ready to start? Here are my four strategies to create a holiday season where both your business and personal life thrive.
4 Strategies For Finding Work-Life Balance As A Business Owner This Holiday Season 
1. Define Your Non-Negotiables 
If you’re looking for ways to find work-life balance as a business owner during the holiday season, start by asking yourself this question: What truly matters to you this month?
Is it being fully present at family gatherings? Taking time to recharge? Wrapping up a key work project?
Write those non-negotiables down 
and block them in your calendar before adding anything else. Protecting what’s most important allows you to let go of the less meaningful things without guilt.
My Pro Tip: Keep it simple. If you over-commit, you’ll only set yourself up for disappointment. It’s perfectly okay to say no to extra parties 
, tasks, or projects that don’t align with your priorities.
Remember: every “yes” is a “no” to something else. So choose wisely.
2. Work Smarter, Not Harder: A Word On Streamlining 
Now’s the time to focus on the tasks that truly move the needle in your business. What’s going to have the biggest impact on your work-life balance as a business owner? Delegate, automate, and prioritise like a pro.
One of my clients used to spend hours emailing back and forth with clients to book appointments for the new year. It was draining. We introduced an online booking system where clients could choose their own time slots based on her availability 
. This simple change saved her hours and improved the client experience.
So, what’s one repetitive or time-consuming task you can simplify or outsource? Think about:
- Delegating routine tasks to a team member.
- Automating your email responses with a holiday autoresponder.
- Using tools to manage bookings and inquiries.
3. Boundaries: The Magic Word For Sanity 
If you’re someone who struggles to say no, this one’s for you: No is not a dirty word.
To find work-life balance as a business owner, set clear expectations with your clients, team, and even your whānau (family) about your availability over the holiday season. Communicate these boundaries early to avoid last-minute surprises.
For example:
- If your business will close for the holidays, send an email now outlining your dates and any key deadlines.
- During your time off, resist the urge to check emails or respond to messages. You’ve set the boundary—now stick to it!
Anything urgent that comes up during your holiday? That’s on others to figure out. Your peace of mind is priceless. 
4. Let Go Of Guilt 
Here’s a truth bomb: balance isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things for the season you’re in.
To get work-life balance as a business owner, focus on “now”. Give yourself permission to be fully present wherever you are. If you’re with your family, put away your phone 
and really enjoy the moment. If you’re working, focus on the task at hand
without feeling guilty about what you’re not doing.
I’ll be honest—past-Sandra struggled with this. I’d sit at family gatherings, physically there but mentally buried in work. Looking back, I see how much I missed out on.
These days, I’m intentional about where my attention goes. And let me tell you, the quality of your presence matters far more than the quantity.
The Tool That Changed Everything: The Full Focus Planner 
I wouldn’t have mastered work-life balance as a business owner without the Full Focus Planner. It helped me prioritise, stay on track, and make room for what mattered most. In fact, I believe in it so much that I became a Full Focus Certified Pro
!
If you’ve never heard of it, the Full Focus Planner helps you set clear goals and stay aligned with them—especially during busy seasons like the holidays.
Here’s an inspiring example: When Megan Hyatt-Miller, now the CEO of Full Focus, adopted her boys 
, she also stepped into a major leadership role 
. I don’t need to explain she had her hands in her hair for a hot minute. She knew she couldn’t do it all, so she focused only on what truly mattered. The result? Her business thrived, and so did her family life.
This mindset inspired me, and it’s why I use the planner to this day. If you have been with the podcast from the very beginning (Thank you, if you have! 
), you’ve heard the story of how the Full Focus Planner became my saviour at a time I was ready to throw in the towel on my business. If you’re curious, check out my podcast episode about it here.
Ready to Create Your Best Holiday Season Yet?
By making small but intentional changes—defining non-negotiables, streamlining work, setting boundaries, and letting go of guilt—you can create a holiday season where both your business and personal life thrive.
Take 15 minutes today to plan your non-negotiables and identify one task to streamline. Start small, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it actually is to achieve work-life balance as a business owner during the holiday season.
Here’s to a guilt-free, joyful holiday season where you can be fully present and fully yourself.
Do You Want Some Help With This?
If finding work-life balance as a business owner during the holidays feels like a struggle, you know all too well, I hear you. Stepping out of the hustle and making space for what truly matters can feel impossible—but it doesn’t have to be. You get to choose a better way.
That’s why I created my free eBook, Mindset Mastery: Shift from Hustle to Scale. Inside, you’ll find practical strategies to help you: Let go of the pressure to do it all yourself. Build systems that save you time and energy. Cultivate a mindset that supports scaling your business without sacrificing your life.
The best part? You can start applying these strategies right now—even in the middle of the holiday madness.
Grab your free copy at sandrajulian.co/mindsetmastery.
Curious about the Full Focus system? 
I also offer workshops to help you and your team master this game-changing approach to productivity. Get in touch and let’s make it happen!
Until next time, keep building your business your way. Here’s to a joyful, guilt-free holiday season filled with balance and presence.
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