Starting a service-based business while working a 9-5 job is not for the faint of heart. Between work meetings, deadlines, and the daily grind, you might wonder: How do I find time to actually work on my business?

Trust me, I get it. When I started my first business, I was juggling a full-time job, and it felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day. Fast forward eleven years, and that business is now my full-time job. Now, as I build my second service-based business, I’ve realized the importance of boundaries.

If you’re in the same boat—trying to balance your 9-5 while building your dream business—then this is for you. Here are three essential boundaries that will help you carve out more time and energy to work on your service-based business without burning out.

1. Set Clear Work Hours and Take Your Break Time

Let’s be real. Many of us work past 5 PM, answering emails late into the night or skipping our lunch breaks to catch up on tasks. But here’s the thing: If you don’t set clear work hours, your job will expand and consume all your time.

I used to work from 9 AM to 10 PM some days, telling myself I was being productive. But in reality, I was just exhausting myself. Now, I set a hard stop at 5 PM. Why? Because if I want to grow my second business, I need dedicated time for it.

How to Implement This:

• Decide your work hours and stick to them. If your job is a typical 9-5, commit to logging off at 5 PM.
  
• Take your break time. Instead of eating lunch at your desk, step away and use that time wisely. You can brainstorm ideas, take a quick business call, or even write content for your business.
  
• Use Parkinson’s Law to your advantage. This law states that work expands to fill the time available. If you give yourself 9-5 for your job, you’ll get everything done in that time. If you let it creep into your evening, you’ll take longer to finish tasks.
  

Pro tip: Create a workday shutdown routine. Before logging off, check your emails one last time, review your to-do list, and set priorities for the next day. This helps you mentally transition from employee mode to entrepreneur mode.

2. Use a Digital Timer to Stay Focused During Your 9-5

One of the biggest time-wasters at work? Distractions. Whether it’s chatting with colleagues, checking social media, or getting lost in endless emails, these distractions eat up valuable time that could be used more effectively.

How to Stay Focused:

• Use a digital timer. I personally love e.ggtimer.com. Set it for 15-30 minute blocks to stay focused on high-priority tasks.
  
• Batch similar tasks together. Instead of checking emails throughout the day, set specific times (e.g., 11 AM and 3 PM) to respond.
  
• Communicate your focus time. If you work in an office, let your colleagues know when you’re unavailable so you can concentrate.
  

By being more efficient during your work hours, you’ll finish tasks faster—leaving more energy and brainpower for your business.

3. Cut Out Energy-Draining Activities After Work

After a long workday, it’s tempting to scroll Instagram, binge Netflix, or mindlessly browse YouTube. But have you ever noticed how these activities don’t actually recharge you? Instead, they leave you feeling drained and unmotivated to work on your business.

How to Reclaim Your Energy:

• Identify your biggest time-wasters. Social media? TV? Phone calls? Be honest with yourself.
  
• Give your phone a bedtime. I put my phone on Do Not Disturb at 9:30 PM and charge it in another room. No distractions, no mindless scrolling.
  
• Replace draining activities with energy-boosting ones. Instead of watching TV after work, I go to the gym, take a walk, or listen to a business podcast. These activities 

If you want to grow your business, you must be intentional about how you spend your time after work. Instead of numbing out, do something that fuels you.

Recap: The 3 Boundaries You Need to Set

To create more time for your business while working a 9-5, implement these three boundaries:

1. Set clear work hours and take your breaks. Stop working past your set hours and use your break time wisely.
   

• Use a digital timer to stay focused during your workday. Cut out distractions so you refresh my mind and get me excited about working on my business.
  can finish work faster.
  

2. Stop engaging in energy-draining activities after work. Replace them with activities that refresh and inspire you.
   

These boundaries aren’t about doing more—they’re about working smarter so you can finally give your business the attention it deserves.

Final Thought: You Have What It Takes

Isaiah 40:29 says, He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that God will give you the strength to pursue your dream.

You don’t have to sacrifice your health, family, or well-being to build your business. With the right boundaries in place, you’ll have more time, energy, and focus to make your service-based business a success.

Now, take a deep breath, set those boundaries, and get to work on your dream! 

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If this blog post encouraged you, share it with a friend who’s also trying to build a business while working full-time. And if you need more motivation, connect with me on Instagram @chichiukomadu!

Let’s build our dream businesses—without burnout. 💛