33 Rituals to Drive Results, wondering what this is about? Well, there’s a certain kind of magic that happens when a woman decides to stop apologizing for how she works and starts owning what actually moves her forward.
Not the curated morning routine. Not the aesthetic desk setup. Not the habits that look good on Instagram but fall apart by Tuesday.
We’re talking about the real stuff—the rituals that create clarity in chaos, the boundaries that protect your energy, the small shifts that compound into something unstoppable.
We asked 33 women founders one question: What’s the ONE small habit or ritual you’re owning right now to light up your year?
Their answers prove something powerful: Success isn’t built on grand gestures. It’s built on intentional, imperfect, everyday choices.
Part 1: Redefining Productivity
When “Less Time Working” Means More Getting Done
The hustle culture lie says more hours equals more success. These founders are calling BS—and their businesses are thriving because of it.
Krystal Avalos, Mundo Resources
“Last year, I realized I was equating productivity with simply sitting in front of my computer… whether or not I was actually moving the needle. This year, I’m committing to only being on my computer to complete the list of tasks I’ve intentionally given myself. If that takes three hours, great. It was a short day, and I don’t need to feel guilty about it.
One of the biggest personal reasons I became an entrepreneur was to gain time autonomy. But when you work for yourself, balance feels very hard to accomplish. It’s easy to slip into unproductive habits and call them ‘work.’ This new ritual removes the idea that productivity is about hours logged and reminds me to focus on impact, intention, and giving myself permission to step away when the work is done.”
Tina Sue, Business Wealth Advisory
“I am committed to WRITING down my rocks for the day—3-4 things that I must do—in order of importance. I teach this to my clients but have not been consistent with it. When I do it, I am soooo efficient for the day/week. When I don’t, I find myself avoiding the un-fun things even though they are more important. When I write them down, they get done early. It’s really a game changer for productivity and growth.”
Sarah Gemmell, SarahJeanCo.
“I have thrown ‘block scheduling’ out the window and instead chose just ONE hat to wear in my business, focus there first and then anything else is simply extra. Some days are marketing, client support, tech, new offers, content etc etc. It has been helping my ADHD sooo much!! Much more dopamine flowing.”
Urszula Bosco, Amor 27
“I started setting my alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual and now I wake up at 6:45 am. As soon as I’m up, I start working and I started doing this because I realized that the window between 7 am and 9 am is when I’m the most productive and I get a lot done.”
Adrienne Burgos, CEA Staffing
“Take your to-do list and shove it in… the garbage. Instead, make a ‘What I ACCOMPLISHED today’ list. Shift your mindset to build yourself up for what you HAVE done, not tear yourself down over what you haven’t. Progress over pressure!”
Part 2: The Pause That Powers Everything
Leading With Intention, Not Reaction
The most effective leaders aren’t the ones who move fastest—they’re the ones who pause long enough to move in the right direction. These founders have made strategic stillness their secret weapon.
Dr. Natasha Guess, Guess Compliance Consulting LLC
“Building in a brief daily pause to review priorities before diving into work has become one of the most impactful habits in my leadership practice. Instead of starting the day in reaction mode, I take a few intentional minutes to step back and assess what truly matters. This small pause helps me align my time and energy with the decisions that actually move things forward, rather than responding to everything that feels urgent.
As a leader, this habit has changed how I show up for my work and for others. I am more focused, more thoughtful, and less rushed in my decision making. It allows me to lead with clarity rather than urgency and to be more present in conversations and problem solving. Over time, this simple practice has helped create a steadier pace and a more sustainable way of working. It is a reminder that leadership does not require constant motion, but intentional direction.”
Katherine Li, Pulse FX Corp
“My small ritual this year is reminding myself to zoom out. This has helped me stay present instead of constantly thinking too far ahead. I’m a planner by nature, both in my personal life and in operations at work, and I can easily get caught up in daily tasks. When that happens, things can feel overwhelming very quickly. Pausing to see things from a wider lens helps me stay present, grounded, and focused on what truly matters.”
Dana Bahr, Dana’s Desk
“Blocking one weekly ‘quiet CEO hour’ with no output required. It’s a small but intentional ritual where I review what’s actually working, what’s draining energy, and what deserves to be simplified or stopped. No content creation. No inbox. Just space to think clearly. I’m hoping to gain more calm, better decisions, and momentum that feels sustainable, not rushed. It’s my way of showing up for myself as a leader without demanding constant productivity.”
Gwendolyn Young, YOUR VIRTUAL ADMIN EXPERT LLC
“So stoked about my new CEO Schedule. I’ve added a new CEO Block → Strategic Thinking (No Output Required) where I’m thinking deeply about the business, relationship building, journaling, or simply doing nothing but looking out the window. It’s been a game changer to know there is a dedicated hour to just being and not producing or performing.”
Krista Cavanaugh, Spoleto Designs
“I’ve adopted a daily ritual of quiet calibration. Each morning, I spend ten minutes on my vibration plate asking myself one clarifying question: What actually deserves my energy today? The discipline isn’t in deciding—it’s in pausing long enough to make sure I’m leading the day, not chasing it.”
Jessica Lynn Silva, Jessica Lynn Law & Jessica Lynn Coaching
“Inspired by my dear friend Kelly Roach and her incredible Miracle Hour, I’m committing to (in addition) a daily alignment hour—one intentional hour each day to reconnect with what lights me up, is my safe space, my purpose, refine my priorities where necessary, and intentionally take one courageous action outside the comfort zone towards the life and legacy I desire because small, consistent alignment and action changes everything.”
Part 3: Boundaries as a Business Strategy
Protecting Your Time, Energy & Sanity
These founders have learned that saying “no” isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. Their boundaries aren’t walls; they’re the foundation everything else is built on.
Alison Kero, From Clutter to Confidence
“The word of this year for me is ‘boundaries.’ Because I cannot reach my goals when I let myself and others waste my time and energy.”
Morgan Phelps, Sage Creatives
“Prioritizing taking care of myself everyday by focusing on where my time goes. Allowing myself the time to eat every meal, workout, journal, work on growing my business, etc. I am being much more protective of my time so that I can be a better wife, mom and business owner.”
Gaby Rodríguez, By Gaby Rod
“The new ritual I’m committing to is coming home on time and having dinner with my family. For a long time, building my business meant long days, late nights, and always pushing ‘a little more.’ This year, I’m choosing something different. I’m setting clearer boundaries with my time so I can close my laptop, sit at the table, talk, laugh, and be present. That simple moment grounds me, reminds me why I do what I do, and actually makes me a better founder—more focused, more creative, and more at peace.”
Anne Vandycke, Anne Vandycke
“This year I’m working on changing a habit that’s been holding me back: going to bed too late. My goal is simple and realistic—go to sleep before midnight so I can wake up earlier and start my mornings with more calm. To make it easier, I’m setting one boundary: no phone after 11pm. No scrolling, no noise, just a clean ending to the day. It matters to me because I want more energy, less stress, and to show up for myself more consistently. Not perfect, just progress.”
Part 4: Winning the War on Distraction
Reclaiming Your Attention in a Noisy World
In an age of infinite scrolling, these founders are choosing focus over FOMO. They’re not anti-technology—they’re pro-intention.
Hillary Lyons, Syntropy
“I’m barring myself from checking emails or social media (AT ALL) until after lunch. I do my best work in the mornings, and when I start my day doom scrolling, I hinder myself. I plan to journal over coffee, then dive right into my deep, creative work so I can start my day feeling clear, light, and empowered.”
Pam Marrone, Invasive Species Corporation
“Limiting my social media doomscrolling to 15 minutes per day.”
Aila Frishman, Cailence
“Instead of scrolling on social for 15 minutes, I’m using that time to learn a new AI skill or tool.”
Faye Zandi, Zandi Land Products
“In 2026, I’m owning one simple rule that’s changed everything: I produce more than I consume. Before emails, social media, news, or anyone else’s priorities, I create something that moves my life forward—work, movement, clarity, progress. It’s my way of choosing discipline over distraction and proving to myself, daily, that I’m serious about the life I’m building. It keeps me grounded, focused, and in integrity with the woman I want to be.”
Part 5: Visibility Without Apology
Showing Up, Speaking Up & Being Seen
Playing small doesn’t serve anyone—especially not you. These founders are done waiting for permission and are stepping into the spotlight on their own terms.
Ciara Lyons, Her Black Wellness By Ciara
“Showing up. I have been playing small around building my business and getting visible, but I decided in 2026 that I am going to ‘show up and show out’ and make my business known by pitching myself, asking for the collab and talking about my passion. Women’s health and health equity.”
Desirée Arcisz, Desiree Esq
“Being specific about what I want to do and not playing small about it or my business anymore so I can make real connections and put out what I do and who I am to the world and make a real income!”
Eva Assogba, Mylovemapllc
“Showing up on video once a week. Not to be polished, but to be present. Letting myself be seen without waiting for perfect has been quietly changing everything.”
Amy Irwin, AIW Business Solutions
“I am going to post on LinkedIn 3 days a week. Trust is built through visibility and since my Ideal Client is present on LinkedIn, I am going to create more thoughtful posts to make each week. If I am more visible on LinkedIn, I believe my IC will start to recognize me and get to know more about my business and what I can do to help them, but only if I take the time to make my posts meaningful. I’m going to put in that effort. I want to make sure each post reflects my voice and my business model so that I can start building that trust.”
Eva Romanova, Resultreach Consulting
“I’m committed to regularly sharing my observations and insights from my work and environment on LinkedIn. Rather than polished case studies, I will share real observations and insights. I believe this will help me maintain a visible presence and consistently strengthen my personal brand.”
Susan Dabbar, PROVOKEDmagazine
“It’s simple but not small… I’m committing to making one new connection every day with a fabulous woman founder, market maker, creator, or coach. One conversation. One introduction. One thoughtful exchange. It matters because visibility doesn’t happen in isolation—and neither does momentum. At this stage of life, I’m done waiting to be ‘discovered.’ I want to be in active dialogue with women who are building, thinking, and shaping what comes next. So this is my move. One woman a day. All year.”
Part 6: Owning Your Morning
How You Start Shapes Everything
The first hours of the day set the tone for everything that follows. These founders are reclaiming their mornings—not with rigid routines, but with intentional choices.
Bria Johnson, I.C.O.N.I.C With Style
“Lately, I’m owning my morning again. I’ve been obsessed with Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning for years, but this year my goal is simple: show up for it about 70% of the time—no perfection required. Just consistency. As a founder and Chief Style Strategist, my days can get long and jam-packed, and in the past I’d sacrifice my mornings to ‘create more time.’ This year, I’m done with that. When I pour into myself first, I’m healthier in my body and spirit and I show up more present, grounded, and intentional for my clients too.”
Part 7: Learning & Growth on Purpose
Feeding the Mind, Fueling the Future
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. These founders are carving out intentional space to learn, create, and expand—not because they have to, but because they know it makes everything else better.
Michelle Collier, Collier Connects, LLC
“I’ve committed to re-reading at least one non-fiction book each month. I’ve always loved learning, and over the last two years, I’ve read or listened to over 150 new books. It’s been wonderful, but I’ve been doing it in a way that makes me feel like I was making up for lost time and not really giving myself the space to reflect and truly take it all in. This year, I want to be more intentional and revisit one book each month (while still allowing myself the reward of one new book each month). It’s time to slow back down and reconnect.”
Nicole Hagedorn, Davis + Harper Brand Strategy and Creative
“I’m taking an abstract painting class this year. No grade like college. No worry about perfection. Just pure expression, learning, and enjoying the art of curiosity. It’s a great way to subconsciously work through every day problem-solving and keep myself in a great state of flow.”
The Common Thread in 33 Rituals to Drive Results
Thirty-three founders. Thirty-three different rituals. But look closer and you’ll see the same truth woven through every answer:
The women who are winning aren’t doing more. They’re doing what matters—with intention.
They’re pausing before they push. They’re protecting their energy like the asset it is. They’re showing up imperfectly and consistently. They’re choosing depth over breadth, presence over performance, and progress over perfection.
Not one of these rituals requires a complete life overhaul. Not one demands perfection. They’re small. They’re doable. And they’re powerful precisely because they’re sustainable.
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