Reclaim Your Time, Find Your Peace

By Dr. Cherry, Quite Contrary #ceowhisperher

Greetings and Happy day! I hope you are super fantastic.

As an organizational psychologist, master coach, and entrepreneur, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others grow, succeed, and thrive. One of the most vital lessons I’ve learned—and now share with you—is the power of saying no, unplugging, and reclaiming your time. This is especially important for entrepreneurs, who often feel the weight of managing both business and personal life, while juggling countless demands.

Let me share a personal story with you. Since elementary school, I’ve known that I was blessed with ADHD and dyslexia. And I say "blessed" because, for me, these aren’t burdens; they are gifts. They give me a unique way of seeing the world, allowing me to tap into creativity and strength I might not otherwise have accessed. I lean into them fully, and they’ve helped me achieve so much—especially as an entrepreneur where out-of-the-box thinking is invaluable.

However, as a business owner, I’ve realized that the biggest distraction in my life isn’t ADHD or dyslexia—it’s my phone. The constant barrage of text messages, notifications, and requests pulls me in every direction. Clients, collaborators, and networks are always reaching out, needing “just a minute” of my time. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to feel obligated to respond immediately, and I realized I was allowing this to steal my peace. And then it hit me: when do I get to find peace?

Inspired by Auntie Maxine Waters, I made a firm decision: I am reclaiming my time. I refuse to be a slave to my phone or a prisoner to other people’s demands. As an entrepreneur, time is one of our most precious resources, and years ago, I turned off my ringer, stopped notifications on my phone and watch, and took control of my day. These devices now serve one purpose: to keep time, not to steal mine.

I eliminated all notifications because they are distractions. They pull me into places I don’t want to go, mentally and emotionally. And in that newfound silence, I discovered peace. Every day, I sit in silence, tuning into the whispers of my heart and disconnecting from the external noise.

As the only child my mother birthed, this silence is sacred. It’s where I find my center, my true voice. And I wonder how others maintain conversations with thousands of people each day—it would drain me, and I wouldn’t have the mental clarity I need to run my business and make key decisions.

Let me be clear—I love people. I’m passionate about motivating, inspiring, and connecting. But without firm boundaries, my day could easily belong to everyone else. And as entrepreneurs, our businesses thrive when we set boundaries that allow us to focus on what really matters—our vision, our goals, and our peace.

Boundaries are an act of love—love for yourself, your business, and others. They protect your peace, create space for your heart to speak, and give your soul time to heal and grow.

I’ve noticed that we often fill our days by retelling the same stories of pain and frustration, searching for someone to listen. But in doing so, we become stuck, addicted to that pain. Repeating the same old stories keeps us anchored in the past and distracts us from the future we’re building.

I refuse to stay stuck. Yes, I’ve known heartache. I miss my mother every day, but no amount of reliving her death will bring her back. Instead, I choose to honor her by living fully, being present in each moment, and building a life and business I’m proud of.

Every day, my 95-year-old aunt calls me, and that’s one call I always answer. It’s a boundary set with love because her voice brings me joy, gratitude, and wisdom. Beyond that, though, I maintain my boundaries fiercely, because I have to protect my peace—and as an entrepreneur, protecting your peace is key to longevity and success.

Each of us makes choices, whether in life or business. I encourage you to make those choices with care. Time is finite. You can’t talk to everyone, solve every problem, or carry every burden. Set your boundaries, protect your energy, and live in alignment with your purpose—both personally and professionally.

Give yourself permission to unplug. Say no when you need to. Shut off the noise. Love people, love your work, but love yourself first.

For entrepreneurs and anyone balancing multiple roles: Set clear goals and expectations. Don’t let the world pull you in every direction. You are not obligated to be everything to everyone. Be quiet sometimes. Listen to the whispers of your heart. Find the peace within. Say no when necessary, yes when it aligns with your purpose, and understand that you are here to live in your truth.

You can do anything, but not everything.

You don’t have to carry everyone’s burdens. Take time for yourself. Unplug, tune into your own show, and remember: you are the star. You deserve happiness, peace, and joy.

Let yourself be happy. You’ve got this.

With love and respect, please protect :)