Surviving Sleepless Nights and Still Moving Forward in Business

Finding Rhythm in the Chaos

Life with a newborn is no joke. The first week was a blur of sleepless nights, endless feedings, and that “new mom panic” that hits you when you realize this tiny human depends on you for everything. But slowly, we’ve started to find our rhythm.

The biggest game-changer? Creating a schedule.

At first, we were all trying to survive on Jett’s terms: Waking up every two to three hours, hoping for scraps of sleep in between, and running ourselves ragged. It didn’t take long to realize this wasn’t sustainable. So as a family, we divided the nights and days into shifts.

Here’s how we do it now:

• 9 PM – 3 AM: Me (yes, I’m officially on the “night shift,” so if you get late-night emails from me, now you know why 😅).

• 3 AM – 9 AM: My mom, who has been an absolute lifesaver.

• 9 AM – 3 PM: A shared block between my mom and me.

• 3 PM – 9 PM: My husband takes over.

Is it flawless? Absolutely not. There are interruptions, diaper blowouts, moments when Jett refuses to sleep, and times when the schedule goes completely sideways. But it’s a system that gives each of us rest, and that’s what makes it work.

Motherhood Meets Business

One of the most surprising things about this new season is how much I still want to work.

Before Jett was born, I wondered if I’d lose all motivation. But instead, I find myself craving those small windows of time where I can sit at my laptop, check in with clients, or delegate tasks to my team.

Sometimes Jett is asleep on my chest while I answer emails. Other times, I hand him to my mom or my husband so I can focus for an hour. It’s not the same as the deep, focused blocks I used to thrive on, but it still feels good. It feels like me.

Motherhood hasn’t taken away my passion for my business. It’s just reshaped it. And honestly, I think that’s a lesson every entrepreneur needs: your work doesn’t have to look the same in every season of life.

Interrupted Progress Is Still Progress

As a business owner, I used to thrive on deep focus. Hours blocked out for development projects, coaching calls, and client work. Now, those hours look more like:

• Sending one important email between feedings.

• Delegating a project instead of doing it myself.

• Chipping away at something in 15-minute bursts.

And here’s what I’ve realized: interrupted progress is still progress.

It’s tempting to think, “If I don’t have three hours to focus, it’s not worth starting.” But that’s not true. Momentum builds from the small steps just as much as the big ones.

So if you’re in a season where your time is divided , maybe you’re caring for a baby, moving into a new house, or just juggling too many responsibilities, give yourself grace. Your success isn’t defined by how many uninterrupted hours you work. It’s defined by your ability to keep moving forward, even in the interruptions.

A Question for You

I’ve been posting blogs like this every week for months now, and I’ll be honest: I get almost no views. And yet, I keep writing. Why? Because it helps me reflect, share my journey, and connect with the people who need to hear it most.

But now I want your opinion:

Should I keep this blog as a paid feature of ABJ Chapman Services, or make it free to the public?

I’ve added a poll, and your feedback will help me decide the best direction moving forward.

Should I keep this blog as a paid feature of ABJ Chapman Services, or make it free to the public?

• Keep it paid... It's only $10/month
• Make it free to the public

Looking Ahead

The days are long, the nights are longer, but the weeks are flying by. Jett is already growing and changing before my eyes, and I don’t want to miss a thing. At the same time, I’m proud to see that my business is still moving forward, even in this wild, sleep-deprived season.

Next week, I’ll be sharing more about how I’m leaning on my team during maternity leave, and the surprising ways delegation has freed me up to be both present with my family and engaged in my business.

Because at the end of the day, this journey isn’t about choosing one role over the other, it’s about finding a way to embrace them both.