96. Period Phases & Productivity: A Business Woman's Guide to Working with Your Cycle
- Brittany Miller
- May 13
- 11 min read
Updated: Aug 30
As a female entrepreneur and busy mom, I’ve come to realize that understanding the natural rhythm of my body—the period phases—has been a total game changer in how I run my business and manage my energy. If you’ve ever felt like your motivation or productivity fluctuates unpredictably throughout the month, you’re not alone. What I didn’t know for the longest time is that these shifts aren’t random; they’re linked to the different phases of our menstrual cycle, each bringing unique energies and strengths.
In this guide, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about aligning business activities with the menstrual cycle phases. By embracing this cyclical approach, I’ve found a way to work smarter, not harder—boosting productivity while reducing burnout and frustration. Whether you’re a seasoned cycle tracker or new to the concept, this post will walk you through how each period phase can be leveraged to maximize your business success and personal well-being.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
The Four Period Phases: A Seasonal Approach to Your Menstrual Cycle
Why Society and Traditional Workplaces Don’t Support Female Cycles
Special Considerations: Pregnancy, Menopause, and Life’s Seasons
Frequently Asked Questions About Period Phases and Productivity
In Conclusion: Embrace Your Natural Rhythm for Sustainable Success
What Are Cyclical Business Activities?
Before diving into the phases, let's talk about the concept of cyclical business activities. Women are biologically designed differently from men, and this difference extends beyond just physical biology into how our motivation, energy, and mental focus ebb and flow over approximately a 28-day cycle. The traditional work environments and societal expectations, which are mostly built around male energy patterns, often don’t support this natural rhythm.
By recognizing and embracing these natural cycles, female entrepreneurs can tailor their business tasks to align with their internal energy. This approach helps avoid the feeling of constantly pushing uphill and instead allows work to flow more naturally and productively. I discovered this after a fantastic conversation on the Go Get Great podcast with Emma Kate York, a hormone cycle expert, which I highly recommend you check out if you want to dig deeper.
The Four Period Phases: A Seasonal Approach to Your Menstrual Cycle
Our menstrual cycle is traditionally divided into four phases. I prefer to think of them as seasons, which makes it easier to relate to the natural flow of energy throughout the month. Here’s a quick overview:
Follicular Phase (Spring): The time of new beginnings and fresh energy.
Ovulation Phase (Summer): Your most dynamic and social phase.
Luteal Phase (Fall): The productive, get-things-done phase.
Menstrual Phase (Winter): A time for rest, reflection, and renewal.
Each phase brings with it different motivations and energy levels, and by tuning into these, you can plan your business activities to match your body’s natural flow.
Follicular Phase (Spring): Planting Seeds and Starting New Projects
The follicular phase typically lasts about 7 to 8 days, though this can vary slightly from woman to woman. I like to call this the spring phase because it’s all about fresh energy, new ideas, and growth—much like the season itself.
This is the perfect time to start new projects, launch new services, or brainstorm fresh ideas. During this phase, my mind feels clear and energized, ready to tackle strategic, CEO-level tasks such as planning, researching, and mapping out big-picture goals.
For example, if I have a new course or lead magnet idea, this is when I begin fleshing out the concept and laying the groundwork. It's also a great time to reach out for collaborations, pitch guest blog features, or send out cold emails because the motivation to put yourself out there is strong.
If you don’t have new projects to start, spring is still great for revisiting and refreshing existing ones. I’ve used this phase to update courses, tweak my website, and refresh social media content. It’s like spring cleaning, but for your business.
In terms of non-marketing activities, this is when I might start implementing new systems or operations or begin the hiring process if I need new team members or collaborators. It’s the time to initiate change and set intentions for the coming weeks.
Ovulation Phase (Summer): Shine Bright and Connect
The ovulation phase, or the summer phase, is shorter—usually lasting 3 to 5 days—but it’s when you are your most dynamic, confident, and social self. Biologically, this is when women are most fertile, but from a business perspective, it’s prime time for visibility and connection.
This is my favourite phase (I wish it lasted longer!) for networking, public speaking, and launching promotions because I genuinely feel energized and charismatic. I schedule all my launches during this phase now because I know I’ll be motivated to promote consistently and authentically, showing up on social media, hosting live masterclasses and connecting with my audience.
Summer is also when I do a lot of content creation that requires being on camera or live, like photo shoots, video recordings, or podcast recordings. I just feel more comfortable and vibrant in my body during this time, which translates into better content and more authentic communication.
Communication is key in this phase. Whether it’s new client calls, interviews, or meetings with collaborators, I try to schedule as many conversations as possible during these days because my confidence is at its peak. Plus, I find that I’m less likely to experience imposter syndrome during my ovular phase, which helps me take bold steps outside my comfort zone.
On the flip side, one challenge I’ve noticed in this phase is that I get overly excited and make plans—both personally and professionally—without considering that my energy will dip in the following weeks. For example, I might agree to social plans or networking events weeks in advance while in summer mode, but when those days come around, I’m in a completely different phase and just don’t want to go.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and being aware of this tendency has greatly reduced it's reoccurrance in my calendar. I'm more mindful of when I events and activities happen and check my calendar to see what phase I'll be in before accepting or declining.
Luteal Phase (Fall): The Get-Stuff-Done Phase
Following the energetic summer, the luteal phase (or fall phase) is the longest, usually around 10 days or more. This phase is all about productivity, crossing things off your to-do list, and wrapping up projects.
I love this phase because it’s the perfect time to stay home and complete tasks that require focus and attention to detail. For me, that means writing captions, designing graphics, building lead magnets, and scheduling content for the upcoming month.
Fall is where I do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t necessarily feel glamorous but is essential for business success. This includes things like email marketing, data entry, reviewing analytics, and system integrations (think Zapier automations or ManyChat automations). I also tackle accounting and client deliverables during this phase.
One important tip I’ve learned is to batch content during fall. By preparing a month’s worth of posts, emails, and graphics in advance, I can sustain my social media presence without burning out during the less energetic phases.
In terms of operations, fall is when I tweak and adjust systems based on what I learned earlier in the cycle. If I hired someone in spring and interviewed them in summer, fall is the time for onboarding and training. I also use this phase for client work, trying to schedule as much of it as possible here because I feel motivated to finish projects.
However, a challenge of the fall phase is that no matter how much I get done, there’s always more on the to-do list. It’s easy to feel like you’re never “finished,” but I remind myself that progress is what matters, not perfection and in a short period of time I'll have the "get $hit done" energy again.
Menstrual Phase (Winter): Rest, Reflect, and Renew
The menstrual phase, or winter phase, is when you menstruate—typically lasting 3 to 5 days. This is the time to slow down, rest, and reflect. I know this can be tough because society often tells us that rest is laziness or unproductive, but it’s absolutely essential.
I’ve learned to embrace this phase as a time to step back from client meetings and heavy work. Instead, I focus on journaling, meditation, and strategic reflection. This is when I review what went well in the previous cycle, what didn’t, and what I want to adjust moving forward.
Winter is a great time for launch debriefs, business audits, and personal check-ins or self care. It’s a moment to ask yourself:
Are you on track with your goals?
What needs to shift?
What projects or clients no longer serve you?
This inward focus helps me gain clarity and set intentions for the next cycle.
From an operations perspective, winter is when I evaluate new processes or team members and decide if further training or adjustments are needed. It’s also the time to nurture creativity and allow your body and mind to recuperate. Build self-care into your calendar during this phase. For me this could be massages, days without meetings for reading at home, getting my hair or nails done, etc.
One of the biggest mistakes I see women make during this phase is pushing through without resting, which leads to burnout, illness, and decreased productivity in the long run. Trust me, I’ve been there. Rest is not optional; it’s a vital part of the cycle that fuels your creativity and energy for the next phases.
Challenges I’ve Faced in Each Period Phase
While aligning my business with my period phases has been transformational, it hasn’t been without challenges. Here are some of the struggles I’ve encountered and how I’m learning to navigate them:
Spring (Follicular Phase): Starting too many projects is a big one. The excitement and energy make it tempting to dive into everything at once, but this can lead to overwhelm and unfinished work. I’m working on focusing my energy on fewer projects and seeing them through before starting new ones.
Summer (Ovulation Phase): Overcommitting socially and professionally because I feel so energized. I now try to make plans during my lower-energy phases so I can fully enjoy them when my energy is high.
Fall (Luteal Phase): Feeling like I’ll never finish my to-do list. I’ve learned to set realistic expectations and celebrate progress rather than perfection.
Winter (Menstrual Phase): Struggling to rest and slow down. I’m still working on giving myself permission to fully embrace this phase without guilt.
Why Society and Traditional Workplaces Don’t Support Female Cycles
One of the reasons women struggle to align with their cycles in business is that our work culture is largely designed around male energy rhythms. Men operate on a 24-hour cycle, with bursts of energy throughout the day, while women’s energy cycles span about 28 days. This fundamental difference means that the traditional 9-to-5 workday and rigid scheduling don’t support the natural ebb and flow of female productivity.
For example, men’s “spring” energy corresponds to morning hours, “summer” to midday socializing, “fall” to afternoon productivity, and “winter” to evening rest. Women, however, cycle through these energies over weeks, not hours, which requires a different approach to planning and productivity.
This disconnect has led to many women feeling out of sync and exhausted trying to fit into a system that doesn’t honor their biology. Schools, workplaces, and societal norms have long ignored these differences, which is why awareness and intentional change are so important.
Special Considerations: Pregnancy, Menopause, and Life’s Seasons
Life stages like pregnancy and menopause can alter or pause the menstrual cycle, making it harder to follow the cyclical business model exactly. For example, I’m currently pregnant, and my cycle is on pause, so I’m tuning into the lunar cycle instead to guide my energy and planning.
If you'd like to follow lunar phases, this is how they connect to period phases:
Follicular Phase (Spring) → Waxing Moon phase
Ovulation Phase (Summer) → Full Moon phase
Luteal Phase (Fall) → Waning Moon phase
Menstrual Phase (Winter) → New Moon phase
During these times, it’s essential to give yourself grace and adjust expectations. Your body is going through significant changes, and your productivity rhythms may shift accordingly. The key is to listen to your body and honour what you need.
If you're going through menopause your cycle may be erradic and hard to follow as well. Following the lunar cycle is a great alternative in this situation as well.
Tips for Implementing a Cyclical Approach to Your Business
Here are some practical tips I use to work with my period phases rather than against them:
Track Your Cycle: Use an app or journal to note your energy levels, mood, and productivity throughout the month. Awareness is the first step. I read a fantastic book called In the Flow which helped me understand and start syncing my business with my period phases.
Plan According to Your Phases: Schedule brainstorming and new projects in spring, networking and launches in summer, content creation and admin in fall, and rest and reflection in winter.
Batch Your Work: Especially for content creation, batch tasks during your high-energy and get shit done phases to sustain productivity through lower-energy times.
Communicate Your Needs: If you work with a team or clients, share your cyclical approach so they understand your schedule and can support you.
Be Flexible and Forgiving: Life happens, and not every month will look perfect. Adjust as needed and prioritize self-care.
Create CEO Days and Freedom Fridays: I dedicate Mondays to working on my business (this could be strategic planning, CEO work, content creation etc. depending on what phase I'm in), and Fridays to be 'Freedom Fridays' which may include free time or light work, aligning with my cycles.
Make Plans During Your Low-Energy Phases: Make social or networking plans during fall or winter so they happen in your summer phase so you can enjoy them fully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Period Phases and Productivity
Q: Can men benefit from understanding cyclical business activities?
A: Absolutely! While men don’t experience menstrual cycles, understanding the concept of energy rhythms can improve empathy and collaboration with female colleagues. Plus, men have their own daily energy cycles that can be optimized.
Q: What if I have an irregular cycle or don’t menstruate?
A: If your cycle is irregular or you’re in life stages like pregnancy or menopause, you can still observe your energy patterns and align tasks accordingly. Some women find syncing with the lunar cycle helpful as an alternative guide.
Q: How do I handle client work that requires consistent attention throughout the month?
A: While batching client work during your high-energy phases is ideal, real life often requires flexibility. Give yourself grace and try to do the bulk of client-facing tasks when you feel most productive, but know that some work will happen across all phases.
Q: How can I introduce this concept to my team or workplace?
A: Start by sharing resources and educating your team about cyclical productivity. Encourage flexible scheduling where possible and model the benefits through your own work habits.
In Conclusion: Embrace Your Natural Rhythm for Sustainable Success
Understanding and working with your period phases isn’t just about biology—it’s about redefining what productivity means for women. By aligning your business activities with your natural energy and motivation cycles, you can create a sustainable, joyful, and effective way to grow your business.
It’s a slow process, and it takes time to rewire habits ingrained by a society that wasn’t designed for female rhythms. But with awareness, intention, and grace, you can start to experience less burnout, more creativity, and greater alignment between your life and work.
If you take away one thing from this post, let it be this: listen to your body, honour your unique cycle, and plan your business around your natural strengths. The results will speak for themselves.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. If you want to learn more or share your experiences, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @brittanymillersocials. Together, we can create a new narrative for women in business—one that embraces the power of our natural cycles.
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0:00 Intro
1:30 What are cyclical business activities?
3:05 4 stages to menstural cycle
5:00 Follicular phase (spring)
10:30 Ovulation phase (summer)
15:50 Luteal phase (fall)
23:30 Menstrual phase (winter)
28:30 Struggles in each phase
33:20 Women not supported in the workplace
29:30 Pregnancy & your business activities
41:00 Wrap up
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