The world of entrepreneurship looks different to each entrepreneur. For some of us running a business is our full-time job, and for others, we do it all while working full-time.
As entrepreneurs, many of us struggle with creating that perfect work-life balance. From managing daily tasks to meeting deadlines, the demands of entrepreneurship can often feel never-ending. We’re checking off that never-ending checklist to make sure we’re successful and everything flows the way it should.
But let's face it, many of our successful feats are achieved while being spouses, parents, partners, working full-time, sacrificing quality time with friends and family, constantly juggling and rearranging schedules, being students, continually learning to elevate our brand, burning the midnight oil, and so much more.
However, amidst the chaos of business ownership and life, it is crucial to prioritize creating a healthy work-life balance.
Let’s define work-life balance. I define work-life balance as that golden moment where you have established an equal balance between life and work without feeling overwhelmed, tired, or burned out. You can manage both while feeling at peace, happy, energized, and at your most creative and inspired. Everyone may have a different idea of what balance looks like to them, but one thing is certain, we all know we need it.
Why is work-life balance so important for business owners? The benefits are numerous and far-reaching. Maintaining a balance between work and personal life improves overall well-being and mental health; your overall quality of life improves. However, from a business perspective, maintaining balance can lead to increased performance and productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. When business owners take the time to invest in themselves and their personal lives, they are better equipped to lead their companies with clarity, focus, and energy.
So, how can business owners achieve work-life balance in a world that never sleeps? The key lies in setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and creating a schedule that allows for both work and leisure. Business owners can recharge and rejuvenate by establishing a routine that includes time for exercise, relaxation, and social activities, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
I constantly remind myself that running a business and being an entrepreneur is a marathon and not a sprint. Therefore, when I find that I need to establish a greater sense of balance, I rely on the following go-to’s:
UNLEASHING SUCCESS: HOW WORK-LIFE BALANCE CAN TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS
ASSESS AND RE-ESTABLISH WHAT WORKS BEST FOR ME
As you grow or the seasons of your business change, what once worked or currently is working, may no longer be optimal. Assess what is currently going on in your life and business, make changes where necessary, and be flexible with yourself. Establish multiple avenues for you to be successful.
FIGURE OUT HOW YOU BEST WORK
Take time to learn yourself and your business style. Work on creating a business lifestyle that aligns with your work and personal interests. Key things you may want to ask yourself include:
Do you work best during the morning, day or night?
Are there any days or times of day off-limits?
When are your peak times and low points?
Do you work best with a plan or under pressure?
Do you need a fixed routine or one of flexibility?
Do you prefer to have long work days followed by a work-free weekend or do you like to have shorter workdays with no days off?
The most important thing is that you are scheduling your days to suit your needs. Create time blocks in your calendar or make sure your calendars are synced so that your business schedule and personal schedule match.
DETERMINE WHY YOU ARE PROCRASTINATING
Some days we wake up and just don't feel like taking on certain tasks. Some days it is just harder to work than others. Who doesn't procrastinate? But take time to evaluate if there are certain tasks you find yourself constantly putting off or just dread doing. If you find there are certain tasks or projects that you are procrastinating on, take time to assess the why. Once you can determine the way you can find a way to get past it. Tips I take to avoid procrastinating:
To-do list. Write down what your goals to accomplish are for the day
Assess actions. Decide whether your actions are moving you forward or holding you back.
It's okay. If a bit of procrastinating is needed, know that it is okay to step away if you need to and come back to the task.
SET ATTAINABLE GOALS
As an entrepreneur, we often know what we want to achieve in our businesses. Break down your vision and set attainable goals. When you have a roadmap it makes it easier to focus on what needs to be done, and more realistic to achieve. When you prioritize what needs to be done it makes it that much more satisfying when you accomplish it.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE PRODUCTIVE NOT JUST BUSY
Have you ever been on go, nonstop constantly working, and by the end of the day felt like you didn't accomplish a single thing? Yea - happens to the best of us! This means you had a busy day, but it wasn't very productive. What's the difference you ask?
A busy day means that your day was occupied and filled with things you "needed to get done". Things that needed to get done at some point or that you simply wanted to do, but weren't necessarily priority. A productive day means that you took the time to list out and plan certain tasks, goals and activities that you wished to accomplish for the day, and achieved them, if not most of them. You made the most of your time and hit the targets you set for yourself to move yourself closer to where you want to be.
Simply being busy can make you feel drained and unaccomplished, so make sure you are being productive in the areas of your day so that you can feel accomplished, and have more energy and time for the things that matter most.
KNOWING WHEN TO DELEGATE
As business owners, we can't do it all. And the best way for us to thrive is to throw out that notion and accept assistance when we need it. If you don't then you will find yourself drained,
unenthused, and burned out. As your business continues to grow, outsourcing becomes essential when creating time for yourself and important tasks. Hiring a Virtual Assistant is perfect when you are looking to outsource as they're typically cheaper than onboarding a new employee and they have specialized skills that make them equipped to handle the specific tasks you may need assistance with. To learn more: HOW TO Maximize Your Potential: The Top 5 Reasons Business Owners and Entrepreneurs Should Delegate and Outsource for Success!
Some easy things you can consider outsourcing include:
time-consuming tasks
tasks you don't like
administrative tasks
IT or data entry
marketing
email management
proofreading, editing and revisions
STOP MULTITASKING
When they said "work smarter, not harder" they were not talking about multitasking. And let's be honest, multitasking is just not necessary - it slows you down in completing a single task, it's a time killer, and prevents you from retaining what you need to with regards to what you are trying to accomplish. Continually breaking your focus to do multiple things, you will continually need more time to rebuild your focus. Give your brain the time it needs to build the focus needed to work efficiently. Focusing on one thing at a time can be a great time saver. Here are five tips to help you remain focused:
have a structured to-do-list or scheduled calendar
switch off all notifications on your devices and avoid social media
get all supplies, water, and snacks that you need for your work session
close all tabs that might distract you
take regular short breaks
Remember, be present in the moment for each task by giving it the attention it deserves.
STAY ORGANIZED
Nothing disrupts balance more than chaos and disorganization. The more organized you are the more you can be at peace while you work through your day. Staying organized can be as easy as:
creating templates for emails, letters, posts, etc.
having files to place documents
writing appointments in your planner and calendar
PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
This to me is by far the most important tip when it comes to creating a greater sense of balance. You can't give others your best if you are not personally at your best. As business owners we have to remember that we can't be on go 100% of the time - it is important that we power down. Take time to step away and recharge. When making business plans and organizing your calendar, make sure you are also planning personal, non-business related things that you enjoy. Equally, if not more, prioritize yourself and your work by doing some of the following:
journaling
going to the gym
establishing a regular sleep pattern
eating healthy
going for walks
enjoying time with friends and family
resting (sometimes its okay to just do nothing, just be)
meditating
going to church
painting
watch movies or go out to eat
When you prioritize taking part in these things, you are able to come back to your work being more productive, with a greater sense of focus and clear direction for what you want to accomplish.
To summarize, when you take time to create that golden moment, that equilibrium between your business and personal life you can avoid burnout, achieve a greater sense of productivity, improve relationships, and enhance your overall well-being. Achieving work-life balance does not happen overnight and is an ongoing process of growth and reflection that requires you to prioritize and make a constant effort at bettering yourself and your business. Remember, finding the right balance is unique to each individual, so take the time to discover what works best for you.
I hope this post provides valuable insight on the importance of and how to begin establishing a more harmonious sense of work-life balance for yourself and your business. Follow my page for more great tips on how you can be successful.
Olivia Jade Kelly
Visions of Jade, LLC
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