In this post, we’ll offer seven helpful tips that will allow you to
achieve a balanced life, so that you can run a successful business while still having a happy, healthy, and fulfilling personal life.
1. Follow a Consistent Work Schedule
As a business owner, it can be easy to work around the clock, especially if you
run a home business. Although it can be tempting to push yourself to exceed typical business hours, you should instead follow a reasonable schedule. Work a set number of hours each day, and then unplug so that you have time to yourself or to spend with your family. Overall, you should aim to be consistent and set boundaries in your professional life so that you don’t become overworked.
2. Adopt Healthy Habits
If you don’t get enough sleep, eat unbalanced meals, and avoid exercise, your job as a business owner could become more challenging. The
American Medical Women’s Association says that by making healthy choices, you can benefit your overall quality of life, while also avoiding long-term medical issues. Ultimately, by investing in your health, you’ll probably see improvements in your professional and personal lives!
3. Have an ‘Un-bookable’ Day
Selecting one day a week in which your scheduled is
blocked off gives you the chance to complete important tasks without the interruption of meetings and phone calls. Although you might think it will be detrimental to be away from colleagues or customers,
isolation can actually increase productivity. By taking time to be alone and focus on your to-do-list, you can avoid distractions or procrastinating on high priority tasks.
4. Outsource Tasks
You can’t work full-time, cook three meals a day, keep your house clean, take care of your children, and have a social life. There simply aren’t enough hours in a day! To avoid being overworked, choose necessary tasks, and outsource other jobs when possible. This can be done at work and home. For instance, if you hate cleaning, hire a housekeeper twice a month. This will provide you with more free time to put towards your business, or spend with your family. At work, delegate tasks to responsible employees, so that you’ll have more time to put towards more important issues.
5. Continually Evaluate Your Schedule
Even if you outsource tasks, you’ll still need to evaluate what’s working and what’s not. Maybe you subscribed to a meal service and realized you really enjoyed cooking, or your spouse now picks the kids up from school, but you miss those conversations on the way home. Life is constantly changing, and what worked a year ago might be different now. You should try to evaluate your schedule at least once per quarter, so that you can determine
how to be more productive while also enhancing your work/life balance.
6. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Women
Comparison is a silent killer for women. As a woman business owner, you might find yourself comparing your strengths, weaknesses, and needs to other entrepreneurs. For example, if you require eight hours of sleep per night to function, don’t compare yourself to woman who need six.
Instead of comparing yourself to other women, focus on your goals. When you’re kind to yourself, you’ll be surprised at how much more you can achieve!
7. Ask for Help
Many women find having a
support system of family and friends is very helpful. When running a business, don’t be afraid to turn to a business partner or colleague to pitch in when needed. In your personal life, ask your family, friends, or other parents for help when needed.
It’s important to note that creating a favorable work/life balance won’t happen overnight, and there’s no magic formula. It will differ for everyone, so give yourself some breathing room and grace while deciding what’s best for you!