It is no secret that it can be challenging to balance work and life as an entrepreneur. All too often, business owners forced to choose between family and work chose business. As a result, the growing imbalance is surmountable, and if left unchecked, can end the business and relationships.
How does Work-Life Imbalance Look?
Imbalance looks different for everyone. For some, it is coming home from work to motherly and wifely duties and feeling overwhelmed. For others, going to work after taking care of elderly parents, and you underperform due to exhaustion. The problem is never the actual work; it is the inability to manage the two domains fluently.
For business owners’ things are a little different. Firstly, you have control of your time. If you’re a business owner, this concept may be news to you but, it’s true. I hear you saying, but I’m working 15 hour days and if I don’t do it – it won’t get done. With certainty, I understand your frustration, but work/life balance is achievable.
Six Steps to Achieve Balance
- Create a business Operations plan
- Create a Home structure enforced by creating habits
- Set work hours, business space and stick to them
- Schedule time for family and fun
- Be consistent and flexible at the same time.
- Don’t forget that life is short “Memento Mori.”
Creating a practical business Operations Plan helps create a template for the business to run seamlessly with or without you. Consequently, if you create the plan and put the right people in the right places, business harmony is achieved.
In contrast, balancing home life is much more unstable. So, just like your business, you will need a plan. Begin with listing goals for your home to run smoothly. Create tasks for each goal, and develop habits for each task. For instance, if a goal is to have a clean room, a habit-forming task is to make your bed upon awakening.
When you create your business Operations Plan, you will set your actual business hours. If you work out of your home, set an area dedicated to working only. It is so important to keep work separate from your home and family life. Mixing the two will create conflict and cause resentment that will lead to imbalance.
On that note, schedule time for your family. Set aside a Saturday or Sunday that is exclusive to family. That means no emails, no phone calls, and no meetings, just family.
Be consistent; follow your set plan relentlessly. However, when life throws a monkey wrench in your schedule, all yourself the opportunity to bend a little. I don’t care how well you plan; things will happen that are out of your control. The trick is to stay calm, do what you must, and get back on track as soon as possible.
Most importantly, live every day as though it were your last. Don’t forget “Memento Mori,” the Latin term, you will die. Every day you wake up is another chance to achieve your goals and fulfill your purpose in life. In essence, all work and no play won’t get you any further when you die. So perhaps, if you live your life with the knowledge that the end is inevitable, you won’t forget to have fun.
What Causes Poor Work-Life Balance
First off, disorganization is the culprit for sleepless nights. Start with a solid foundation (a plan) and ends with a structure (a building). In essence, develop a template to follow and get organized. Take advantage of the many YouTube videos about organizing your home and workspace. Trust me; it will change your life.
Secondly, if you hate your job, that anger will certainly trickle into the homefront. It is time to either change jobs or change your role at your place of work or business. It will only get worse if you continue doing something you hate.
Third, it’s challenging to balance work-life if you don’t have adequate support. Petition your village for a little assistance, especially when kids are involved.
Lastly, anything that causes stress will throw you off-kilter. So, incorporate daily exercise and include a few minutes of meditation to keep you calm. There will be trying situations no matter how well you prepare so, be ready to tackle adversities with ease.
What happens When Work and Life Balance are Achieved?
There are several benefits to achieving work and life balance as an entrepreneur, but the most important is living a fulfilled life. The other benefits include,
- The ability to enjoy how you earn your money
- Spend quality, valuable time at home
- Get more done
- Decreased stress
- Improved health
- And an overall pleasant mood.
In conclusion, you can enjoy work-life harmony if you follow the few suggestions listed above.
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