Work-life balance is critical for entrepreneurs because being an entrepreneur is tough. You have a lot of highs and lows, and not a lot of other people to help you grow the business. If your life is out of balance, you won’t be able to excel in any area. Working longer is usually not more productive, but the temptation to overwork is always there. You must find a way to integrate the things that are important to you while growing your business.
Be mindful that work-life balance, or integration, is something that you must define for yourself. The things that are meaningful to you will not necessarily be meaningful to others. It’s your responsibility to oversee the balance in your life. Take control by setting clear goals and boundaries. Be sure to schedule your time for each area that is valuable to you and commit to it. Let others know where you stand by communicating with key stakeholders. Eliminate time wasters and take care of your health and wellbeing. The more you balance your life, the more your business will thrive.
Becoming a workaholic when beginning the process of entrepreneurship is inevitable. Most of us believe that we have to give up our lives outside of work for this new journey we are trying to map out. However, this is not the case. Below are five tips for entrepreneurs looking to maintain a social life while starting their own business!
Stop the guilt
Feeling guilt from doing things besides working is normal. You probably think “Well if I have all of this new free time, it has to be devoted to my new business if I want it to be successful.” While this thought process is common for most entrepreneurs, it isn’t necessarily a healthy thought process. Change your mindset, and you will learn how to better prioritize.
Give yourself some personal time
You can take time off without losing customers. Blocking out time to do something for yourself is essential for a healthy mindset, especially when holding the responsibility of being in charge of your own business and employees. The fear that your customers will leave due to the fact that you took personal time for yourself is a common fear, however, it is predominantly in your head. Self-care is the best care!
Say “no”
Saying “no” is not an easy task. Learning how to say “no” is entirely different than actually saying it. Saying “no” is rejecting obligation. Yes, you do have duties that require your time and focus. But, there are going to be times where you do not want to do something in regards to your business. It is imperative that you say “no” instead of being a “yes” waiting to happen. Stand up for yourself and your business.
Write SMART goals
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. These goals help you evaluate progress. Include your team in this process. Feedback from your coworkers and employees will be beneficial in the long run for the success of your business. Having a business plan for your company is extremely important, but do you have SMART goals planned out for yourself? Try writing them down and prioritize your personal goals to fit into your work schedule.
Be present
Being present in everything you do is one of the best ways to maintain a balance between your work life and your personal life. Multitasking is something that will occur often as you start your own business, and yes, it is a great skill to have! However, multitasking can also cause room for less-effective work. Focus on one thing at a time. If you are at your child’s recital or at a sports event, let the work call go to your voicemail. If it is something important, the person calling will leave a message. Don’t be afraid to let your phone call go to voicemail!
Now, starting a business of your own can be an intimidating process. Making sure that you maintain a positive work-life balance is essential to the success of your business, as you are the one in charge! The more of these tips you incorporate into your life and make into a habit, the more in-control you’ll feel over your work life and personal life.