Walking the line

How to find the perfect work-life balance

work-life balance

Running your own business has a whole bunch of perks, but you’re also probably familiar with some of its downsides. One of the main struggles entrepreneurs face is finding a healthy work-life balance that allows them to take their business to its full potential without sacrificing personal fulfillment and wellbeing outside of work. This Small Business Month, we want you to know that you can have it all, and we’re happy to point the way. Here are 5 ways to beat stress and make room for out-of-office adventure.

Delegate

We get it. Your business is your baby, and it isn’t always easy to let someone else take care of your baby. But finding people you can count on to get the job done right can help you free up time to not only centralize your focus on the most important aspects of your operations, but also to…you know…live your life. Sit down and take a good hard look at your to-dos, identify the ones you must absolutely do yourself, those you can hand off right away, and those you can delegate with a little bit of training. You’ll likely find that entrusting others with some of your workload will not only help you prevent burnout, it will also open your business up to valuable new ideas and the kind of creativity only collaboration can cultivate.

Work from anywhere

One of the best parts of being your own boss? You don’t have to request vacations days from anyone or pretend to be sick whenever you don’t feel like showing up to the office. If your business allows for remote work, there’s no better way to support a healthy work-life balance than to change your scenery. Traveling to a new destination is a treat for all your senses and can make work feel like play…even when it’s really just the same old work you do back home. Plus, it’ll likely force you to log out more than usual since you’ll want to explore your surroundings.

Put it on the schedule

Employees may have time cards to punch and bosses to answer to, but they also reap the benefits of a clear schedule that dictates exactly when they’re on and off the clock, which makes it easy for them to leave their work…at work. When it’s your business, trading your “work hat” for your “play hat” can get a little trickier. It makes sense. You’re personally invested in the prosperity of your business and that’s not something you can just turn off. A helpful practice might be setting a strict schedule for yourself, detailing when you tackle which tasks as well as when you sign off for lunch, or the day, or the weekend. You can even allocate time for specific activities. It may seem silly to have to schedule enjoyable moments, but those are also the first things busy people tend to push off, and they’re crucial for a sustainable lifestyle. 

Unplug

Taking “you” time and traveling to far-off destinations can only go so far if you are constantly on call. Set clear boundaries with employees and clients so that you’re not expected to respond at all hours of the day. If you need some help getting there, try taking on hobbies—like exercise, yoga, or meditation—that encourage you to put down your phone, unwind, and leave the stressors of the day behind. Remember that you aren’t a business. You’re a person who happens to run one. And just as important as tending to your business is supporting the wellbeing of the person behind it.

Say no

When a business is just starting out, it can be hard to pass up on financial opportunities. However, once you’re more established and profitable, you should get comfortable saying “no'' to proposals you’re less than enthusiastic about, ones that stretch you too thin or force you to work in conditions that aren’t ideal for you. Prioritize your mental health and empower your brand by turning down unappealing offers and avoiding unnecessarily stressful situations.