If you run your own business, you don’t need me to tell you how crazy it is to manage everything all at once. Being your own boss is one of the best feelings in the world. There are a million different opportunities and directions you can take. But some days (or most days) it can be exhausting. We feel like we must reply to everyone straight away and be available 24/7. Sometimes the guilt can have us choosing to work over taking time for ourselves or with our families. This is why work-life balance is so important. And believe it or not, it actually is possible for you.
Why Work-Life Balance Is Essential for Entrepreneurs
If you’re an entrepreneur, it’s easy to neglect the life part of work-life balance. There are so many jobs that need doing and you’re the only one to do them. But by balancing your life, you can actually help your business grow while maintaining healthy boundaries. Avoiding burnout helps you create more sustainable long-term success. By creating balance, you also put yourself in a better headspace, giving you more clarity and leading to better decisions.
Starting a business usually has an end goal in mind such as more freedom or flexibility—so overworking yourself was never part of the plan. When we find balance, we naturally boost our energy levels, giving us more creativity and productivity for longer.
Signs You Might Be Out of Balance
The red flags are clear to see when you know what you’re looking for. If you constantly feel guilty when you’re not working, this can be a huge warning sign. This can not only affect your relationship with yourself but also with others, leading to resentment for spending time with them. Feeling like you must always be switched on is another red flag. When you sit down to eat your breakfast or dinner, you don’t need to be worrying about work.
One of the biggest signs is that you are feeling burnt out. Do you feel tired, snap at people for no reason, or uninspired? Then it’s time to fix your work-life balance. Ask yourself: “Am I working to live, or living to work?” The answer to this will give you huge insights.
Practical Tips to Restore Balance
- Set boundaries:
Have a clear end to your workday. This can be hard because it’s so easy to be working late into the night, but not only will you not have the energy to produce your best work, you’re also digging into your energy levels for the next day too. - Schedule breaks like meetings:
Add walk breaks, meals, and “you time” to your calendar. It’s so easy to power through the day without breaks, but this is what leads to an unhealthy work-life balance. By adding in your breaks, you won’t feel guilty taking them. - Use batching or time blocking:
Work smarter, not longer. Batch all jobs that are of a similar nature together so your mind doesn’t have to flip from one task to another. This saves your mental energy and allows you to get more done. - Outsource when possible:
You don’t have to do it all. This can be hard if you treat your business like your newborn baby. Without outsourcing to others, you’ll find it incredibly hard to grow and expand in the future. Start delegating tasks now and free up your time for the more important jobs. - Create a morning or evening routine:
This is something that’s just for you. It could be reading a book, taking a bath, or a walk. There’s no right routine—play around and see what makes you feel good and refreshed.
Your Ideal Balanced Day (Visualization)
Visualization is a great tool that can help us see the life we desire. “Imagine waking up after 8 hours of sleep, enjoying a calm morning coffee, getting focused work done before lunch, and spending your afternoon on a walk, reading, or catching up with loved ones — all without guilt.” This is totally possible. With intention and action, you still get your work done and allow yourself to live your life without guilt. Try journaling your own perfect day to see what you want to prioritize.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
Consistency is the key for any success in any area of life. Creating a work-life balance that has you feeling relaxed when it’s time to stop work and energized when it’s time to start doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by making intentional choices over long periods of time. Keep the life you want to live at the forefront of your mind and choose just one area that you can tweak this week to help you become more balanced.
Start small. Sometimes it’s easy to give in to the urge to change everything all at once, but this often isn’t sustainable. Remember that the best version of you doesn’t run on empty. Rest and recovery is all part of your new plan for success.