Do you feel like you’re slowly losing touch with the person you used to be as your business grows? We understand your company is important to you and that the workload seems endless sometimes but it is vital for you to carve out some time for yourself and your family. From leaving your marketing plan at the door when you get home to not discussing business strategies over the dinner table, everyone needs to distinguish a work-life balance.
Firstly, what exactly is a work-life balance? As those of you with families will know, the work doesn’t exactly stop when you return home with children to cook for, clean up after and entertain. But, let’s face it, it’s different. You need to create a clear distinction between your time as a boss and a time as a mother, father, wife or husband in order to truly decompress and relax after a long day. Modern technology, specifically smartphones, is making this a challenge because office emails can now ping all hours of the day and night, blurring the line between work and home. But here are some tips for how to create a decent work-life balance:
- Manage your time carefully – both at work and at home, time management is key. If you have a productive day in the office, you can not only leave on time but you will also feel satisfied when you get home and won’t feel obliged to tinker with your marketing plan during dinner. Working long hours regularly is also bad for your work-life balance because, cumulatively, these days will take their toll and make you less able to enjoy the time off when you actually do get some.
- Be aware of stressors – if you suffer from stress at work, you’re going to bring it home, and vice versa. Try to identify the stimulant of the stress and minimise its impact in your life. Particularly if the stressor is in the office, suffering from stress can have a detrimental impact across your work and home life and lead to your family resenting your business.
- Don’t work from home – of course, if your business is based in your home, this is unavoidable. But once you leave the office, whether in your house or otherwise, try to forget all about that pesky marketing plan or the new business strategies you’ve been researching. Give yourself some downtime by focusing your attention away from your work (and your mobile phone).
- Schedule downtime – if you run a successful business you’re probably very organised. We suggest you organise some downtime for yourself. If it’s in the diary, you have to do it, right? Many business strategies include ways to combat the endless problem of the work-life balance and one of the most effective ways in which companies promote this idea is through planned downtime. Whether it’s a weekly cinema trip with the kids, a five-a-side football team or meeting up for a glass of wine with friends, make sure these types of events are scattered throughout your weekly schedule.
- Look after yourself – long hours and stress burn you out. Build something into your routine which relaxes you and allows your body to unwind. Whether this is a session at the gym, a run before work, meditation or any other form of exercise, it’s important to keep your body moving and energised. Additionally, eating a well-balanced diet and giving your brain and body the right types of fuel is also essential. Don’t neglect yourself in lieu of your company’s success.
We know it’s easier said than done and we also know many business owners are juggling multiple responsibilities and roles in life. But for the sake of yourself, your family and your business, it is vital for you to, somehow, develop a work-life balance which allows you to get all that work done (we understand marketing plans and business strategies can become all-consuming) and still have time for yourself. At the end of the day, we only get one life so we know which side of the work-life balance we consider more important …