If you’ve got a business, then chances are you have trouble achieving balance between that business and your personal life. We’ve all been there. Every entrepreneur knows just how easy it is to let your business take over your entire life. Because there’s always more on your to-do list than any human can get done.
But if you want to be both successful and happy as an entrepreneur, you have to find a way to achieve a bit of that elusive balance. To help you on your quest, I recently solicited tips from more than 100 experts on productivity, time management, business/life balance, mindset and more. Below are a few more I thought were worth sharing. Enjoy!
Take a good look at how you are spending your time.
“Determine what your key strengths, what are the tasks that you need to focus on? What are you really good at? What drew you to the business? The next step is to look at what work you can delegate to other people. When you first start a business you may need to do everything, but as you grow, you need to keep asking yourself what your role should be, and what type of talent do you need to hire to support you to ensure continued growth and success.”
Nancy Giere – NGlassworks, LLC http://www.nglassworks.com/
Create balance when you work with your spouse.
“My husband and I both work from home so work life balance is even more challenging. We believe that taking time away from work both refreshes and reinvigorates. We return with fresh ideas, more engagement and renewed enthusiasm.
We take 20 minute walks both in the morning and afternoon and discuss work and strategies. At night and weekends, we don't answer business e-mails or phone calls. During dinner, we leave work behind make a point not to discuss business. All business materials – including mail, bills and industry magazines, remain in the office, not our personal living space.”
Pat Chiappa, Marketing Manager – Spiritus Financial Planning www.spiritusfinancial.com
Balance does not mean equal.
“In balance in chemistry is when the yin and yang of the reaction are in equilibrium. And equilibrium means that the inputs and outputs are relatively stable. And the trick to equilibrium is for the heat generated ( i.e. the aggravation, stress, pain, ambiguity, constraints ) to be dissipated before the pressure in the vessel causes an explosion. So – exercise and remember that "sic transit gloria mundi." Which is latin for "nobody gets out of this mess alive".”
Neil Senturia – There For You Baby www.imthereforyoubaby.com
Put yourself on a reasonable schedule and stick to it…
“Unless there's a dire emergency killing yourself with an 80-hour work week is a fast way to leave your business to someone else.”
Judy Woodward Bates – The Barganomics Lady www.bargainomics.com
Regular downtime = maximum efficiency and happiness
“* 1 hour of down-time per day – meaning when awake, and the cell phone and email etc. are not only off, they are not even in the room with you.
* 1 day of down-time per week – same as above.
These two rules give you the energy you need to work at maximum efficiency and happiness the rest of the time!”
Alexander Seinfeld, Executive Director – JSL, Inc. www.jsli.org
Schedule designated time for social networking…
“My tip to other entrepreneurs would be to do things they really enjoy like social networking for business, etc. on a designated lunch hour and at the end of the day. This is important because if you don't stick to a designated schedule for these enjoyable activities, they will suck valuable time from your business day.”
Monette – Shopping 4 info http://www.shopping4info.com
Got thoughts on these tips, or more tips to share? Please do leave a comment…
[...] I recently submitted a work/life balance tip to Stacy Karacostas editor of The Unchained Entrepreneur. Take a look at my tip and others on this blog post: Even More Tips from the Experts to Help Overworked Entrepreneurs Get Better Work/Life Balance. Read here. [...]