We think everyone would agree that there aren’t enough hours in the day. From packed work schedules, to finding quality time to spend with the important people in our lives, to making sure we take care of our own well-being, finding balance can be a challenge. Therefore, we want to discuss a few things you can incorporate in your own life to help find better work-life balance.
Trust your network
In many instances, especially as a business owner, you tend to take on too much and spread yourself thin. However, in building a team you can rely on, and creating a supportive network of people, you will discover that you can’t (and shouldn’t) try to do everything alone.
Relying on and trusting others on your road to success is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it shows that you are an excellent leader, and that you understand the importance of delegating. This will not only help you better manage your personal and professional life but shows your team that you trust the people around you.
We spoke with Lissa Daub, Value Builder, Leadership Coach and Founder of The Strong Impact Academy, and member of BNI Premiere who added,
“People don’t start businesses to work 24/7. They start them to find freedom! Delegating not only helps on this road to freedom, but it also increases the value of your business. A business that isn’t solely dependent on the owner will be worth more when it’s time to sell.”
– Lissa Daub
Make time for yourself
We understand that this is easier said than done. We suggest you start small. Begin to build healthy habits that prioritize your well-being. Whether it be finding time for a 15-minute walk, reading a chapter of a book you’ve been meaning to read, or calling a friend to catch up, carving out small bits of your day dedicated to something you enjoy, can often make all the difference. Once you realize how much better you feel, you will start to seek out additional opportunities to incorporate time for yourself.
“Work-life balance isn’t something you find, it’s something that you do. It’s a verb, not a noun! Trying to find a perfect balance between home and work is an unachievable goal. Once you figure this out, it becomes a lot easier. Time is finite, and some days, you’ll spend more on work and others, you’ll spend more on life,” adds Lissa.
“Time is finite, and some days, you’ll spend more on work and others, you’ll spend more on life,”
– Lissa Daub
Create boundaries
With the ease of technology, it can be hard to separate work from your personal life. You have constant access to emails and messaging, which can make it difficult to ignore the never-ending needs of your business. However, it is critical to set healthy boundaries for yourself. While emergencies happen, and your hours of work may need to be extended in some cases, it is key to designate allocated work times. If someone emails you at 9pm, that doesn’t mean you are obligated to respond.
Be clear with clients and employees of the expectations you both have, to ensure everyone is on the same page. Remember, “No” is a complete sentence! While it may be difficult to say, your mental health will thank you.
With many people continuing to work from home, work-life separation boundaries are critical to maintaining positive mental health and reducing the possibility of burnout. Lissa often recommends creating start and end of workday rituals to her clients. That might be a “commute” in the form of a walk around the block at the start of the day and end of the day to create some separation between home and work.
Turn off technology
When your workday is complete, power off technology. As mentioned above, with the ease of phones, information will continue to trickle in after-hours. Those emails and messages will still be there in the morning. Dedicate the time you have outside of work to those around you, and to yourself. We all need time to recharge our batteries to be better leaders, co-workers, family, and friends. Again, start small and work your way to longer stretches of time without being plugged in.
We would love to hear how you find work-life balance in your own life. Find us on LinkedIn and share your tips with our members!
