Oct 08, 2015 Written by Guest
I had outlined this blog and began to fill in the content, when both of my kids ran in my office and ask if we could all go outside to throw the ball or skate and enjoy the beautiful evening. The irony of the timing, made me really stop and think what was the most important use of my time at that moment.
I had finished my client work, it was a beautiful day, and the requests to hang out with mom are becoming less and less. The request to go outside and 'play' came just as I began writing about the balancing act of growing a business while nurturing a family. So here I am, a day later and just now writing my blog.
I know many entrepreneurs struggle with how to make time for family or a partner while giving it all to a growing your business. Deciding where to give your attention can be a real struggle and a stress. It will never be perfect, but here are a few ways to find a little more balance.
I had finished my client work, it was a beautiful day, and the requests to hang out with mom are becoming less and less. The request to go outside and 'play' came just as I began writing about the balancing act of growing a business while nurturing a family. So here I am, a day later and just now writing my blog.
I know many entrepreneurs struggle with how to make time for family or a partner while giving it all to a growing your business. Deciding where to give your attention can be a real struggle and a stress. It will never be perfect, but here are a few ways to find a little more balance.
1. Prioritize
Yesterday, kids were a priority over the office. Sometimes it works the other way when I'm on a deadline. I find it easier if I prioritize my work and home activities. Deadlines are a priority, special family events are a priority, cleaning the house, is good, but not a priority. Writing a personal blog, good, but not the most important priority.
If you prioritize your work and life, when time becomes a crunch you can start dropping the least important activities. It's not what we want to do, but it is what we sometimes must do.
Also, some activities can be moved to a better time. For example, I really need to work out, it keeps my stress level low and my brain alert. So, I am up before 6:00 during the week and up before 5:00 on the weekends to workout. This is pretty much the only time I have where work and family are not looking for me and needing my attention.
2. Learn to say no
Busy people get ask to do everything. You know why? They get things done. There are so many times I am involved in an activity for my kids or myself and I cringe at how inefficient things are being run. I so badly want to fix the issue, make it more productive and better communicate what needs to take place. But I don't. My plate is so full, to add one more thing would mean I would need to delete something else. When this is the case, just say no.
No doesn't mean no forever or no to everything. I can't really afford to be gone from my business for several days to go with my daughter on her fifth grade overnight trip, but I will go with her on a Girl Scout camping trip over the weekend. And it is definitively not because I enjoy camping, but it is what will work best to spend valuable mom and daughter time, while not being away from work.
3. Be in the moment
Be present in the activity you are doing. If you are working don't spend your time flipping through the latest post on Twitter and Facebook. At dinner talk with your loved ones, not checking your email and text messages. At the office, stay away from time wasters such as office gossip. If you focus and give your attention to what is important, you will find you have more time.
Running a business and nurturing a family is a balancing act that is always changing. For most of us deciding to start our own business was a decision motivated by the desire to have more flexibility and to do something we love and are a passionate about. Don't let time wasters and distractions clutter your days. Prioritize your activities, say no to things that are not that important and be present in the moment.
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