HEALTH
Work-Life
Balance for the Entrepreneur By Theresa Peters
The entrepreneur’s life can be messy. Business life and personal life can collide in a wreck of toddlers, teens and technology, and leave you overwhelmed and gasping for air in a world where everyone wants something from you. How can you succeed in business and manage your life simultaneously? Set Priorities
It is vital to remember what matters and why you do what you do. ◆ What are the real reasons you are an entrepreneur? ◆ What are your goals in business and life? ◆ What recharges you? How will you find a space for it? ◆ Where do relationships fit in? How much will you sacrifice?
Have a Workday Routine
Now that you have a list of priorities, make a schedule. Find time for all the things that truly matter to you. Having a routine helps manage mental health and well-being by signaling the start and end of the workday. It gives your brain the signal that you are now on the clock and, most importantly, at the end of your workday you are clocking out. This is time for other things that matter—fitness, family and friends. This balance of work and life allows you to destress and ultimately give it your all during working hours.
Be Flexible
Guaranteed, your schedule will be interfered with! Your child will get sick, there will be 16 | BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
medical appointments and people will call at inopportune times! It pays to learn to take a deep breath and reschedule. Remember the things that truly matter and do those first. Your child’s needs cannot wait until you are done, but that report will be there later. Your love shines through when they see you stop what you are doing to care for them. (And, respectively, they learn to work hard and be committed when they see you set aside time for your business!)
Get Out, Be Active
Being an entrepreneur so often means sitting at a desk. Your body and mind will thank you for a short walk outside at lunch to get you moving and get some fresh air. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your business. If you have chosen the life of an entrepreneur, you likely already possess a great deal of determination, ingenuity and strength. You are also, perhaps, a spouse, parent, child and friend. You have many roles, and by setting clear priorities, boundaries and plans you can learn to rest in your life. You can be a successful business owner, caring parent and spouse, and dedicated child and friend.
Theresa Peters, an educator by trade, is a writer and editor with SAY Magazine. She is also an avid blogger and a Language Arts Mentor with Discern to Learn.
