Being a successful business owner means finding a balance between growing your company and prioritizing your family. It’s a big challenge. There’s no shortage of long days, excessive travel and never-ending to-do lists.
Yet, your family is just as important. They deserve more than the small amount of energy you have left at the end of the day. You want to give them more than your partial attention. Time together shouldn’t be reduced to a quick vacation squeezed in before the kids head back to school.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen our clients struggle with good work-life balance. Shifts triggered by the pandemic put new obstacles in our path, not to mention club sports, youth programs and summer vacations.
We’re stretched thin in every area of our lives. The line between personal and professional continues to blur, causing us to feel like we are achieving less and less.
So how do you do it all? While there’s no perfect formula, hopefully one of these tips can help you achieve more balance.
5 Tips to Create Better Work-Life Balance
1. Focus on Your Strengths
A simple place to start is to assess what you are really good at. You can use those strengths to balance your family and work life.
For example, if you excel at coming up with big ideas and planning things out, you can spend time setting clear goals and charting the course for your business. Then, let others execute to meet those goals. You won’t get mired in the weeds, and you can make sure your business keeps growing and succeeding.
Or, let’s say you’re a natural when it comes to connecting with people and building relationships. Working on your network and fostering connections can be your focus. Attending client meetings, negotiating deals and participating in industry events can give your business the boost it needs.
Remember, it’s perfectly okay to delegate tasks that don’t match your strengths. You can assign those responsibilities to someone else or seek external assistance. By doing this, you’ll have more time for family, bringing happiness to both areas of your life.
2. Involve Your Kids
Involving your kids in your professional life can bring a host of benefits for you and your children. Doing so provides an opportunity to spend quality time together and helps your children better understand what you do and the challenges you face in your work.
By involving your kids, you can teach them valuable lessons about your business and industry. They can learn about the different aspects of your work, the skills required, and the importance of hard work and dedication. This exposure can help them develop a deeper appreciation for your profession.
Moreover, involving your kids in your professional life can inspire them to develop their own interests and entrepreneurial dreams. They can see firsthand the rewards and challenges of running a business, potentially motivating them to create their own path in the future. In some cases, it may even encourage them to join the family business, fostering a strong bond and shared purpose within the family.
By involving your kids in your professional life, you can create lasting memories and stronger family connections. You also provide them with valuable lessons and inspiration for their own future endeavors.
3. Learn to Say No
It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of running a successful business. It’s also easy to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. However, by constantly saying yes, you risk overloading yourself. This could lead to excessive meetings, checking email after hours and taking on projects that don’t align with your goals.
By learning to say no, you can prevent overload and ensure that you have the time and energy to dedicate to your work and family obligations. Saying no allows you to set boundaries and prioritize projects that truly align with your skill sets and passions. It enables you to focus on the tasks that will have the most significant impact on your business growth.
To learn to say no, start by evaluating every opportunity that comes your way. Consider whether it aligns with your long-term goals and whether you have the time and resources to dedicate to it. Choose wisely how you spend your time. Only accept projects that bring the most value to your business and personal life.
Clearly communicate your work hours and establish times when you are unavailable for meetings or phone calls. This will help you protect your personal time and allow you to fully engage with your family without constant interruptions.
Learning to say no may initially feel uncomfortable, but it is a necessary skill for achieving work-family balance.
4. Block Out Work vs. Family Time on Your Schedule
To effectively put this strategy into practice, setting clear boundaries and sticking to your established schedule is key. It’s important to avoid blurring the lines between your work responsibilities and family time. Keep your work environment separate from your home space to help maintain this distinction. When spending time with your family, commit to being fully present and engaged, leaving work-related thoughts aside.
Effective time management is essential for maintaining this balance. Consider using techniques like time-blocking, where you allocate specific time slots for work tasks, alongside dedicated family moments. Prioritize activities that hold personal significance and align with your values. Remember that work is ongoing, whereas the quality moments with your family are truly invaluable.
By thoughtfully designating segments in your schedule for work or family commitments, you can foster a harmonious work-life balance. This approach empowers you to excel in your professional endeavors while nurturing the essential components of your personal life.
Read: How Multigenerational Family Vacations Can Strengthen Your Family’s Legacy
5. Delegate Responsibilities
One thing we see often is business owners who try to do it all. When it comes to lightening your load, think about passing some tasks over to experts you trust. Bringing in a financial advisor, a tax consultant or a wealth manager can reduce stress and open up more of your time.
Knowing that a qualified professional oversees your business’s financial affairs provides peace of mind. You can focus on running your business and enjoying your family time, confident that your financial matters are being managed diligently.
Set up time to talk with one of our advisors and let us help you find a healthy balance.
