Last week I talked about the importance of work life balance as an entrepreneur. In my experience, too little balance can actually put you out of business, especially if you are a solopreneur. It doesn’t mean you can’t work hard; there are times when you have to put in extra hours in a business - just like sometimes you have to take extra family time, or extra me time to keep sanity in check.
So how do you fit little balancing acts into a busy workday, or keep your head on straight when you are in the midst of a huge project? Well, since I’m rather desperately in need of these tips right now (in the middle of a huge project!!), I figured I would share my research with you.
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Set up a “busy schedule” and stick to it
You probably have a normal daily routine, and it all gets out of whack when things get busy at work. But work can suck you in, and you can justify far too many hours in the name of growth. So set up a routine for “busy days” - perhaps you work 2-4 extra hours, and stick to that schedule, working nothing beyond it.
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Schedule down time
Schedule things like “break”, “coffee”, or even “video games” into your calendar just like you would a conference call. Protect and honor your downtime with just as much care, too.
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Squeeze in walks
Whether you park further away from the office or store, or you work from home, try to squeeze in short walks (I’ve started walking my kids to school regularly). Not only does it force you to reconnect with yourself, but it also gives you some exercise which will improve your concentration when you are working.
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Ask for help
Sometimes so hard for an entrepreneur to do, but so necessary if you ever plan on growing your business long-term.
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Say NO
Ditto, ditto, ditto!
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Avoid overwhelm by making lists
Usually the only time I get really overwhelmed is when I can’t keep track of everything on my plate in my head. Usually when I make a list, I can either see that it’s not all that bad, OR that I’m being totally unrealistic in my expectations of myself and I carve off stuff immediately.
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Focus on your outcome, not current problems
When the going gets rough, it’s hard not to look at the problems you are facing - but focusing on problems tends to create more of them. When this happens, remind yourself of your outcome - your end goal, which will help to push you through the hard times as the anticipation of your reward draws near.
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Put your perfectionism on the shelf
There is a time and a place for perfectionism - when things are busy, consciously choose the areas in which you are willing to slack. You can’t be perfect at everything, so don’t even try it, unless you want to crash and burn.
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Get support
Whether it be business or personal support, busy times call for a morale boost on a regular basis. Hire a temp virtual assistant or call a good friend - anything to ease the burden you may be feeling.
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Eat at least one meal a day with family or friends
I’m so guilty of eating while working. STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER, MA’AM, and nourish both your body and your soul for an hour.
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Set up accountability
I have several people in my life that will hold me accountable to my word - and that includes whether I promise to meet a deadline or if I promise to take my kids to the zoo. Finding an accountability partner is a really great productivity tool, too.
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Build in consequences
Although there are always natural consequences when things don’t get done, sometimes we just take the easy way out. But for really important tasks, I will set up a consequence for myself if I don’t get it done. Usually I’ll put together a to-do list including work tasks and things like meditation or a walk. If I don’t have the entire list done, I promise my blog readers I will pay the consequences, like a $100 donation/loan to a Kiva entrepreneur.
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Eat right
I tend to get sick when I work too much - but that’s also because I don’t pay attention to what I am eating whenI’m under the gun. Good nutrition will help you work smarter, relax easier, and recover from the long hours faster once you’re back to a normal schedule.
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Set up email filters
I receive over 1000 emails a week - but even if you only receive 100, you should filter your email. It’s the only way I can sift through the messages to know what needs my immediate attention, what can be deleted immediately, or what can at least wait a few days until I have to respond. This has been one of the most time and energy saving things I have ever done in my business.
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Turn off email and the phone for set hours
I hear from several colleagues that this works - and quite well. Honestly, this is one I’m not so sure I could pull off myself - but hopefully you can!
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Play hard
When you finally do get your down time, live it up! If your mind is still in your office, you aren’t really getting down time. Be present to the moment when you’re playing, and the experience will energize your mind and your heart.
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Know your own “Relax” buttons
Everyone has a few things that are guaranteed to bring your stress level down to normal. Whether it be a glass of wine, a massage, or curling up with the latest Harry Potter book (my favorite!), know your ‘relax buttons’ and get them on your schedule now.
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Watch your estimations
I admit I am terrible at estimating what I can get done - my eyes are always bigger than my day. When things get busy, I’m even worse, and I risk over promising and under-delivering. Under stressful times, knock off 10-20% of what you think you can accomplish to be sure you’re not letting anyone down.
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Get a coach!
A life or business coach is an excellent solution to keeping busy schedules in perspective - and they will always be able to point things out that we have a hard time discerning for ourselves. Some are so good that over time you will be able to accomplish more work in less hours, which is a great return on investment in and of itself!
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Lay down the law
Pick just a few from this list and lay down the law with yourself. Use that accountability if you have to, and religiously practice work-life balance. The more you take care of yourself, the easier life and work become, anyway!
25 Responses to “20 Work-Life Balance Tips for the Overworked Entrepreneur”
Leave a Reply
September 7th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Wendy,
I will print this out and put it on the bulletin board over my computer. It all comes down to setting boundaries, and operating within them, doesn’t it?
September 7th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Sure does, Neena.
September 7th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
[…] Lastly, I mentioned yesterday that I’ve been working a bit too much lately on my new project - so today I reminded myself how to keep it all in perspective on my Entrepreneur.com Blog with 20 Work-Life Balance Tips for the Overworked Entrepreneur. […]
September 7th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
[…] Wendy (eMom), has put together a great list of 20 Work-Life Balance Tips for the Overworked Entrepreneur (or parent). I will hang these on the bulletin board over my computer to remind me to stay on […]
September 7th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I need to print these out and put them right in front of me! Thanks for the reminders.
September 7th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I can relate!! My family acts as the angel on my shoulder saying, “Take a break!!”
September 7th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
I really like how you stress the need for breaks and “me time.” So many people just work until they mentally collapse. They mistake activity for productivity. Thanks for the tips.
September 8th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Hi Wendy, these strategies are right on the money. Some I’ve learned the hard way and some I’m still working on. Thanks for your wisdom.
September 8th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Great list Wendy. On #2 I’d just point out that, at least for me, a video game would not be a break since it’s still time sitting at my desk on the computer. Much better for me is a quick walk around the block or a few crunches on the exercise ball I keep in my office. Anything to get me away from the computer for a few minutes.
Thanks.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
WOW Great post!! As a busy mom of 3, who is an Entrepreneur and a Life Coach — I couldnt agree with you more.
Do you hapen to have this post in an article format? I would love to share it with my site (of course with your author byline) I am sure my visitors would love it!
September 9th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Hi Wendy,
Great List, Thanks. This is really something all of us should hang on the wall. I’ve been guilty of violating these rules for a long time and the consequences were not nice at all.
I would add one thing : Do only important stuff.
Thanks again,
Yoav
September 11th, 2007 at 5:27 am
I don’t know about you, but my kids provide a great distraction! There is nothing like a reminder of perspective I got by chaperoning my daughter’s first middle school dance. Watching the interaction between the boys and girls and just the energy they put into having fun…it was inspiring! It made me want to bust-a-move with them (but my daughter would have KILLED ME if I had!).
September 12th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Very good list, I´ll be putting a link to it on my blog! I think I´m guilty of pretty much every single one of those mistakes . . . especially not eating right and eating at the computer.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Thank you for putting this great list together!
I plan to share your tips my coaching clients.
In Balance,
Shann
September 13th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Dugg it, Blinked it and Stumbled it - so others can read it too. We just launched 119 sites on Monday, so this little reminder comes at the perfect time. Great advice for those few of us willing to pay the high price to go it alone and go big. I’ll keep reading if you’ll keep writing, Wendy.
WordGuy.
September 14th, 2007 at 5:33 am
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September 19th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
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September 24th, 2007 at 7:31 am
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October 23rd, 2007 at 4:28 am
These are great tips! Work life balance is a key issue. We are so “overbooked”, whether in our personal or professional lives, there is just so little me time.
Susan
Ace Concierge
November 16th, 2007 at 6:22 am
[…] 20 Work-Life Balance Tips for the Overworked Entrepreneur - [Wendy Piersall] […]
December 25th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
These ideas are so great I wish I had them last year when I was working myself into fatigue with my own start up. I will keep them in mind for next year.
January 5th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
These are great tips for the self employed by me. I just read an article by Eileen McDargh that has five more tips for renewing yourself in the new year. You can read it at http://www.eileenmcdargh.com/article_fivetips.html
January 6th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Wendy,
Great list. This is something that is a great refresher of some of the points that Tim Ferris makes in the 4 Hour Work Week!
January 20th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
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February 4th, 2008 at 3:56 am
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