Something I see a lot on social media is this idea that “work-life balance is dead” or it isn’t achievable. For some people, their life is their work; however, that is not the life neither I nor my business partner Katie wants to live. Especially as a business owner, having some type of separation is so important for the longevity of your business (& your sanity).
In this blog, we will share 5 simple steps to improve your work-life balance. If you’d prefer more 1:1 support with this, book a free consultation to learn how we can systemize your business so your lifestyle no longer has to be dictated by it.
Setting Clear Boundaries Between Work and Personal Time
When it comes to establishing a work-life balance, the first step is to set clear boundaries. These are boundaries you would establish with yourself and boundaries you’ll set with others. This can be easier said than done, but they are so important in preserving your energy, especially as service providers.
To give you some inspiration, some boundaries Katie & I have are:
- We don’t work until 9 AM & we stop working at 6 PM.
- All client communication is done via email or Voxer, to which we will respond within 24 hours.
- We don’t work on client work on the weekends.
- Phones are on DND during deep working hours.
- We stick to a priority list to ensure we stay on task.
If you struggle with boundaries, I would start by creating a schedule for when you do & don’t work. That way, you have a predictable schedule that can easily be adjusted if needed.
Prioritizing Tasks Effectively.
You might roll your eyes at this one; however, you’d be surprised by how difficult this can be for people. We have a client who tends to always focus on busy work rather than tasks that will move the needle forward.
This leads to a sense of spinning your wheels & never getting to where you want to go.
The first step in prioritizing tasks properly is having clear business goals. This will clarify what tasks will get you 80% of the results with only 20% of the effort needed.
Once you have this goal in mind, I suggest scheduling 60 minutes on Mondays to map out your week. This is what I do for Katie and my team. I set aside 60 minutes to reflect on how last week went, brainstorm what tasks need to be done, and delegate them to myself & the team.
That way we have a clear plan to follow that makes everyone feel accomplished by the end of the week.
You might like this too: The Ultimate Guide to Setting Better Business Goal.
Regular Breaks and Downtime
I cannot tell you how hard this is for me to follow. I’m naturally an executor, so I am always thinking about what I could (or should) be getting done. That thought process has led to many bouts of illness or injury doing to burning myself out. You might be in the same boat as me – getting caught in the cycle of burning out.
A simple way to break this pattern is to use a tool like the Pomodoro Timer. This timer has a set schedule where you work for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. After 4 rounds, you get a 15-minute break. Following this method has led to me being more productive, energized, and present with tasks at hand.
Creating a Balanced Environment at Home and Work
If you’re reading this, you most likely have an at-home office or space within your home to work. This can make it very easy to blur the lines between business and personal life, leading to a feeling of never being able to turn off.
I am fortunate to have a separate room that my fiancé and I use as our office. This is where we keep all work-related items. That way, it is easier to “turn off” when we are done for the day. However, I don’t always work in the office.
Sometimes, I feel more inspired at the kitchen table or on the couch. The key is to ensure that when you’re done working, your laptop, tablet, phone, etc., go into a separate room. This will signal to your brain that work time is over & it is time to decompress.
As a bonus, you can do an activity to help you reset. Fiancé and I will either go on a walk or do mobility decompress & reconnect with one another.
Rituals To Regulate Your Stress Levels
Something I am very passionate about is rituals that get you out of your head and into your body. As a recovering overthinker and perfectionist, this is so important!
Having a ritual toolbox will allow you to have ways to let go of stress, overwhelm, etc. For example if I feel like I am spiraling out of control, I will do something physical to reset my nervous system.
This could be:
- Breathwork
- Walking
- Venting to a friend or significant other
- Crying, screaming, or singing in the car
All of these help me to get the excess energy out so I can think clearer about XYZ situation. Mindfulness doesn’t have to be meditating for hours on end or having a 3 hour morning routine. It is about having tools you can go to when life becomes difficult.
Utilizing Technology for Better Balance
The great thing about the 21st century is the amount of technology we have to support our work-life balance. There are signature tools we recommend to help keep our work & life balanced while also being flexible too.
- Monday.com is where we store all our SOPs, projects, and tasks for different areas of our business.
- Clockify & Google Excel is how we track our time for client & internal projects.
- Opal the app & computer extension blocks specific sites (ie TikTok) so I don’t get distracted.
- Pomodoro timer for in-depth work & break management.
You can also go as far as incorporate automations so you can do less in a given day without losing momentum in your business.
You might like this too: 10 Online Business Tools That Will Systemize & Automate Your Business.
Final Thoughts
The thing to remember with a work-life balance is that it must be flexible. The routine you have now probably won’t work a year from now & that’s okay. It is something you are meant to adjust overtime in which I recommend doing a monthly reflection to see what is or isn’t working. I hope the biggest thing you take away from this blog is that a work-life balance is possible & you deserve to have one.
P.S. If this blog was too long to read, here is the gist:
- Setting Clear Boundaries Between Work and Personal Time
- Prioritizing Tasks Effectively.
- Regular Breaks and Downtime
- Creating a Balanced Environment at Home and Work
- Incorporate Mindfulness Activities.
- Utilizing Technology for Better Balance
- Book a free consultation if you want to systemize your business today so you can grow your business without sacrificing your personal life!
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