Work-life balance seems to be hard to achieve these days because of numerous factors. For small business owners, work-life balance may be more difficult to achieve because of the whole lot of time spent in making sure that the business runs the way it should be and for the business to thrive, especially now that we are in the middle of a pandemic.
Here are some ways by which small business owners can take control of their lives and achieve the work-life balance that they so deserve to have.
1. Create A To-Do List
At this day and age when people seem to be always on the go, it is still best practice to create a to-do list to help the business owner run their typical day. This to-do list may be for the day or for the whole work week. The to-do list helps the business owner focus on what is urgent, what is important, and what are the priorities when it comes to the things that need to be done – both in their personal and work life.
2. Excessive Work is Excessive
Repetitive as it may sound, a business owner should say “No” to excessive work. This could be allocating more hours in the office than with family or self. Do not exhaust yourself to the brim that rest and sleep will be sacrificed. Try to maintain an 8-hour workday with the weekends spent on other things and tasks. You will realize that you will achieve a certain level of work-life balance that you are totally in control of.
3. Do Not Bring Home Work
Work never ends. However, small business owners have the tendency to bring home and spill over work and other business-related transactions into their own homes, which should not be the case and should never be encouraged at all. The home should be the business owner’s personal space. It should provide protection and, more importantly, respite after a long day at work. Given that a whole lot of people are working from home nowadays, it is still important to have some personal space in your home that is meant solely for you – to recharge, read a book, or just sleep when necessary to regain energy.
4. Have Your Own “Me” Time
As much as the family and friends of a small business owner are important in their lives, it is important for the business owner to make “me” time a habit. The business owner should occasionally treat themselves. Sports activities, going to the movies, volunteering for a cause – these activities can help build the self-esteem of the business owner as they take on a break from their daily routine to keep their business afloat.
5. Consider a Four-Day Work Week
Yes, this may mean longer hours in the office but could help give you more quality time for yourself and for your family and friends. This holds true, too, if you implement it in your workforce. Studies have positively shown that this type of work arrangement works in terms of productivity and will still have the same effect in terms of compensating your employees.
6. Clearly Define Your Work Hours Each Day
Ensure that all work that needs to be done is clearly defined in your day. Small business owners tend to overlook the number of hours they are at work, but it should not be the case. This helps you balance out your activities for the day for higher productivity and more time to do other things outside of work.
7. Delegate
Make use of your workforce. Delegate tasks that can be done by your employees because you hired them for a reason. Excessive micromanagement may tend to sway you to do almost everything at work when there are people you hired who are supposed to be doing certain jobs for you and take away tasks that can be done by others. Take these tasks off your shoulders and let your employees do what they need to do.
