Tips for a work/life balance
Talk to most small business owners and they will likely tell you that they are working hard to provide for the family and create a better work/life balance for themselves. However, the unfortunate reality is that for most business owners (especially those that are passionate about what they do), they get less of both, particularly if starting a business. Further, any business owner that says that they can keep work and home life completely separate is likely to be deluding themselves. This does not necessarily mean that they are a workaholic or that they always put their business ahead of personal or family needs, but it is common for thoughts about the business to intrude into their personal time so that they are not fully engaged in family life and/or time with others. When this occurs, the belief that they are trying to ‘provide for the family and create a better work/life balance for themselves’ becomes seriously questioned by the very people the business owner is trying to provide for!
In his excellent book “Rest”, Alex Soojung-Kim Pang makes a compelling case for actually working less and relaxing more since he asserts that work and relaxation are actually two sides of the same coin, i.e. you can’t be effective in one unless you are effective in the other. In fact, Alex’s book contains a lot of fascinating examples demonstrating how taking a break leads to greater personal performance. So here are some simple steps to improving work/life balance:
Dedicate specific time to do the things that fulfill you. Plan these into your weekly schedule and stick to these as if they were an essential meeting with a very important person (which they are – you!!).
Similar to the above, put boundaries around your time with your family and keep these sacrosanct. If you have young children, I guarantee you that you won’t regret this and it’s this time that you will remember in years to come, not the work you were doing at the time.
Allocate specific time for physical exercise. No need to go crazy here – it could be as simple as just going for a walk, but you will be amazed by the ideas that occur to you once you take yourself out of the day-to-day work environment.
All the above items might at first glance seem to be adding to your already hectic schedule, but the reality is that it is far better to be efficient and productive than just busy – you get more stuff done! Ask most people if they have enough time to do everything they want to do and the answer is invariably no, so the key to getting things done is to prioritise effectively. Start by identifying the really important things that need to be achieved and plan these in to your day and week according to their level of urgency.
Keep work and home separate as far as you can. For example, wear different clothes when working from when you are not. The psychological effect of removing a business shirt and replacing it with a polo can do much to create a space between work time and home time. If you are working from home, dedicate a particular area in the house for work.
Be fully present when doing those fulfilling and relaxing activities. This will allow your subconscious to work on the deeper or more complex problems which is why so many people have those “eureka!” moments when in the shower or walking the dog.
Practice gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Each of these elements is seen as key to living a happier life and will aid in any relaxation activities.
While none of the above is particularly onerous, they do all require a disciplined approach if you are to be successful. Changing your work habits in this way takes time and effort but well worth it for keeping things in proportion.
Ian Ash ACC, AInstIB
Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com.au