Lost Sight Of The Reason Why You Started Your Own Business? Top Tips For Balancing Business With Family Life.

For many mums running their own businesses, family is the reason why.  Yet this reason can often get forgotten as we struggle to cope with the demands of running a business, particularly during the early stages when you are are just starting out. The long, irregular hours including evenings and weekends can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and inadequate in both our business and family lives.

Successfully balancing business with family life is tough and can take time to perfect but in our experience it can be done.  Here are our top tips showing you how...

Get organised

Take time out from the business of your day-to-day life and put a work-life model in place that works for you. 

Set clearly defined boundaries between your work and family time. When it is time for you to work devote all your energy to it.  Don’t reply to personal emails, squander time on Facebook or do the washing up.  Ban all technology during family time to give you time away from your business and your family your undivided attention.

Don’t forget to counter time in your schedule for ‘emergencies’. Who could look after the children for a few days if you have a tight deadline and need more work time? Where could you find extra hours in your week? Could you, for example, work in the early mornings when the children are still asleep?

Set realistic goals

Clearly define realistic goals for each day or week. Don’t get caught up in daily urgent tasks, focus on the outcomes that will add true value to your business and move you closer to achieving your long-term business goals.  Regularly reviewing and ticking off the goals you have accomplished will help you stay motivated.

Outsource

Your time is valuable.  Decide if it is more economical to outsource specific tasks that divert you from your focus.  Consider using a service such as fiverr.com where you can get jobs done for just $5, or hiring a virtual assistant.

Invest in yourself

It is impossible to be everything to everybody. Coping with the demands on your time is so much easier when you have invested in nurturing yourself first.  Exercise, eat well, get enough sleep and give yourself space for non work or family related activities.   

Build a support network

Recognise you don’t need to do it alone. Cultivate a network of mums in business who share the same struggles as you and learn to ask for their help. 

Learn to live with difficult decisions

Sometimes difficult decisions need to be made. You may need to decide if earning an extra few hundred euros is worth missing your child’s sports day. Once you’ve decided  your course of action let it go. Don’t obsess, feel guilty or question your decision.

Remind yourself of why you do the work you do

And finally, remind yourself of the answer to the simple question "What are you trying to accomplish?" every single day, and even more importantly remind yourself of the reason why.  If your reason is good enough I have no doubt you will find a way to succeed.
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