Balancing a Successful Business & Personal Life

Have you ever wondered what it takes to have a successful business & personal life? I have. Some days it seems as if I am being pulled in two directions. My business needs me, and so does my family. After asking these powerhouses in the beauty and bath business, I realize it’s something we all struggle with. Read on and see if you can pick up a tip or two. I sure did!

Anne Marie Faiola – Brambleberry – It’s a constant balance to be ruthless with your time. I follow the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” strategy mixed with Dave Crenshaw’s methods so when I’m home, I’m present with my kids and when I’m at work, I’m efficient and scheduled, working on the right tasks. I use the Eternity app to track all my time to make sure that I’m focusing on the things that matter to me and the big goals I’ve set out for family, personal and business.

Roberta Perry – Scrubz – Make time for your personal life and don’t waiver from that commitment. The business activities, problems and things to do will be always be waiting for you, however the joy and love spent with family and friends make it all worthwhile.

Alana Riveria – Etta and Billie – Schedule time off! Make sure you are not spending every waking hour working on your business. You will burn out fast (it’s happened to me several times). I have started making Sundays a no work day (checking email once doesn’t count 😉 ). It’s invigorating to have a day to rest and spend time with friends and family and explore my other interests. It makes Mondays more enjoyable. I also try to schedule a night off here and there on weekdays too.

Debbie May – Wholesales Supplies Plus – I believe your business becomes your life and your life becomes your business. It is hard for small business owners to separate the two and do a good job at both.

Joan Morais – Joan Morais Naturals – Get as much help as you can. It is so easy for business owners to do everything themselves, especially if you are good at many things and to help save costs in the business. Figure out an area that someone else can help you like cleaning the house, grocery shopping, cooking, bookkeeping or an assistant for your business. Whatever someone can do to free you up to do your best work. Charge enough for your products and services to be able to pay others top help you. Definitely schedule 1-2 days off a week, get 8 hours of sleep, eat healthy meals, exercise, have fun and take vacation. It is a lot easier said than done. I have to make a conscious effort to do this and schedule it in on my calendar. When I do, my business does very well and with less effort. You have to convince yourself that your value is not in how hard you work and the sacrifices you make. Too many of us think we have to work at the expense of our well-being and that is what makes us valuable. It is a fact that the more we are spinning and overdoing, we will get sick, be un-well and our business and productivity will suffer. Just as we create a work schedule, create a wellness schedule.

Michelle Rhodes – Mossy Creek Soap – Make sure you have set hours for working if you are at home. If you have an office be sure to finish work at work. That way you will have time with your family— no peaking at emails either. That is a sure fire way to blow family time. I bring my family when I travel so we can be together on the traveling times. It’s a great way to introduce my daughter into entrepreneurship at an early age.

Charlene Simon – Bathhouse Soapery – I have a husband, 3 children, 2 dogs, 4 retail shops, 2 online stores, and dreams higher than the sky. There is no such thing as balance, it seems, on the day to day. Over the past 9 years I simply set minimums for myself in the businesses and with my family. I have rules set and I do all that I can not to break them so that I can maintain a bit of sanity for myself and be fair to my obligations. While family comes first, my businesses bring me fulfillment that is just as important, personally. Some of my minimums include not missing my children’s games, competitions, or other important activities to them. However, I may miss dinners from time to time and our family isn’t sure what it’s like to go on vacation for spring or holiday breaks because they understand these are times our stores need me and most of the time, us as a family. It’s not a perfect balance but these are minimums I’ve set for myself and it’s the closest thing to balance for me.

Donna Maria Coles Johnson – The Indie Business Network – Don’t balance. Just do what is important. Write down everything that needs to be done, and then schedule it. I use Google Calendar because I love it and I can color code things. If I can’t do it Tuesday and it’s important, I’ll move it to Wednesday or Thursday, or what have you. Sometimes things drop off the “important” list and I can do other things. So, I don’t try to find balance. I do what needs to be done based on my personal and professional priorities and goals.

Lori Nova Endres – The Nova Studio – Ah… the elusive “balance” we’re all seeking. This is something I’ve struggled with, especially since my son was born in 2012. Not sure if I should be giving tips in this category. My husband has been overseas this past year for work and there just aren’t enough hours in the day for me to get what I need done. One thing that helps me is to ask for help when I need it (which has been a lot lately), and I am getting pretty good at delegating tasks and letting things go that I just can’t get to. Of course, it always helps to have a business that you’re passionate about. That way “work” doesn’t feel like “work.” Also, being able to check email, internet, calendar, and etc. all on my iPhone helps me to do a lot of small work tasks with one hand, while I’m taking care of my toddler with the other. (Now there’s a great visual image for balance!)
How do you balance your business & personal life?

Yours in Gratitude,

Angela