How to find a work-life balance as a start-up entrepreneur?
The financial risks of being an entrepreneur can offer terrific benefits in the end, but you will likely spend a great deal of time working before you see any payout.
Because entrepreneurship makes it hard to see the payout very quickly, you may find it hard to maintain a work-life balance as you begin your journey.
Start Your Day Healthy
Make sure that you exercise early. Often, the best way to keep this promise to yourself is to automate it. Before you go to bed, put your workout gear in the bathroom. As soon as you get out of bed, get dressed for your run or for a workout.
Make your breakfast as consistently healthy as possible. If you can make it work, eating the same thing every day may be the best way to keep your shopping simple. A whole wheat tortilla wrap with apple and peanut butter is a simple, portable, and very hearty way to start the day.
Block Out Your Time
One of the joys of life as an entrepreneur is that you're always learning. Block out time for studying journals about updates in your industry, or changes in industries that appeal to you.
Guard that study time. If electronics can distract you, get your reading materials on paper and silence your phone. Leave it across the room. Set an alarm so you can read without having to check the clock.
Delegate and Communicate
While your start-up idea may have been solely your own, you don’t have to do all the work by yourself. Delegating specific tasks to your staff gives you added freedom to take care of personal matters or family commitments. Be sure to clearly communicate any deadlines to your team as well as your expectations. You’ll build trust among your staff and improve workflow within the business while making time for home life.
Get Guidance
A mentor is an excellent guide in the business world. Working with a skilled professional can help you shed worries and feel less isolated. You can bounce around ideas and gain perspective.
While you look for a mentor, consider hiring a startup advisory resource for guidance and help. Pay careful attention to the skillsets that you lack and seek help from a startup advisor who has experience in those areas.
Make Time for Fun
Once you've worked out, studied, worked on your business and met with your advisor or mentor, make sure you allow time for fun. Even if funds are tight, look for ways to connect with old friends. You may be able to cook them a meal or book a potluck. Arrange a barbecue to bring everyone together.
Set a Quitting Time
Eventually, your brain will reach a level of tired or full, and more work is not going to yield much benefit. Set a quitting time every day. If you like social media or watching old cartoons, make yourself a deal. When you stop working at 7 pm, you can watch old cartoons for the rest of the night. Until quitting time arrives, push through!
Work-life balance is never easy, but for entrepreneurs, the payouts can be a long time after the effort. Do your best to guard your health and maintain friendships while you build your business or businesses.
