The Balancing Act

Like a tight rope walker high up in the air trying to balance, this too is the constant challenge between work and life balance we all try to achieve, more so when you have a business. The desire to succeed at your business and but still be present in the life of our loved ones

I don’t know about you but when I get in one of my business modes, nothing gets in the way and it is all consuming. When your motivated and the ideas just fly out of you. Do you stop this? Or, do you run with it?

My thoughts are is you run with it because it is often in these moments that we are our most creative. If you get like this all the time, then you may need to strike a balance there. I am a proud mum of 7, 4 that were born of my body and 3 that were born of my heart. I am naturally a very organised person, so those skills serve me well in my personal life, as well as business. Having structure and routines that work allow for a tight run ship. BUT let's face it, sometimes life gets in the way and we have to ride that wave when it happens, no guilt, just weather the storm.

I want to share a few of my tips that helped me get a bit of balance and I can not take credit for all of these as they are things I have picked up along that way from friends and the ever-present YouTube!!

I have daily routines that the children follow, and they are clearly set out and easy to follow. Break it up into morning and afternoon routines, this way the children can go about their day and you can still work effectively (if you work from home) just remember, KEEP IT SIMPLE. And children are small humans and they can help out too, and it gives them a sense of achievement.

I have to be very organised in the mornings as my children get on 2 different buses, so we need to be out that door nice and early. I prep most of the lunches the night before so there is as little to do as possible in the mornings. Oh there are some nights I just want to go to bed but I know I will be disappointed in my self the next morning if I don’t stick with this, because another important thing with being organised, means I can enjoy that morning coffee in bed, in silence before the children get up……BLISS.

I have a half hour break between buses so this is my time, I read a book for enjoyment during this time (sometimes I go down early in the arvos so that I can have more reading time….but sshhhh don’t tell anyone) when I arrive back home this is my housework time. I have one hour where I cram as many house jobs in as I can and then drop the tools at 9am and into my office (my office is at home).

Depending on your work, try and have a little structure in your workday, for instance -check your emails first up and do some follow up before you start getting into client work. Dedicate some time to your business in the day so those thoughts are not impacting your ability to perform your job for your clients and in those times that it is quiet, work on your business, check on your website, look at your social media and get advice from those people that know how to help. This theory is pretty much following the block system that the amazing Jordon Page – the ‘organise queen’ follows in her daily life, as a business owner and mum of 8 - that’s right 8. Check her out on YouTube it is so worth a look see. I will link her below. She does an amazing job with work life balance tips and wonderful ideas for children routines and everything. CHECK HER OUT.

So, when 5pm comes (or depending on your finish time) down those tools and be mum, partner, fur baby Mumma or whatever role you play and just be present. If something really needs your time and you have to dedicate that little extra time, then we have to do this on occasions.

If you are passionate and love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work; but also there are days when it just seems like all too much, reach out, go for coffee, take a self-care day, do whatever you need to keep you running at your best. You’re no use to anyone if you are running on empty (says the master of self-neglect) but I am making this a priority now as I have learnt the hard way.

So, my tips are these

· Have routines (personal and business)

· Organise your day into sections/blocks

· Make sure you take breaks as this is just as important

· Learn to switch off and be present once the workday stops

Be prepared, the effort you put in makes everything run smoothly for the week (Sunday is my food prep day) so worth it as my children’s lunches are planned for the week as I baked everything. Trust me you will thank yourself for this.

Do what you love and love what you do.

We are all doing our best and in the beginning when we are starting out we have to put in that little extra effort, but please set your work hours and stick with them, don’t let someone else try and tell you what are the hours you should work, you cant please everyone so stick to your guns on that. People will respect you for having these boundaries. You need to enjoy life also so give yourself that time.

https://www.youtube.com/user/funcheaporfree