So, you have started a home-based business and it is taking up so much of your energy, focus, and creativity, it seems like there is very little left over for your family—let alone yourself. It can be so easy to let things get skewed and out of balance when you are the one starting and running your own business. It takes some direction and determination to find a way to balance business and pleasure.
I’ve found that finding a way to inject a fair amount of pleasure into the business day can help. It does not all have to be spreadsheets and text documents and tense negotiations. Having some fun, taking a break, going for a walk, or just turning on some music and letting myself experience a little pleasure in the midst of an ordinary day can go a long way in balancing out the work.
Additionally, it is so easy to work those extra hours—stay at the desk until a project is finished, or work through a lunch or dinner time. Resist the urge to push yourself too much as this is how people experience burn out. Force yourself to set and keep reasonable hours. If you tell your family you will be available for meal times, events, or just lounging in the evenings—try to keep those appointments. For many of us, scheduling in our “down time” is the only way we’ll force ourselves to move away from the desk!
Balance is important. While it won’t always seem like our leisure and pleasure hours are perfectly balanced with our work hours—keeping it a focus at the forefront of the mind can help ensure that overall, we are keeping things in perspective. The work will still be there tomorrow and unless there is a tight deadline to meet, most things can wait while we have a little play time. Besides, we’ll come back rested and ready to take on new challenges if we let a little pleasure into our day!
Also: Roll With the Punches
Is Your Home Business Keeping You Up at Night?
Taking the Focus OFF Yourself and Your Home Business