Tips to Find Balance as a Woman Running a Small Business
There’s no question about it: Women run the world. We run businesses, tame the chaos at home, care for children, and do just about everything in-between. That’s why The Everywomen Blog is devoted to arming women around the world with the tips and tools they need to thrive, including helpful business guides like this one. If you’re a woman who is also an entrepreneur and you are struggling to keep up with the demands on your busy schedule, the tips in this guide can help you find the balance you need without sacrificing the needs of your business.
Even Superheroes Need Sidekicks
Before you get into some of the steps needed to run a successful business, you need to know that putting these steps into action requires time and energy. If you don’t have a lot of either, it may be worthwhile to hire help for your business or at home to free up your schedule.
Let’s say you need to file paperwork, organize financials, and keep track of data to keep your business running like clockwork. Hire a freelance virtual assistant to take care of these menial tasks so you can dedicate more of your time to more important work and needs. You can find this support via job boards like Upwork where providers usually charge $10–$20 per hour.
If you prefer to handle these projects on your own, you can also consider hiring professionals to help with some of your responsibilities at home. For example, you can use an app to find someone to walk your dog or even petsit if you need to travel for your new business.
Real Work-Life Balance Is Possible
Hiring help is a surefire way to create more balance between your business and other parts of your busy life. All too often, female entrepreneurs end up sacrificing this balance so that their business can succeed or because they feel obligated to home and personal responsibilities. But here’s the honest truth: Work-life balance isn’t just possible — it is absolutely essential.
True, you can find ways to keep juggling all those balls in the air at once, but at some point, you’re likely to end up dropping one. Taking on too much with no breaks is also a recipe for burnout, so try to create some real balance in your routine. Here are a few suggestions:
- Maintain healthy habits, like exercising, eating nutritious foods, and getting sufficient sleep.
- Stop comparing yourself to other women and/or other small business owners.
- Learn how to say “no” and set boundaries, both in your business and at home.
That last one can be rather tricky, but it could be the most important tip when it comes to maintaining your mental health. Establishing boundaries with clients, family members, friends, and even yourself is the key to conserving your time and energy and maximizing your productivity. Boundaries can be different for every entrepreneur, so think carefully about yours.
Real Growth Comes From Discomfort
So far, we’ve focused on how to keep yourself and your routine comfortable. Now we want to switch gears and talk about why getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is also a key trait of successful female entrepreneurs. Speaker and successful business coach Melody Hossaini explains that remaining in your comfort zone can close you off to opportunities to grow and learn. In business, you have to be willing to break out of this zone and experience some discomfort and uncertainty.
At the same time, you also need to believe in yourself and believe that you have what it takes to use that discomfort to take your business to the next level of success. Know that owning a business is full of ups and downs, but building resiliency can help you stay strong. It can help you weather changes, whether in your professional or personal world.
In times of doubt, you can also reach out to other women or a mentor for added support and guidance. Connecting with other female business owners and supporting them in their journey is also a phenomenal way to boost your own efforts and achieve your professional goals.
You’re a business owner. Maybe you’re also a mother, a partner, a friend, a caregiver — the list goes on and on. Women wear so many hats in their lives but know that you can find balance and calm, no matter how busy yours gets. You just need to make time for yourself, be willing to ask for help, and keep this guide handy to simplify running your small business.
The Everywomen Blog is the best source for articles, tips, and resources dedicated to helping women of all ages and backgrounds live their best lives. Visit the blog today.