<p>How many of you feel like you are in a love affair with your business? This may sound a bit well, weird, but many small business owners spend more time with their business than they do with their partner.</p>
<p>They forget they have another life and their business becomes their life; the next phone call, the next e-mail or Facebook update becomes an obsession. In fact your business is supposed to support your life; not the other way around.</p>
<p>Running a small business can be consuming and no matter how much you get done there is always more to do! More people to talk to, more filing, writing, networking, planning and so on. However, work-life balance is essentially important and for that reason I consider it one piece of the business pie. Staying in healthy balance allows you to work more efficiently and effectively. If you are stressed, tired or brain-dead your work will be lower quality and you will make poorer decisions. Here are some balanced ways to love your business and still keep a focus on your whole life.</p>
<p><strong>1. Create a personal vision statement focusing on what really matters to you personally.</strong> Personally may have nothing to do with your business. Maybe you want to learn to ski, travel to Peru or spend time with your family. Make sure you make personal goals and decisions from the place of your personal vision. Your personal goals are ultimately more important than your business goals.</p>
<p><strong>2. Plan time away from work</strong>. Real time away means turning off your computer and laying on the beach or the equivalent. Remember that taking space from your business is healthy and when you come back you will be re-vitalized, be more creative and refreshed.</p>
<p><strong>3. Know that your business will never be perfect no matter how much you work.</strong> Allow your business to be a work in progress and let go of expectations that cause stress and anxiety. Trying to get just one more thing done before you relax is a myth. I have done just that and before I know it, it's midnight and I am still working.</p>
<p><strong>4. Keep your schedule manageable without over-booking.</strong> More is not better. Quality suffers when you try to do too much and you short change yourself and your customers. Often the drive to do more comes from a fear or stress place and not a feeling of peace.</p>
<p><strong>5. Make sure you have a supportive group around you; people who you can share with, get feedback from and celebrate your successes.</strong> Mentors and support people are essential to help you stay in balance as you need to have somewhere safe to share, get feedback and explore ideas.</p>
<p>Put these simple five things into practice and you will notice immediate results. You will still be in love with your business but not in exchange for your life. Your business will actually do better and your personal life will feel richer.</p>
2009-03-17T19:06:55Z
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5-work-life-balance-tips-for-the-overworked-entrepreneur
0
2009-03-20T06:38:49Z
2009-03-20T06:38:49Z
Do you feel like your business is running your life?
If you want your life to run your business instead, here are 5 tips to help you stay on track.
5 Work-Life Balance Tips for the Overworked Entrepreneur
1
2009-03-20T06:38:49Z