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Entrepreneurship is exciting. We feel a sense of achievement when our investment of time, energy and other resources pays off in tangible ways. Unfortunately, in the “busyness” of business sometimes we forget that we are multifaceted beings.
There are eight areas of life: business/career, physical fitness, spirituality, finances, family, friends and community, fun and recreation, and personal growth. When we invest too much time in business, we spend less time in other areas. As a result, we get off balance – sometimes with tragic consequences.
Work-life balance is a dynamic process of investing sufficient quality time in the areas of our lives that are important to us. Investing quality time in an activity is being fully engaged in it. It is not merely about the amount of time spent. For example, ten minutes spent in a meaningful conversation with a loved one is better than spending hours together in the same room without interacting with each other. Here are my three tips to having a balanced life.
To achieve a work-life balance you first need to know what is important in every area of your life. Your health and emotional well-being are the most important. What kind of physical exercise do you enjoy? What is fun for you? How much money can you afford to spend on fun activities?
Family is also very important. A happy home environment has a positive impact on our work. What kind of family environment do you want to create? What activities do your family enjoy? What kind of people do you enjoy spending time with? Develop relationships with people whose company you enjoy.
Secondly, to ensure a work-life balance, schedule the important things in your life and then honour your schedule.
Lastly, get maximum value out of “free” time, weekends and holidays by including more than one area of your life in an activity and where possible do it with more of your significant people.
Observe The Golden Hour. It is an hour of physical exercise while you pray/ meditate and bring to mind your vision and your goals for the day.
Use travel time to listen to audio books on entrepreneurship and/or personal growth.
Take short breaks at work to do something you enjoy. Listen to your favourite music, call friends or watch a funny clip.
Plan family days out of the office with your staff to get to know them better in a different setting as you enjoy fun activities.
Involve your staff and/or family in community building activities that you enjoy.
Play a physical game with family to exercise while you enjoy their company.
Cook meals together sometimes. It is rewarding to enjoy a meal that you have prepared together.
For younger children use bath time or bedtime to really connect with them.
Have fun outings with friends.
Develop close friendships with entrepreneurs whose company you enjoy and attend workshops together.
Achieving a work-life balance is a dynamic activity. Circumstances change. You must be able to adapt but keep your focus on the important. Intentionally minimise time stealers like social media and TV watching.
Be one of the few people who invest time to transform ordinary time into quality time. You have only one life. Live it to the fullest.
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About the Author
After running her own branding company for 25 years, Nomvuyo founded BizOil Institute. She is enthusiastic about personal development, business coaching and entrepreneurship. She is also a mentor to business owners in the enterprise development space. Companies she works with include SAB Foundation; GIBS Enterprise Development Academy, Diageo, JP Morgan, TechnoServe South Africa; and the International Coaching Federation of SA ICFSA team. Visit her website, email her, or find her in LinkedIn and Facebook.
