Work-Life Balance: How to Maintain Your Sanity, Productively

If you have ever owned a small business or worked alongside someone who is trying to get a business off the ground, you’ve seen firsthand the importance of maintaining a constructive work-life balance. Frazzled business owners wake up in the morning, hit the ground running with a million hats on and, their day becomes a blur of meetings, phone calls, emails and productive work sessions. Far too often, they become stressed, exhausted and even irritable over just how full their plate of responsibilities has become with no chance to slow down in sight. This is when you, as a co-worker or friend, step in and say, “Hey, let’s go hit taco night for dollar beers and a few tacos, my treat!” Whammy! You’re helping them find balance. Let’s examine some great tips that will allow you the time you need to make things happen, yet provide a much-needed break from the hustle.

Tip #1 – Recognize there is no “perfect balance” when it comes to work-life balancing.

Let’s face it, with the technology of today, it’s tough to really put work down. Perhaps it’s the “ding ding” of a work email notification or the after-hours work-related phone call, it is a challenge to find a perfect balance between working and down time. Therefore, it’s recommended you set up a “time table” that allows you segments of the day dedicated to work and blocks of time where work isn’t even on the radar. Striving to find a realistic schedule that offers opportunity for both will dictate the priorities and how you use that time, wisely. Some days will be stacked with work while others may have some “light lifting” to be productive, allowing you some down time. Prioritizing your responsibilities and goals while blocking out the time needed to fulfill them is the foundation for good time management. Not every day has to be the same either, and mixing it up adds a little spice and flexibility as well.

Tip #2 – Put your personal health and well-being at the front of the line.

Ever see that business owner who physically works themselves into the ground because they are swamped with “pressing matters” and forget to eat, sleep or slow down enough to wear the same color socks? Truth is, neglecting your body and personal mental well-being is the equivalent of running your finely tuned sports car at a redline RPM, nonstop, with no oil or fluids in the engine. Let’s see how long that car lasts! Listening to your body’s needs should be your top priority in establishing a work-life balance. It’s tough to be productive if you’ve worked yourself sick! Getting sleep when you need sleep, eating balanced healthy meals when you are hungry and treating yourself well is essential in being productive on and off the jobsite. Neglecting your health isn’t going to help you work better either.

Tip #3 – Be sure to enjoy whatever it is your working on.

When you start up your own business or go into work for yourself, you often already have a passion to excel at whatever it is you are doing, so there is some love there. However, without establishing a good work-life balance up front, it’s easy to burn out, second guess your direction, lose motivation and potentially jeopardize your success. It’s essential that you really enjoy whatever it is you are dedicating your time to. If there isn’t a genuine passion, you will find it hard to press forward with the amount of effort needed to truly do it right. My father used to say, “If you love what you do for work, it’s not considered work at all.” He was an aircraft mechanic for 50+ years and, to this day, well into his 70s, he still lights up when he talks about his 40-hour work weeks in the hanger. Proof positive, it can be done.

Tip #4 – Don’t be afraid to disconnect from it all and recharge yourself.

One of the hardest things as a new business owner is the fear of missing out on an opportunity to grow. Always being on the clock often distracts you in ways that throw your work-life balance off without you even realizing it. Allowing yourself to turn off the phone, shut the computer off and remove yourself from work-related distractions is one of the healthiest ways to finding a work-life balance. In my opinion, the greatest pleasure can be found when traveling on vacation to a place that doesn’t have wifi, computers or a cellphone signal, forcing you to disconnect from life for a while. Welcome the opportunity to not hear the phone ring, email notifications pinging and back-and-forth correspondence. Even if it’s just for a one day, it’s imperative to be able to shut it all down and recharge yourself for a bit.

Tip #5 – Be sure to make time for yourself.

It was the lyrical genius of the Little River Band that once said, “Look around you, look up here… take time to make time and make time to be there.” Yes, they were talking about making a relationship work, however, their words are just as poignant when it comes to work-life balance too. After all, hopefully you’re in a relationship with your job AND your personal life. Spending too much time in one and not the other is going to have its respective repercussions. Therefore, it’s wise to budget time in for yourself that allows you to enjoy your hobbies, recreational activities, family, friends and the occasional vacation or weekend get-away. We all know that all work and no play can make anyone a dull person so, be sure to make time for playing and spending time with loved ones. At the end of the day, nothing beats a hot shower, maybe some TV and cuddle time with your significant other or family pet. Be sure to make that time happen.

Honestly, everyone is different when it comes to what they define as “balanced,” so finding what works best in your daily life is all you. Some may find that working 12 hours a day is what is required to meet goals and responsibilities, and they find ways of coping with that demand by becoming weekend warriors. Others may think that’s crazy and only work 6-8 hours a day while still producing their desired outcome. Regardless, it’s what works for them, individually, that matters most, so who are we to judge? So long as one can find a healthy, functional work-life balance that lets them live the life they envision, so be it. Being able to find that acceptable work-life balance is the fun of the game, so suit up, player, and make it happen!

Here at waterproofmenu.com, we have no problem achieving a solid work-life balance. We live on a beautiful stretch of islands that some would consider paradise and, as I type this, I can hear the waves crashing from the office. If you ever wanted to topple our balance by throwing us multiple menu orders, sign requests and design projects, feel free. We welcome the challenge to knock it all out BEFORE the wind switches up and tide drops for our afternoon surf session… wink wink.