How to Balance a Growing Business and Devoted Family Life
Summary to balance a growing business and devoted family life:
You're an entrepreneur who wants to balance your growing business with a devoted family life. It can be hard to manage your time and keep everyone happy. Juggling work and family responsibilities can feel like you're trying to balance on a tightrope.
As a wife, mom, and experienced small business owner who has learned how to successfully balance my business and family life, I'm here to share the same tips I used that can help you too!
How do you balance business success with family devotion?
This is one of the biggest struggles I’ve personally gone through in my 15+ years as a business owner.
I always knew I wanted to own a business and contribute financially to my family. I also knew I wanted the freedom to become a mom and be where I needed to be when it mattered most. Finding that balance and developing the ability to know when and how to make certain choices between those two areas of my life was quite the journey...
…And a lesson that I love sharing with others who aim to be able to do the same.
My Personal Experience with A Work-Life Balance:
I started my own business when my children were one and three years old. At first, I was able to balance work and life beautifully. It was working well. My business was gaining traction. I had already hired somebody. But then the great recession hit, and my business immediately went south.
At that point, I thought that the right move was to double down on my business immediately so that I could spend time with my family later. I expected this whole “doubling down” thing would last a few weeks or months, but it eventually turned into years. I found myself in a place where I was working 80-hour work weeks to try and make things happen in my business. I finally hired some help and was able to grow my business back to where I wanted it. You’d think that at that point, I would have taken a well-deserved rest, right? Nope. Even though all of my “success” markers were checked off, I couldn’t find it in me to stop working. I was too scared of having to start from scratch again that I didn’t give myself the freedom to step back from my business.
I Was Forced to Step Back from My Business:
Then, in 2012, my husband and I decided to move from Houston to Dallas to help with our extended family that needed additional assistance. At this point, I wasn’t really left with a choice. I needed to pull myself out of my business – at least a little bit – in order to make that move happen.
After 6 months of focusing on my family more than my business, I remember sitting down looking at the numbers in my business and being shocked that we grew 25%. I was surprised because the success was not tied to my hours of effort. The goal was never for me to work like a mad woman, but the problem was that I was too scared to stop. I had kept myself busy in my business and never allowed my team the opportunity to step up and prove that they knew what they were doing.
I started playing a little game when I finally saw that the growth was still possible despite my dip in hours. A game of “How few hours can I work and still grow in this business?”.
It’s turned out to be one of the most exciting, most fruitful games I’ve ever played. Now, I want to share some of the tips I’ve learned from the experience and share them with you all!
Check out these FOUR TIPS for balancing success with a fulfilling family life:
How to Balance a Growing Business and Devoted Family Life
1. It’s not about conflict; it’s about harmony.
The phrase “work-life balance” already puts those things in conflict with each other. It suggests that we can only choose one or the other. Instead, it’s essential to understand that these components are two halves of a whole. In order to conceptualize this concept, I like to think of it in terms of how you might raise two children. You will find that what works for one child does not always work for the other child. And although the strategies that you choose for each one might be different, their health and well-being are still equally important.
There needs to be harmony in your attention to both without feeling the need to pin them against each other or make either of them feel neglected. This requires a mindset shift that starts with logically evaluating how you can manage both sides effectively…and scheduling. Lots and lots of scheduling.
Write events and to-dos in your calendar; don’t leave it to chance that you will get this or that done. If you put down that 7 am is the time that you’re going to start creating a lead list, then 7 am is the time that you WILL make that lead list. No ifs and or buts.
Remember that the same goes for ANY commitment you make, not just the ones you make for clients.
If we are going to have harmony between our work-life and family-life, we need to honor our own personal commitments, too! When you start making a schedule, it's important not to be too myopic. It’s not about creating more of a balance in ONE day but instead creating the balance over time.
For example:
When I am doing a launch in my business, it takes about 7-8 weeks of effort prior to getting to this launch. I work more in my business during this time than at any other time of year. That may mean that I delay some things like doctor's appointments and check-ins with my friends for a bit. It also means though, that I allow recovery time after the launch, both for myself and my family.
2. Delegate
I want you to stop asking “How?” and I want you to, instead, start asking yourself “Who?”
Delegation can happen in many ways and isn’t limited to the business side of your life only. For example, this year, we had a client whose team was still highly reliant on her. She was becoming more successful in business, but she felt like balls were being dropped from the air in her personal life. It was apparent that she needed a house manager or personal assistant because, c’mon, does it matter who’s doing the laundry as long as it still gets done?
Ask yourself,
3. Take breaks.
You need to take time to rejuvenate from the everyday tasks of your work-life and family life. You need to create the space and time to relax. This time can be used to problem-solve, to start figuring out your “whos” and “wheres” in your personal and business life.
Note: Not only should you be setting aside time daily to charge, but also weekly. You are not a machine, friends. Permit yourself to take the time to reset and recharge.
4. Find a support group.
Finding a support network, whether personally, in business, or with family, is critical.
One of our conversations in our Mastermind Group is about our time management and balance. We discuss balance for entrepreneurs that have children as well as for those that don’t have children.
We’re able to ask each other questions like:
Conclusion:
Like anything else, finding balance is a journey of ups and downs and trial and error. With these five tips, however, you can pick up on the necessary skills and strategies quicker than you thought possible and start feeling that much-needed sense of equilibrium again.
Additionally, if you’re having trouble finding some support in your life, whether personally or professionally, we have an incredible group of entrepreneurs who are waiting with open arms to support you… no matter where you are in your journey. Find time on my calendar that fits with yours and let's chat about it!
Leslie Hassler
Leslie Hassler is a popular author and speaker who spends much of her time coaching business owners on how to run their growing businesses by their rules. Delivering high-touch, personalized service, Leslie works with her clients as a partner, not just a consultant (who would pop in, tell you what to do, then leave).
Leslie teaches her clients a structured way to decide what to do first, second, next -- and never – in their businesses, so that they can learn to do it for themselves.
Leslie lives in Dallas with her husband and two kids, so she knows it’s not just about growing the business – it’s about getting the business ship shape so it grows and you can be home in time for dinner.
Leslie speaks on topics such as business leadership, prioritizing the business owner’s To Do list, and how to create and implement a strategic plan for growth.
If you’d like to have Leslie come speak to your group or organization, or present at your event, inquire here.