How To Achieve A Work And Life Balance with Online Entrepreneurship
If you are anything like most people. You want to find that perfect balance between your personal life and your work life. Rest assured; it is not always an easy task.
After all, if it were something simple then most likely everyone would be doing it.
Instead, it takes a little finesse. Most of all though, it requires some time management skills.
You will have to learn how to have a plan, be patient. Compromise a little bit and think about things that may be far into the future.
Knowing how to achieve a work and life balance. Maybe the saving grace to your online entrepreneurship journey.
Can Online Entrepreneurs Have Work-Life Balance?
Entrepreneurs thrive on a hustle culture. It’s what keeps them going when times are tough.
But it can also lead to burnout and even mental health issues if the problem isn’t addressed early on.
That’s why work-life balance is so important for internet entrepreneurs.
Why Do Online Entrepreneurs Need to Balance Work and Play?
Entrepreneurs can develop an agenda for all tasks at work and at home and stick to the same. Time management plays an integral role in leading a stress-free lifestyle.
Thus, entrepreneurs can set a timetable that can allow them to plan their day better.
In fact, a New York Enterprise Report poll. Found that small business owners/entrepreneurs work twice as much as everyday employees.
And that 25% of owners/entrepreneurs work more than 60 hours a week to make sure their companies stay afloat.
What Are the Dangers of a Work-Life Imbalance?
Work-life balance is somewhat of a trending topic these days. Especially as remote work becomes more accepted.
Researchers have also been evaluating the impact of work-life balance for a while now. I found one study to be especially eye-opening.
A study published in the European Heart Journal. Examined the risk of atrial fibrillation in people who worked more than 55 hours per week. Compared to those who worked 35-40 hours per week.
The researchers studied over 85,000 working men and women around age 43. 10 years in more than 1,000 of those people had developed new cases of atrial fibrillation.
After the study concluded. The researchers determined that people who worked over 55 hours per week. Were 1.4 times more likely to get atrial fibrillation than people who worked fewer hours.
Atrial fibrillation is a diagnosed type of heart disease. That is known to lead to stroke, heart failure, and certain types of dementia.
Another powerful study in the Journal of Personnel Psychology. Followed a group of over 2,000 high-school graduates throughout their lives. Interviewed them on their education, occupations, and emotional experiences.
When researchers followed up with the group in 2011. The people who spent their lives working in stressful job environments.
Where over 15% more likely to have died than people who reported having a sense of control at their jobs.
Let us explore how online entrepreneurs can lead a successful professional and personal life by finding a middle ground. Through which they can give equal importance to both.
How To Achieve Work and Life Balance
Patience is a Virtue
When running your own business on the Internet. You are going to become frustrated at some point.
Making rash decisions because of your heightened emotions. Is a wonderful way to lose everything you have been working for.
Try instead to be patient with yourself, the process. Love yourself and who you are becoming.
Give your self-care. Give the same care to those you love.
Having patience will teach you how to find the flaws in your system of work-life balance and fix them.
Set a Routine & Focus on Building Lifestyle into Your Brand
As an online entrepreneur, it can be difficult to keep track of every single detail in your life. And still, take some time out for yourself.
So, it is necessary to keep track of one’s lifestyle and set some time aside for every task.
One effective way to survive a time crunch is to get into some sort of a workable routine each day.
This is an asset to an online entrepreneur. Who is looking for ways to improve their method of business.
Online Entrepreneurs can develop an agenda for all tasks at work and at home and stick to the same.
Develop A New Hobby
Becoming a successful entrepreneur requires a lot of grit and dedication.
The get-up-and-go attitude of entrepreneurs is their trademark. It is what makes them stand out among their peers.
But these things can take a toll on their lives if they are not careful. They expect to live up to the expectations that others. Or they themselves have set to succeed.
Although it demonstrates pure determination. Entrepreneurs need to make sure that they do not burn themselves out in that process.
As mentioned in the previous point. Entrepreneurs need to set some time aside for themselves to recharge.
They can invest some time in developing a new hobby or pursue the ones they already have.
Indoor/outdoor games like playing pool or going fishing. Artisanship or playing in the local band, etc.
These are some examples, which can help alleviate stress. Allowing them to achieve peace of mind from time to time.
They can involve their friends in such activities. Which would allow them to stay in touch with their social circle.
Establish Some Boundaries
To achieve ‘Zen,’ i.e., the balance between professional and personal life.
It is advisable to establish boundaries between the two. So that any chance of interruption is avoided.
It is true that both can become demanding, sometimes at the same time.
One may need to send an urgent E-mail or get an urgent call when they are home. Or may have to deal with a family emergency while at work.
These things are a part & parcel of life and the way we deal with such situations can have a lasting impact.
Although both are important. Entrepreneurs should try to avoid it. Non-emergent work while spending quality time with loved ones.
And at the same time tell their families and/or friends to set standards on what may be considered an emergency.
Learn to Switch off
Nowadays, it is hard to imagine living a lifestyle that does not involve technology in some form or other.
People have embraced it as a necessary part of life. Entrepreneurs have adopted technology in both their lives and their work. Because it has helped them in increasing efficiency.
Nonetheless, these benefits can also become frequent interruptions. Adding to the problems of an entrepreneur. Who lacks self-control.
Access to technology is a good thing, but it should be noted that it is not a necessity.
Instead of staying in constant touch with one’s business associates. Entrepreneurs should know when to stop.
And focus on cherishing private moments with their loved ones. Business deals can happen anytime, special memories can be created once.
Delegate
Avoid being a ‘Jack of all trades (and master of none).’ It may seem like a great idea. To take ownership of every single responsibility.
At home and at work. Since it gives an entrepreneur a sense of power, of being the ‘Leader’ to whom everybody looks up.
However, it is best to realize that multitasking. Should be reserved for unique requirements. Or when essential in an emergency.
Any successful person knows that people are not superheroes.
They can falter at times. And make mistakes when taking accountability for many tasks.
Therefore, online entrepreneurs should realize that delegating work can help with being efficient. Managing their business with minimal scope for error.
If required, online entrepreneurs can always hire an assistant. Who can help them in planning and managing their tasks.
Staying True to Oneself
Finally, entrepreneurs should never compromise on their principles.
They should identify what matters to them and be honest about it.
Any kind of thought or need could affect their work-life balance. Should always be communicated.
An entrepreneur should always accept the fact that when it comes to work and family. The latter holds greater importance.
Investing time in personal relationships can improve the life of an online entrepreneur. As well as create a dedicated support system.
Compromise To Make Big Changes in Real-Time
If you are unwilling to compromise on certain matters. Then you might end up wasting too much of your precious time.
Often, being wise about time management means nipping things in the bud. Before they become a problem.
Some online entrepreneurs get too caught up in small matters. And in the end, they find themselves wondering why their ventures flopped.
Nobody said it was going to be easy. But running an online business and having a work-life balance is very rewarding if you do it right.
In Conclusion
It should be noted that being an entrepreneur should never be an excuse to compromise. On either one’s work or one’s family. On a continual basis. The keyword here is balance!
I learned this when my father and husband were transitioning from earth to heaven.
It was a challenging time navigating work and the reality that my loved ones were leaving me. And that I was running out of time to spend with them.
I had to figure out how to make first things first. And not neglect my business. Because I still had to live when they left.
I am reclaiming my time. Now and putting things in perspective.
Prioritizing, balancing, building my online business, and living life to the fullest!
Hopefully, this post inspires you to do the same. Especially those of us who are called to be entrepreneurs in the online space.
Leave your thoughts in the comment section! Subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media.
Work and life balance is so important. I have many health issues that I believe stem from too much stress. I feel that stress has been slowly killing me. When I was young I used to hear that stress was a killer… I never took it seriously the cumulative effects of stress had not showed up yet. But now I understand why “they” say that. The first step is to remove the stressors in life that are doing the most damage. Work and life balance is key. But, always remember that loving both your work and your life are important regardless of anything else. If you don’t love what you do, it will destroy you. If you don’t love your life (marriage, relationships, living situation) it will destroy you. You need to feel love from your home life to love your home life. You need to feel love from your work (feeling of satisfaction in what you do and get back from it) then nothing will change. Yes, you are so right. some compromise is always necessary. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Yes, Arizona! Stress will definitely kill you if you aren’t careful. Work-life balance is important to the human experience. Thank you for your feedback!
I believe the most challenging part for most people is to learn how to switch off. We were used to technologies every day, and it became a habit. But, based on my experience, switching off is beneficial. I’ve tried it a few times. It clears my mind, and it helps me regain focus. This article is relatable not only for online entrepreneurs but almost everyone.
Yes, Sugiya! Anyone can benefit from the tips listed. Thank you for commenting!