We all want to have our cake and eat it. That’s human nature. However, when it comes to owning your own business and staying on top of family life at the same time, that can come with a lot of juggling, sacrifices and grey hairs.
I run a thriving, fast growing PR agency while bringing up two young children. Both are responsibilities I love, and both bring challenges in different ways. So, to ensure that my Yin is in balance with my Yang, here’s my 5 tips:
Surround yourself with great people you can rely on
The same way you build a great team behind your business, do the same in your personal life. Whether this is your partner, parents, family or friends or even the school, creating that support network around you is critical. People you can rely and lean on for reliable, solid childcare. The ability to be able to work anytime, anywhere does of course help however don’t be afraid to ask others for a hand.
Don’t feel guilty for being busy
But be there for the key moments. Working continuously day and night is no good for anyone, including your own health and wellbeing however, you can forget about a 9-5 work life when running a business. Parent or no parent, running a business demands pretty much most of your time, especially at the early stages of growth. This can mean sacrifices such as not doing as many school drop offs or picks ups as you’d perhaps like. However, don’t beat yourself up over this. You can’t do everything, but make sure you’re there for the key moments like the school play or the end of year prize giving, or some bedtime stories or family meals. It’s a balancing act that, when the scales are level, can bring great rewards for all the family to enjoy.
Don’t be a busy fool
And learn to say no. Remember that your time is extremely valuable. Be protective of it. Don’t overcommit and don’t waste time on tasks which will generate very little value for you, your business or your family. Before agreeing to things, whether that’s a meeting or a project request, check is this worth it? Is this something one of my team can handle? Can we achieve the same outcome by doing it virtually or by other means? If not, learn to say no. You have very little time as it is so, ensure that what little precious time you have is spent wisely.
Outsource where you can
As a business owner and parent there are many times you’ll find yourself emailing between 6am and midnight. There’s always another job to add to the ‘to do’ list and always something or someone that needs your attention. Gain some of that time back by outsourcing those tasks that don’t play to your strengths. Instead, ensure that your energy is focused on tasks that you’re best at and you’ll soon find that you can achieve a lot more and, at the same time, leaving a little time left over for you and your family.
Know when to switch off
I must admit, this is one I’m not personally very good at. It might be because I truly do love what I do and to see the business grow. However, no matter how much you enjoy your job when you’re constantly juggling the demands of a business against the needs of your family, it’s important to ensure that there’s always a little ‘me’ time left over somewhere, sometimes. This might be just a quick half an hour for a run or a coffee with a friend. Whatever this is, make sure you can find some time for it as you’ll feel a lot better for it.
Knowing when to switch off also sends a positive message to your team – leaving you and your workforce much more energised and productive.
