If you are a mom with either a business or side hustle, this article is for you.
As a working mom, I bet you often find yourself juggling the demands of running a business (or side hustle) along with the responsibilities of taking care of your family. It can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies in place, it is certainly possible to achieve a healthy balance.
One of the key elements of balancing family life and entrepreneurship is setting clear boundaries. It's important to set aside dedicated times for work and for family, and to stick to those boundaries as far as possible. This will help you to be more present and focused when you are with your family, and more productive when you are working. I realize that life happens and that this is not always possible, so please give yourself grace and allow yourself to be human.
Prioritizing tasks is another crucial aspect of balancing work and family life. As a working mother, you likely have a long list of responsibilities and it can be easy to get overwhelmed.
To help manage your workload, try making a list of your tasks and prioritize them based on importance. This will allow you to focus on the most critical tasks first, and help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list. Your to-do list will also help you to identify where you are overextending yourself and possibly what you need to do less of or even stop doing altogether.
Also, consider when you feel the most energized during the day. For me, it’s the morning. I have the highest energy level, in the morning, after I have my coffee of course, lol.. So this is when I tackle tasks that tend to take the most time, concentration, and focus to do.
The ‘easier’ tasks such as; responding to emails or posting on social media, I usually do a bit later in the day, when my energy levels tend to dip. These tasks don't require much effort and brain power from me, I can do them on autopilot, I can literally do them while sitting on the sofa, with my favorite series on in the background.
Delegating tasks is also essential for maintaining a healthy balance between work and family. As a business owner, it can be tempting to try to do everything yourself, but it is important to recognize that you cannot do everything on your own. By delegating tasks to others, you can free up time for your family and allow yourself to focus on the most important tasks for your business.
If you struggle with handing tasks over to others, I have some food for thought to munch on: the person taking over the task will not do it in the same manner that you would, and truth be told; the work will probably not be done to your exact standard, and that is ok - ‘done is better than perfect’ and, freeing up your time is totally worth it. Learning how to delegate, to trust our support system and to hand over control is all part of the entrepreneurial process.
Seeking support from others is also vital for balancing family life and entrepreneurship. Building a strong network of friends, family, and colleagues who can offer support and encouragement can be incredibly helpful when times get tough. Don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it, whether it's asking a friend to watch your kids for a few hours or seeking the advice of fellow business owners.
Finally, taking care of yourself is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance between work and family. Make sure to take breaks, get enough sleep, and prioritize self-care activities like exercise and relaxation. Taking care of yourself will help you to be more energized and focused, and better able to handle the demands of both work and family life.
By setting clear boundaries, prioritizing tasks, delegating when necessary, seeking support, and taking care of yourself, you can successfully balance family life and entrepreneurship as a working mother. It won't always be easy, but with determination and the right strategies in place, you can achieve the balance you need to thrive in both your personal and professional life.