Being a mompreneur can be tough. Between running a business and running a household, some days it feels like you’ll never get it all done. There are ways to find balance, though, and with these tips, you’ll be feeling more zen than ever before. Learn to balance the demands of home and work while thriving in your career and your role as mom.
Make Time for Breaks
One easy to way to find balance quickly is to take short breaks during your workday. Not only will this bode well for your sanity, but statistics also show that you’ll significantly increase productivity as well, by 34 percent to be exact.
At minimum, you should have a morning and afternoon break, in addition to your lunch break and productivity experts say that break should be 17 minutes, long enough to move around and shift your energy. These short breaks are enough to allow you to return to work with more clarity, renewed focus, and the desire to take on your next task.
Learn to Say No
As women who juggle many roles, we’re used to saying yes to just about everything. When you say yes to everything, however, you have less time to take care of the things that really matter in your life. “Learning how to say ‘no’ is one of the most important skills that all mompreneurs need to learn in order to find the holy grail of work-life balance. Think of how many times you said ‘no’ to your kids. So why is it so hard to do the same thing when it comes to your business associates?” says Tamara Luzajic with Humanity.com.
Learn to hesitate before making a new commitment. Saying to a client, customer or work partner, “Let me get back to you on that” is not only acceptable, but will also allow you the time to decide if it’s something you need to say no to right now.
Find a Fitness Routine—That Works For You
You may feel that your days are too packed to squeeze in a workout regimen, but remember that you can’t take care of your family or run a business if you’re sick. “We know that our children are our top priority. However most of the time we neglect ourselves because we are taking care of our families and businesses. Health, wellness, and fitness are components that are equally important along with self-care, so it is important to incorporate these three things in our daily schedules,” says Patrice Tartt with The Huffington Post.
Use apps like the Nike Training app or websites like FitnessBlender that provide free workouts of all lengths, from 10 to 70 minutes—so you can easily find one that fits your schedule. Better yet, find an activity that you truly enjoy and incorporate it into your weekly schedule. Playing tennis with girlfriends, going hiking with a group, or swimming every morning may feel like indulgences, but they’ll provide you with more focus and energy, and help you maintain a strong, healthy body.
Improve Your Time Management
Time management truly is the key to getting it all done and balancing both home and family life with your business life. “Make a daily schedule that works for your needs,” says Jill Phillips, with Smarthustle.com. “Having a routine helps you to make the most of your time. If possible, try to make your schedule consistent on a daily basis. Having your tasks scheduled helps you to prevent wasting time thinking about what needs to be done or what you should be doing next.”
Don’t forget to pencil time with the family into your schedule, like you would with any other priority. More importantly, keep this time separate from your business. Setting boundaries on your time will help you feel that you’re truly giving your kids the attention they deserve when you’re with them.
Do What You Love
If you’re forcing yourself to do work everyday, it can be even harder to find balance because you’re unhappy. “In my experience as an entrepreneur, I have found that it’s much easier to make the time to do my job when I’m loving what I do,” says MeiMei Fox, contributing writer for Forbes.com.
Having a passion for what you do is the key to being able to do the work without feeling like you’re doing something you “have to do.” When you love what you do you’ll find yourself fitting the job into your life in ways that allow you to truly combine life and work seamlessly.
Mompreneurs, know that you can find balance in your life, it just takes a little extra work. When you plan out a regular schedule, make more time for breaks and set boundaries, you’ll be able to enjoy what you do while giving your family love and attention. Use these tips to make your life happier, successful, and more relaxed.
Photo by Thought Catalog
Jessica Thiefels
