The Struggle For Balance is Real

When you are running a household while also running a business or a busy career, but is balance really possible?

by Patti Minglin

Between your family, home, and professional obligations, your time gets stretched. It’s inevitable. Even the simplest of tasks can seem overwhelming—leaving you feeling that no matter what you are doing, you are not doing it right. Is it even possible to find a balance between your work life and your family life?

The ugly truth is this: there is no such thing as work/life balance. “Stop striving for work life balance. It just doesn’t exist,” says Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran, who also happens to be a mother of two. In fact, Corcoran argues that trying to find this balance actually puts your work life and family life in conflict.

The solution?

Divide and conquer.
Clearly divide your attention and time between work and home, allowing yourself to be in the moment. “Today, I devote certain times of day totally to my family and other times to work,” says Corcoran. “This way I can give my full attention to the responsibilities at hand without distraction from others.” In order for this to work, you need to do a few things first:

Set Boundaries
Chaos exists in the absence of boundaries. While you may not be able to schedule everything, do set guidelines for times when you will be focused on work and times when you will be available for family—leaving some wiggle room for the unexpected.

Talk to Your Family
In addition to communicating the boundaries you have set, let your family know why you have set them. Tell them about your business, invite them to visit, let them know what you are trying to create and how they can be a part of it. This will make them better understand why you need to spend time at work.

Prioritize
In both business and family there are certain events and activities that take precedence over others. Make a list of the items that are important (child’s birthday, monthly payroll, etc.) and mark them on your calendar first. This will help you make better decisions on where you should focus your time and energy.

Delegate
One of the hardest things for small business owners to do is also one of the most important: delegate. The most successful of businesses are those where the owner does not have to micromanage every decision. Build a team you can trust with people who can take the reins when needed—and then let go.

Get Healthy
Never underestimate the power of healthy living. Taking care of yourself both physically and mentally will give you the energy—and focus—you need to get the most out of your business and personal life.

The bottom line: be present. When you are at work be present at work and when you are at home be present with your family. When your two worlds learn to co-exist, you will find the balance you need.  

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Patti Minglin is a passionate storyteller who started in the newspaper industry and now runs her own content marketing company, Go Girl Communications. Learn more about her at gogirlcommunications.com.