The Struggle of Work-Life Balance as a New Small Business Owner

Owning your own business can benefit your life. You can pursue your passions, have more control over your schedule, and make your dreams of being a business owner a reality. However, transitioning from employee to small business owner can be an adjustment. One issue that many new small business owners struggle with is maintaining a work-life balance. Here's what you should know if you're considering starting a business. 

Don't overwork yourself

There's a lot to do when you're a brand-new business owner. It can be easy to overextend yourself because opening and managing a new business is hard work. But it's essential to remember that you can't do it alone, and it will take time to get settled into a routine. 

It's wise to make an effort to have a good work-life balance. If you struggle to do this, you may experience burnout. When you're overworked, it can be challenging to make business decisions, and you may make expensive mistakes. It's in your best interest to establish a work-life balance early on in your journey. 

Here are some tips that can help you better balance your professional responsibilities and personal responsibilities so you can be a happier and healthier small business owner. 

1. Establish set working hours (and honor them)

When you're a busy small business owner, you may feel tempted to work well beyond operating hours. But if you work long hours, you may not have time left to handle responsibilities outside of running your business. It's best to establish set working hours to hold yourself accountable. Setting a specific work schedule can allow you to develop healthy working habits to avoid overworking. But make sure you stick to the schedule you set for yourself.  

2. Hire help

There may come a time when you need to hire employees. There is only so much time in each day, and you can only do so much yourself. If you're struggling to maintain a work-life balance, you may want to consider hiring an employee to help with some tasks. 

Doing this can free up more time to focus on your personal needs. Of course, you'll want to ensure you can afford to hire someone, so it's essential to review your business finances first. If your small business checking account balance is low, you may need to wait to hire staff. 

Even if you can't afford to hire employees, you can free up more time by simplifying everyday business tasks. For example, you can use accounting software to manage bookkeeping tasks like invoicing and business expense tracking. Time savings can improve your work-life balance. 

3. Schedule breaks

Some business owners get so involved in their day-to-day business affairs that they forget to take breaks. You may make excuses for not taking a personal day off or scheduling a vacation. Do yourself a favor and schedule breaks. You'll be thankful you planned in advance and have something already on the calendar. Taking time off to rest is necessary for your mind and body.  

4. Make time for sleep, movement, and personal interests

In addition to freeing up your schedule for family and friends, remember to prioritize yourself. Taking good care of yourself can be beneficial for your business. Getting enough sleep, exercising, and spending some free time on your personal interests can be helpful. You'll feel happier, healthier, and refreshed, so your time spent working is more effective. 

Good time management skills are a must

Starting a new business can be fun and exciting. But you should manage your time well so you don't overwork yourself. Developing good time management skills can help you get more done and maintain a good separation between your business and personal life. Review our small business resources for additional tips to help you in your entrepreneurial journey.