Finding the Balance

It’s Family Day here in Ontario, a holiday recently created by the government to give us an opportunity to spend quality time with our families. I was considering a blog post that would tie this topic to home-based business, when I read about a contest where you have to answer the question, “What is your biggest challenge in trying to find a balance among your business, your family, and your own needs?” Don’t you just love it when a blog topic is just dropped in your lap like that?

I admit right up front that my challenges aren’t as difficult as those faced by people with young children at home. By the time I started my business, my kids were at the age that fitting parents into their schedules was more of an issue than vice versa. However, in those early days, I was still working at an outside job for about 30 hours a week, and working on my business on evenings and weekends. I did have a specific cut-off time each night when I would pack in the work and spend an hour or two with my husband before bed, and attended weekly yoga classes for my own well-being, but my life was definitely out of balance. Fortunately, that crazy schedule ended when I left my job (four years ago this month – yay!).

Now I try to maintain balance by sticking to a work schedule similar to what I’d have with a regular job – at least in theory.

I say “in theory” because:

• I start work much earlier than if I had to go somewhere, since I prefer to get a few things out of the way while I enjoy my first coffee, before my breakfast and shower – an option not available when you have to GO to work!
• I don’t take regular coffee breaks (I never did appreciate those in my past jobs – they usually seemed like an interruption to me)
• I rarely take a full hour for lunch
• I usually work on Saturday (but that time is reserved for working on my business, rather than client work, and I find it relaxing)

When you live and work in the same place, it can be very difficult to completely separate the two, especially when you work with your spouse! Sometimes it feels like I’m always at work, and the only way around that is to go out somewhere. On the other hand, being my own boss, I have the flexibility to take longer lunches if I’m meeting with someone, take time off as needed for medical appointments, car service, and other errands – business or personal. I’ve even been known to pack up early on a Friday and head to my sister’s for the weekend. In addition, I nearly always wrap things up by 5pm, rarely do any work in the evenings, and Sundays are nearly always spent relaxing with my husband.

I think my biggest challenge is one faced by most women, regardless of their family or working status, and that is making time for myself. That’s probably why my personal library includes such titles as The Working Woman’s Guide to Managing Time, The 25 Hour Woman, Mom Management: Managing Mom Before Everybody Else, and Beyond Juggling: Rebalancing Your Busy Life.

In good weather, I go out and walk alone or with a friend for an hour or so before beginning my workday, and I really enjoy the physical, mental, and emotional benefits that brings me, but with our cold Canadian winters, it’s much harder to get motivated to get out there. I’m trying to spend more time on personal interests, such as creating greeting cards, cooking, and taking photos with my new camera, but so far have not made it part of my regular routine. I’m afraid that if I “schedule” me time, it will feel like something I have to do instead of a treat, yet if I don’t schedule it, it usually doesn’t happen.

I’d love to know how YOU balance the needs of your business, your family, and yourself, so please leave a comment. And if you’d like a chance to win a copy of Kimberley Reddington’s new e-course, Finding Balance as an Entrepreneur Mom, be sure to leave a comment on the Organising Queen‘s blog too!

Photo courtesy of Lucy Boynton