Is there work/life balance as an entrepreneur? How do I get everything done, well, and manage a successful business and a successful family? These are questions that all entreprenuers ask and the ability to achieve it depends on your actions. Admittedly, I am of the mindset that there will always be room for improvement on both fronts which keeps me striving to do better.  I find that most entreprenuers feel this way as well. In my quest to do better and do more, I have found some some critical activities that work for me and most likely will work for you. 

As an entrepreneur, you eventually begin to see that your business and your personal life tend to intertwine so tightly that there is little distinction between the two. Make that work for you!

Clear Strategic Planning: Sitting down each year to create a clearly defined strategic plan helps to keep your business moving.  It lays out, specifically, what goals you are working toward and how you are going to get there.  A clear plan creates focus and intention in your actions and prevents you from having to figure it out during the year which can slow you down.  Also, create a strategic plan for your family which can include personal finances, family vacations/activities, and home improvements. Knowing what you have to achieve from a personal standpoint can help drive decisions or goals in your business. 

Disciplined Time Management:  In order to get it all done, you need to make time to do it. Creating a model week works incredibly well as you have set aside time to focus on specific areas (marketing, client service, continuing education, family time, exercise, etc).  The goal of the model week is to create smaller, consistent chunks of time to tackle those things that you have put in your strategic plan. For example, commit to not seeing clients on Fridays and dedicate that time to marketing planning or paperwork.  Schedule personal time in, as well, so that you are sure to take care of yourself.  A stressed out, unhappy business owner and Mom/wife/friend, hurts your professional and personal relationships and is not healthy. Stick to your model week and you will see your mountain of work become more manageable and things will get done. 

Hire or Barter Help: We all have strengths, weaknesses and too little time. Your time is valuable so focus on those things that you are good at and love to do and get help on those things that you aren't and don't. As a financial advisor, I have developed my own financial plan (business and personal) and stick to it because it's my strength and I like to do it. I can, but don't want to, do my taxes because it takes a lot of time, so I hire that out. Also, I have hired someone to take on light administrative work so I can focus on other areas that will help improve and grow my business.   When you do this, there should be an increase in income to offset the cost of the help because you are more focused on those things that will grow your revenue. If not, then re-evaluate. 

We all know there there is more to do than time in a day, both professionally and personally.  Setting a plan and being disciplined to get it done will help you grow your business, manage your family and keep your stress level down. These are all things that we need to keep moving forward, successfully! 

Bridget Connell 

Rachel Bauer

Beth Backen