Live the Life You Love -- A Balancing Act

Do you ever feel that life is a balancing act of returning phone calls, emails, client appointments and dealing with the daily challenges of running your business, then juggling all that with time for family and friends? If so, you’re not alone!

Most entrepreneurs and professionals start businesses because of values they hold, work they enjoy and are good at, and a desire to take more control of their lives. The new entrepreneur must wear the many hats of CEO, receptionist, sales manager, marketing director and janitor all rolled into one, and it’s easy to get out of balance by yielding to the pressure of business. The once-cherished values are often forced to take a back seat in the busy, demanding world of the small business owner.

If you feel your life is unbalanced, then it probably is. Take the following Life Balance Quiz and check to see if you need to make some adjustments.

You Are Probably Out of Balance if You’re too Busy to:

• Get the quantity and quality of sleep you need
• Take time for regular exercise
• Watch your diet and eat the right stuff
• Enjoy regular, quality time with your family
• Maintain a balanced social life
• Continue your own personal and professional education: studying, reading and learning to further develop your skills
• Spend time in your spiritual area
• Take time to nurture yourself, relax and just have fun!

Keep in mind that the sacrifices you make as a business owner often involve your family too. If you have children, then their physical and emotional needs must still be met.

The Potential Dangers of Continuing Out of Balance

1. Experience personal burnout and sabotage everything you’ve worked hard to build
2. Damage the relationships that are important to you, hurting those you love most
3. Lose sight of your values and what is really important to you
4. Wreck your health

When I received a phone call from Dave recently, telling me that he had been in an accident and his car was totaled, the office crises I was dealing with suddenly became unimportant. Thankfully Dave was unhurt, but this was a reminder to us of the brevity of life and a reminder to recognize every day as a precious gift to be grateful for, to be savored and spent wisely. When a catastrophe occurs in our life or in our family, we quickly acquire a different perspective.

The Benefits of a Balanced Life

In addition to physical and emotional health, and the enjoyment of others -- especially friends and family -- a balanced life results in peace of mind and freedom from guilt caused by not being able to cope with all you’ve committed to do.

Tips to Get Back in Balance

• Identify your core values and let them guide you
• Understand when your ‘prime time’ is and maximize it
• Recognize and accept your limitations, and give yourself permission to put some projects on hold for now in order to give attention to what is more important
• Worry less about what others think and tell us we should or shouldn't be doing
• Learn to say “no”
• Relax! Take ‘play breaks’ during the day. After a few moments of play, you’ll have renewed energy and concentration
• Learn to switch off at the end of your workday
• Devote one day a week to family or relaxing and nurturing yourself

Running a successful, growing business and maintaining a balanced life is an ongoing challenge. Take time for regular check-ups in this area and readjust where necessary in order to be successful over the long haul. Enjoy the journey, and you’ll be able to look back with satisfaction on a well-balanced life.