| As an entrepreneur, your life can sometimes | | | | yourself with all you already do in the day? |
| seem like a juggling act. Your business is | | | | On work days, this could be as simple as a 15 |
| the realization of a dream and takes a | | | | minute bubble bath or curling up with a good |
| tremendous amount of work. But the effort is | | | | book before bed. On your days off, take a |
| incredibly rewarding and it should bring you | | | | walk for an hour, or go on a bike ride. Be |
| great satisfaction to know that you have no | | | | sure to allow your spouse the same. He or |
| one to answer to but yourself. This is what | | | | she needs time alone time as well. |
| you've always wanted, so you must be happy | | | | |
| | | | 4. Make to-do lists. In order to make the |
| Ask yourself this: what was your ultimate | | | | most of your workday, make lists and cross |
| goal in starting your business? You may | | | | things off as you accomplish them. Being a |
| respond that you wanted to achieve | | | | busy entrepreneur, it may sometimes seem as |
| independence from bosses, to have unlimited | | | | though you don't have enough time in a day to |
| income potential or to set your own hours. | | | | allocate to all the jobs you have to do. You |
| These answers all essentially mean one thing; | | | | will be amazed at how such a simple thing as |
| you went into business for yourself with the | | | | making a to-do list will keep you on track. |
| ultimate goal of being happy. But, spending | | | | Once you have crossed off most of the tasks |
| hour upon hour on your business is not going | | | | on your list you will feel proud of all that |
| to make for a happy family life. Finding a | | | | you have accomplished in the day. Remember |
| healthy balance between your business and | | | | though, if you are not finished your list at |
| your family life can be extremely | | | | the end of your scheduled workday, those |
| challenging, but it is essential in order to | | | | leftover tasks will have to go on tomorrow's |
| realize your ultimate goal of happiness. How | | | | list. |
| do you find time for family when your | | | | |
| business occupies so much of your day. The | | | | 5. Learn to delegate. You may find it |
| following are some tips to help you to | | | | difficult to let go of even some of the |
| achieve the ever elusive goal of achieving a | | | | smallest tasks. Your business is the |
| healthy balance: | | | | realization of your dream. How could you |
| | | | possibly leave any part of it in someone |
| 1. Create a schedule. Schedule your work | | | | else's hands? If you don't want your |
| time as well as your family time. Keep a | | | | business to run your life, you will have to |
| calendar or agenda with this schedule and | | | | learn to let go of some duties. Start with |
| stick to it. If you are feeling overwhelmed | | | | delegating little tasks and build from there. |
| and think that just a bit more work time will | | | | Once you have built up enough trust in the |
| help, think again. At the end of a long work | | | | person you are delegating to, you can start |
| day, you are in all probability feeling tired | | | | delegating a little more. If you have |
| and frustrated. Taking a look at things with | | | | employees, use them, that is what they are |
| fresh eyes the next morning will help you to | | | | there for. If you don't have the resources |
| complete the job properly. Time away from | | | | to hire an employee, you can still delegate |
| the task will help to rejuvenate you. | | | | by using contractors, such as Accountants, |
| | | | Bookkeepers and/or Virtual Assistants. All |
| 2. Prioritize. Your family is your number | | | | of these will cost you less than an employee |
| one priority, and don't forget it. When | | | | and will work from their own offices, so you |
| making your schedule, always plan family time | | | | don't have to provide them with a work space. |
| first and include some fun ideas in the | | | | Delegating will go a long way in allowing |
| schedule. After a long workday, you may be | | | | you to work more efficiently. It can also |
| too tired to think of fun things to do, and | | | | give you more family time. In fact, |
| might just end up in front of the T.V. This | | | | delegating chores in your house-hold will |
| is not quality family time. Adding fun items | | | | accomplish the same. Hire a house-keeper to |
| to your schedule in advance will help you to | | | | come in once every few weeks, or hire someone |
| follow through with your plans. Schedule a | | | | to mow your lawn or plow your driveway in the |
| trip to the park, an evening at the kid's | | | | winter. If these are not viable options, |
| favorite restaurant, or just playing ball in | | | | get your family to help. The more help you |
| the backyard. Don't forget to schedule some | | | | have, the faster the chores get finished and |
| time alone with your spouse. A weekly date | | | | the more time you will have for the fun |
| night will do wonders for your relationship. | | | | stuff. |
| Even if it's just enjoying a rented movie and | | | | |
| popcorn after the kids are in bed. Anything | | | | Remember you need to work on your family in |
| will do as long as it's not already a part of | | | | order to make it a success just as you do |
| your normal routine. | | | | your business. Achieving a healthy balance |
| | | | is not easy, but once you do, the rewards |
| 3. Be sure to have some time left for | | | | will out-weigh any of the hard work you put |
| yourself. This is often the most difficult | | | | into it. |
| time to schedule. How do you find time for | | | | |