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