Beyond the Business: The Value of Work-Life Balance for Small Business Owners

As a small business owner or entrepreneur, getting caught up in the daily grind of running a business can be easy. However, it is important to remember that prioritizing rest, balance, and self-care is essential for achieving personal happiness and professional success.

Consider Max's story:

Max had always been drawn to the idea of running his own business, and for the first few years it was in operation, his passion for his work fueled every aspect of his life. Max had worked for years in the hospitality industry and was drawn to the idea of running his own business. As his desire to become an entrepreneur grew, Max took a trip to a part of the world's "Coffee Belt" in Central America. He was blown away by the variety and complexity of the coffee flavors he tasted in Colombia and Brazil and spent hours learning about the different roasts, blends, and brewing techniques used. Max couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted to bring that experience back home with him. He suddenly knew it was time to start his own business.

With his hospitality background and newfound passion for coffee, Max poured his heart and soul into creating the perfect coffee shop - a cozy, trendy spot that became a favorite among locals. He spent months experimenting with different roasts and blends, perfecting his recipes until he was satisfied that he had created something truly special. Max had finally found a way to combine his passion for coffee with his desire to run his own business, and he was thrilled to see his hard work paying off. 

But as his business grew, Max began to feel the strain of the long hours and constant demands of running a small business. Max found himself burnt out from working long hours without any rest or relaxation. Additionally, as his business grew, he found himself increasingly bogged down by the administrative tasks that come with running a company.

Tasks that once seemed manageable - managing payroll, bookkeeping, and scheduling - began to feel like a heavy burden, taking him away from interacting with his customers and creating new coffee blends. Increasingly trapped at his desk in the back of the store, Max began missing the touchpoints with his customers and the beans that kept him excited and energized by his work. He started dreading going to the coffee shop. The administrative tasks wore on in a never-ending cycle, and he felt like he was losing the passion that drove him to start his business in the first place.

One day, Max woke up feeling completely exhausted. He felt like he had been running on a hamster wheel, going through the motions of work without feeling any joy. Max knew he needed to make a change. He closed the coffee shop for a day and walked through the city, trying to clear his mind and figure out what he needed to do to achieve balance.

As Max walked, he saw people hurrying around him, going to work, having lunch with friends and family, running errands, and living their lives. He realized he had been so focused on his passion that his life had become unbalanced. Suddenly, work felt like... work. The added stress and pressure of his business's administrative tasks kept him from even experiencing the happiness his work had provided in the past. 

Max knew that he needed to incorporate rest and balance into his life if he was going to be truly happy.

He made a list of things he enjoyed doing outside of work, like reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends. He decided to set aside time each day for these activities, even if it meant closing the coffee shop early. He also brought on a talented virtual assistant who specialized in administrative support. Max discovered that for just a small monthly investment, his virtual assistant could quickly and efficiently take care of many of the tasks Max dreaded. 

At first, it was difficult for Max to step away from work and focus on himself. He worried that his customers would be unhappy with the changes he was making, and he struggled to turn off his work brain. However, as his relationship with his virtual assistant grew, he increasingly began to trust her to execute many back-office support tasks. He began to feel more and more confident stepping away from his desk to interact with customers and even leaving the coffee shop altogether to attend family events and to spend time with friends. As Max started to reprioritize his days and focus on creating a healthier balance in his life, he found himself energized and excited again about his business. 

With the help of his virtual assistant and a renewed focus on self-care and balance, Max achieved a healthier work-life balance. He realized that balance wasn't about working less, but about working smarter. With more time and renewed energy, Max continued to pour his heart and soul into his coffee shop, but he also made time for the things he loved outside of work. He was able to create new blends of coffee and connect with his customers on a deeper level, all while feeling fulfilled outside of work. 

By running his coffee shop on his own renegotiated terms, Max is even happier than before. He has come to realize that his entrepreneurial journey is about much more than just coffee - it is about creating a space where people can come together and connect. 

The journey we are all on is about finding a way to live a more fulfilling and balanced life. That is the true definition of success.

TIPS FOR FINDING BALANCE

Finding balance between work and personal life is essential for a busy entrepreneur's mental and physical well-being. Some of the best ways you can achieve balance are:

• Prioritize tasks & Schedule Work and Fun

Do you really need to calendar rest into your schedule? YES. Put it on the calendar and take it as seriously as you do a meeting with a prospective client.

• Take breaks

Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help reduce stress and increase productivity. Use the 20-20-20 method. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away from your computer for 20 seconds.

• Set boundaries

Avoid checking emails or taking work calls outside of work hours, and make sure to disconnect from work when spending time with family or friends.

• Say No & Practice Self Care

Say no to unnecessary commitments and instead take that time to cultivate self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or getting a good night's sleep. 

• Delegate

Stop doing everything yourself! Delegating tasks can free up time and reduce stress.

DELEGATE SUPPORT TASKS TO FREE UP TIME

Many small business owners have found that working with a virtual assistant or outsourcing some of their administrative tasks can free up more time for them to focus on what they love. A virtual assistant can help a small business owner or entrepreneur (even one with a tight budget) find balance by taking on tasks and responsibilities that can be time-consuming and draining.

A Freedom Maker military spouse virtual assistant can:

• Manage schedules, emails, event planning, customer relations, order fulfillment, client communications, etc.

or

• Take care of personal errands like online grocery shopping or individual appointment booking, travel planning, research, setting up reminders, and follow-up appointments.

One of the most significant ways a VA can help a small business owner or entrepreneur prioritize rest is by handling administrative tasks. These tasks can include scheduling appointments, responding to emails, managing a calendar, researching market data, and handling customer service responsibilities. This can include responding to customer inquiries, handling complaints, and providing support. A Freedom Maker can also assist with event planning and coordination, like organizing meetings, conferences, and other events.

A virtual assistant can also help a small business owner or entrepreneur prioritize rest by handling social media and marketing tasks. This can include creating and scheduling posts and managing social media accounts. By taking on these responsibilities, a Freedom Maker can free up a business owner or entrepreneur from having to constantly monitor and maintain their social media presence.

Additionally, a virtual assistant can perform many financial tasks, such as lite bookkeeping, invoicing, data entry, and budgeting. Small business owners can break free from having to constantly monitor and manage the financial aspects of the business, which can be time-consuming and draining. This can help to reduce stress and allow for more time for rest and relaxation.

A virtual assistant can be a valuable asset for small business owners and entrepreneurs in helping them achieve a healthier work-life balance. By leveraging the expertise of one of our talented Freedom Makers, a small business owner or entrepreneur can save time and resources… and maintain a healthy work-life balance. And, like Max was able to experience, a healthy work-life balance ultimately leads to better productivity and success in their business.

Click below for more tips about prioritizing and delegating, and reach out to our internal team to get started with your virtual assistant today!