In Defense of Balance for Entrepreneurs (Yes, Even For Those of Us That Love to Work!)
Posted by Lisa on 26 Jan 2012 | Tagged as: Business Building, Entrepreneurs, Mixing Business With Pleasure
Anyone that knows me (or even just meets me) can tell that I love my business and work really hard. But I’m not only a passionate entrepreneur, I am a multi-passionate person! One of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made when I first became an entrepreneur was to “compartmentalize” my life. It dawned on me a few years ago that I don’t have a “personal life” and a “professional life,” but simply A LIFE. Consequently, I do things when they feel right, which might include writing an article or taking care of client work on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and going on a bike ride, taking a yoga class or heading out with my dogs on a hike on a Wednesday afternoon. In fact, flexibility and freedom are part of what makes being self-employed so glorious. And yet, so many entrepreneurs continue to separate their personal and professional lives in ways that actually work to avoid an y semblance of balance.
If a strict bifurcation of personal and professional is working for you, great. But ask yourself if it is truly working for you. Are you too regimented in your scheduling of work versus personal endeavors? Does your personal life always get short shifted at the expense of your professional life? Examine whether you really feel balanced. If not, something has got to change. Mix things up and see how it feels. Try to tap into your natural energy flow and rhythm so that you can do tasks when you are in top form, and not when you are “supposed” to. I realize this is easier said than done, and it is a constant battle to have the freedom and flexibility so many entrepreneurs crave. We still have to function within the 9-5 world we live in, and be able to serve our clients at a time when it is convenient for them. But at least try to move awa y from the compartmentalization that can cause you to overwork and resent your business. If you are starting to feel burned out, perhaps you need to work in more time to cultivate your hobbies and passions. Not only will you feel rejuvenated, but you may actually be a better and more well-rounded entrepreneur because of your non-work related activities.
For example, I love to travel and explore new cultures. This could be viewed as only a personal activity. And yet, my travel and exploration of other cultures infiltrates my work in surprising and refreshing ways. I sometimes find myself “studying” the ways of other cultures and comparing them to Americans in terms of productivity, work-life balance, attitudes on business, goal setting, etc. This makes me a better productivity consultant, success coach, business strategist, speaker and writer for sure! Even a simple personal activity like taking a hike or bike ride can fill me with wonderful new ideas to write or s peak about, help me work through a client issue that I am helping him or her with, or clear my mind to make space to create new programs and products.
The bottom line is that we all have to find that unique balance that makes the most sense for us. But I am proposing less of a balance in terms of this versus that, and more of a free flow of ideas, activities and use of time that feels authentic and allows you to be the best entrepreneur you can be. Because in the end, isn’t that what we all want?
10 Comments »
on 27 Jan 2012 at 9:04 am 1.Robin Roscillo said …
Lisa, this is a great article on balancing your personal and professional life into something known as your life. I hope you reach a wide audience with this piece of advice. A lot of people will benefit from it.
on 27 Jan 2012 at 9:25 am 2.Lisa said …
Robin –
Thanks for your comment. I am so glad the article resonated with you. I think it is an important topic too, and plan to include it in my master mind/group coaching program for entrepreneurs, which I plan to launch this fall. We have to make sure we have life-work balance!
Thanks again for your support and contribution, which is always appreciated.
Warmly – Lisa
on 27 Feb 2012 at 10:20 pm 3.Nadine Nicholson said …
Hey Lisa – This a great article! I love how you’re an observer of, and participant in, what’s happening around you. You’re paying attention when much of the world is distracted. ~ N
on 28 Feb 2012 at 4:46 am 4.Christine Marmoy said …
Hi Lisa,
This is great! I’m an advocate of personal balance, what you described brilliantly in this post. Like you said, I believe new entrepreneurs are trying to create categories in their days and weeks because it feels safe (brainwashed after many years of doing so for somebody else!)It can feel scary at first to let go of that ‘control’ to enjoy a more creative, more organic way of running our business. And yet, it is the only way to make sure we avoid burn out. Thank you for sharing this because it’s so important and yet so often overlooked.
on 28 Feb 2012 at 11:56 am 5.Lisa said …
Thanks so much for your comment, Nadine. So glad you liked the article. And yes, when we are aware of our surroundings, we can take in so much more!
on 28 Feb 2012 at 12:24 pm 6.Lisa said …
Hi Christine – Thanks for your comment. I love the word you use: organic. It so captures the essence of what I am encouraging entrepreneurs to do. Do what feels right! Make it authentic, organic and fun.
And yes, it avoid burn out too. Good point. Thanks again – Lisa
on 28 Feb 2012 at 9:24 pm 7.Jeanne Pi said …
Lisa, you and I have the same view on balance of work/personal life. Because I love my work so much and don’t see it as “work”, I never really had to compartmentalize. I just sort of flow in and out, turn it on/off as my mood dictates.
Yes, flexibility and freedom is the ultimate reward of entrepreneurship, provided you consciously build that into your business. Too many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of working IN their business instead of working ON their business; the end result being the opposite of flexibility and freedom.
If I wanted a regimented schedule in my life, I’d get a 9-5 job. No, I’d much rather have the ability to happily wake up at 3 A.M. to do work in my pajamas because I can, not because I have to.
on 28 Feb 2012 at 9:28 pm 8.Lisa said …
Jeanne – Amen sister!
I agree that too many entrepreneurs wind up having a J-O-B instead of having the freedom and flexibility of running a business designed to match their habits, needs and lifestyle. I am glad you cracked the code on flexibility. Of course, I am sure some entrepreneurs want to and/or need to compartmentalize and if that works for them and truly makes them happy and successful, so be it. But for me (and clearly for you too!) part of the magic of being self employed is that free flow… works really well.
Thanks so much for your comment. Much appreciated – Lisa
on 01 Mar 2012 at 8:44 pm 9.Tracey Lawton said …
Great article Lisa! A client commented to me the other night that I was working late as I’d emailed her in the evening. Like I said back to her, I’d taken time off during the day to go get my nails done and go for a workout … so decided to do a bit of work on the evening.
For me it’s all about flexibility and being able to use my day in the most productive way for me.
on 01 Mar 2012 at 8:49 pm 10.Lisa said …
Tracey –
Love it! My point exactly. I sometimes take time off during the day or even during the week, and then work a night or weekend when I get a burst of creative business energy. Whatever works, right? Thanks so much for your comment. Much appreciated.