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tsblades2015's avatar
tsblades2015
Contributor 3
3 days ago

Fighting the Good Fight!

How do you balance everyday life, happiness and running your own business? 

8 Replies

  • Hi Tsblades2015, if you look at my response to Purposefamily, you’ll see my response to your question.

  • Hi Purposefamily, I totally agree with you. Although I am in the beginning stage of starting my business, I have began a routine to help me with balancing all aspects of my life. I start everyday with having a conversation with my best friend (God) giving Him thanks and praise for not only opening my eyes to a new day but all for my all yesterdays and my tomorrows given at His will. I have a start time to do anything business wise and unless it’s an emergency or a deadline to be met…I start my day with self love and self care. This lets me begin my day feeling fresh and committed to handling my business with a positive attitude. I also have a designated lunch hour to eat a light lunch and meditate to refresh my Boss mind for the later part of my business day. Then I finish my business day with a reasonable quitting time. I manage my daily routine according to priority keeping in mind that there are some days that I may have to tweak this. Once I leave work, I turn off my Boss mode unless there’s an emergency that pops up. My evenings, weekends and major holidays are for my family and friends. Most importantly, I take time for myself for maintaining a healthy mind, body and soul.

    • tsblades2015's avatar
      tsblades2015
      Contributor 3

      I love that for You!!! How you start your day with self love and self care. I usually get some stretches in and short workout to get the blood pumping. I need to love on myself more. Thanks for sharing!  I'm going to incorporate that gem more!  I'm going to look in the mirror and say, I love you very much, I don't do that enough. I thank God first always, can't start the day without that. But, I need to thank myself more because there's been some valleys and mountains. 

  • That’s a great question. For me, balance starts with remembering why I started my business in the first place. My family and my faith keep me grounded, and I try to build my business around purpose instead of letting my business consume my life.

    Some days require long hours, but I make it a priority to create memories with my kids, spend time outdoors, and celebrate the small wins along the way. I’ve learned that taking care of yourself isn’t a distraction from success—it’s what helps you show up at your best for your family, your customers, and your team.

    I’m still learning every day, but one thing I’ve realized is that success means a lot more when you have people to share it with.

    Thanks for starting this discussion. I’d love to hear what habits or routines have helped others maintain that balance.

  • Balancing it all is a constant battle, especially when you're running a solo operation. The business will gladly take every hour you give it, so you have to draw hard lines to protect your sanity.

    ​Here is how to keep your head above water:

    • Set a Strict "Hard Stop": Pick a firm time each evening to take off the work boots, put the phone on "Do Not Disturb," and clock out completely.
    • Protect Your Evenings: Create a clear transition ritual—like a walk with the dogs—to shift your brain from work mode to home mode, and keep dinner and family time completely screen-free.
    • Batch the Backend Work: Block out specific, focused hours during the week for invoicing and scheduling instead of letting paperwork bleed into your weekends.
    • Fire Your Boss (You): Remember that you went into business for freedom. Don't let the "boss" version of you become a tyrant who refuses to let you enjoy the life you're working so hard to build.
    • IslandSignature's avatar
      IslandSignature
      Contributor 3

      Hi! I love love this response. It’s definitely an awesome plan to balancing life when you running a business. It can definitely become overwhelming and cause you to lose yourself.

    • tsblades2015's avatar
      tsblades2015
      Contributor 3

       I absolutely LOVE THE last bullet point because that Boss in my head is loud.....Thank you and I appreciate the sincerity of your response. God Bless You! I will cherish this advice!!!. 

      But on the flipside, do you think that Boss in our head is there to help keep us stay accountable and focused during difficult moments? Does it help reel us back in from falling off from enjoying the fruits of labor too much and keep us in check? I have an image a tyrant now Bossing me around in my head, I think that tyrant is useful at times. (lmao)   I would love to pick your brain on that.  

      • IslandSignature's avatar
        IslandSignature
        Contributor 3

        Hi Tsblades2015, I think that the Boss in our head is there for several reasons due to us wanting to build a successful business. What’s important though is for us to remember when to turn Boss mode on and off. We need to remember that we have other roles in our lives and we don’t want to lack in those areas as well. We want all aspects of our life to mesh and complement each other in order to make us the best Boss that we can be…running each with success.