Recently, most of my days are full of working with design clients, prepping content for my upcoming website template launch, organizing our upcoming move from Nashville to Portland, ME, and chasing around my 2-year-old son while I attempt to cook chicken enchiladas for dinner. Riveting, right?
I get asked a lot: “Hannah, how are you balancing being a mom, moving, AND running your own business?”
The truth is, being able to happily run a business on my own terms is a big part of what makes my family dynamic such a dream. I’ve got periods where I stay hyper-focused on design work … times where I’m singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star repeatedly with Killian … and moments where I’m lounging with my husband, Corey, on the couch after a long day, planning our upcoming move together.
But it did take lots of self-awareness and firm decision-making to get to a point where I feel at ease with “all the things” instead of overwhelmed.
I know that many folks in my community want to figure out how to pursue their passion while keeping their personal priorities in focus, too. In this post, you’ll learn how to take necessary steps toward overall harmony in your life
I’ve been where you are. I am an extremely achievement-oriented individual who was formerly on that corporate ladder earning a decent wage (with benefits) but working very long weeks and feeling extremely unhappy. But I finally gathered the courage to make a shift toward more harmony and ownership over my life. Now, I am a mother, run a design firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs manifest the brand of their dreams, and am happier than I’ve ever been in my life.
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The Issue with Work-Life Balance
Many people struggle to find a healthy equilibrium between their work responsibilities and their personal endeavors. In today’s fast-paced and competitive work culture, there is often pressure to work longer hours, take on more responsibilities, and be constantly available through technology. This can make it difficult to prioritize other important areas of life, such as family, friends, hobbies, and self-care.
The problem with “work-life balance” is that it treats the professional side and the personal side of your life as two different things when life doesn’t really work that way. The two influence each other in a major way. If you are familiar with the Apple TV series, Severance, then you understand how problematic it can be to treat the two as separate.
Furthermore, life is a pendulum. Sometimes you will have more career priorities to think about and other times, personal matters take the top spots. That’s ok! However, issues properly handling competing priorities can have a ripple effect on society as a whole, as families and communities may suffer when individuals are unable to fully participate in activities and events outside of work. Or the opposite… neglecting professional duties and suffering in your career which causes financial strife.
When work takes up too much time and energy, individuals may experience burnout, stress, and other negative effects on their physical and mental health. They may also miss out on important moments and relationships outside of work, leading to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and dissatisfaction.
Overall, achieving a healthy harmony of all your priorities is essential for individual well-being and the overall health and happiness of society.
Identify your Limiting Beliefs
It’s important for entrepreneurs to first recognize and challenge their limiting beliefs in order to achieve healthy harmony. By adopting a growth mindset and seeking support and resources, you can create a sustainable symmetry between your work and personal needs that supports your business and well-being. Here are some common limiting beliefs about work-life balance that can hold entrepreneurs back:
“I have to work long hours to be successful.”
This belief can make entrepreneurs feel like they have to sacrifice their personal life in order to succeed in business.
“I can’t take time off or the business will suffer.”
This belief can make entrepreneurs feel like they can’t take a break or take care of their personal needs without negatively impacting their business.
“I have to do everything myself.”
This belief can make entrepreneurs feel like they have to do everything themselves and can’t delegate tasks, which can lead to burnout and a lack of harmony.
“I have to be available 24/7 for my business.”
This belief can make entrepreneurs feel like they can’t disconnect from work and can lead to constant stress and a lack of harmony.
“Work is more important than my personal life.”
This belief can make entrepreneurs prioritize work over their personal needs and neglect their relationships and well-being.
“I am a bad [mom, wife, partner, business owner, woman].”
Thinking you are failing at one role in your life simply because you are a complex individual doing multiple things will only result in unhappiness. You’re doing great, sweetie.
Finding Harmony in Your Priorities
Finding harmony between work priorities and personal interests can be challenging for entrepreneurs, but it’s essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Here are some tips for finding harmony:
Define your priorities.
Take time to reflect on what’s most important to you in your work and personal life. This will help you identify where to focus your energy and set boundaries around your time. I personally LOVE the Full Focus Planner for defining priorities in all aspects of my life and keeping them in sync.
Set realistic goals.
Break down your goals into manageable tasks and prioritize them based on their importance and urgency. This will help you stay focused on what’s most important and avoid getting overwhelmed.
Create a schedule.
Use a calendar or planner to schedule your work and personal activities. Be sure to include time for self-care and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Delegate tasks.
Despite your gut instinct, you do NOT have to do it all yourself. Identify tasks that can be delegated to others and enlist the help of a team, childcare, or a trusted partner. This will help you free up time and energy to focus on the tasks that require your unique skills and expertise.
Practice mindfulness.
Take breaks throughout the day to check in with yourself and practice mindfulness. This can help you stay present and focused on the task at hand and reduce stress and anxiety.
Communicate with others.
Be open and honest with your team and loved ones about your priorities and boundaries. This will help them understand your needs and support you in achieving your goals.
Remember, finding harmony between work priorities and personal interests is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt. By prioritizing your well-being and setting clear boundaries around your time, you can achieve a healthy symbiosis that supports both your professional and personal goals.
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Now you know how to find harmony between your professional and personal priorities, but what about making your work life a little easier? Check out 3 Ways to Simplify your Self-Care Business.
