Balancing the responsibilities of being a business owner and a family-oriented person can be daunting. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study found that the average person has about 60 hours of free time each week. When you consider running a business, the number of hours dedicated to your career will increase.
But when you’re trying to juggle everything, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. Unfortunately, it might affect your business if you’re constantly putting in long hours and not taking time for yourself and your family.
It might be critical to sacrifice time with your family, but it should not be at the cost of your business or well-being. If you want to carve out more time to prioritize your time with your family, here are a few ways you can try.
Utilize Technology
Technology has made it easier for business owners to manage their time and tasks. Systems like CRMs and project management software can help you track what needs to be done, when it needs to get done, and who is responsible for it. This step can help you stay organized and on top of your work schedule, which can free up more time for you to spend with your family.
Another way technology can help by making tasks more straightforward and less time-consuming. For example, online video conferencing tools can allow you to communicate with clients or team members without meeting in person. This can save you time on travel, which can be especially helpful if you have a busy schedule.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries is essential to finding more time for your family. This strategy means setting limits on the hours you work and the amount of time you spend on work-related tasks outside work hours. It might be challenging at first but putting boundaries in place will help create more balance in your life.
You might also want to set boundaries with technology. For example, try not checking your email or working on tasks after a particular hour in the evening. This step can help you create an “off” switch so that work doesn’t consume all of your free time.
However, there might be a few exceptions when setting boundaries. If you have an urgent task that needs completion, or you’re working on a project with a tight deadline, you might need to put in extra hours. In these cases, try to take a break in between tasks so that you can relax and recharge.
Take a Break
Breaks are essential for maintaining productivity, focus, and sanity. When you’re constantly working, you quickly feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Regular intervals can help alleviate these feelings and allow you to recharge to continue working productively.
Breaks don’t have to be lengthy — even five or ten minutes away from your desk can make a difference. You might also want to take a break from work altogether every once in a while. This could mean taking a weekend trip or spending an afternoon without work-related tasks. Time for yourself will allow you to refresh and recharge to continue working effectively.
Outsource When Possible
One of the best ways to free up your time is by outsourcing tasks that can get handled by someone else. For example, you might want to hire a virtual assistant to handle administrative tasks, customer service, or social media. This way, you can focus on more critical tasks that require your attention.
You can also outsource other aspects of your business, such as product development or accounting. In some cases, outsourcing these services might be more cost-effective than doing them in-house.
If you have a team working for you, delegate responsibilities whenever possible. This way, you’re not trying to handle everything yourself and can focus on other aspects of your business.
Of course, you should only outsource tasks that you’re comfortable with someone else handling. For example, you might not want to outsource tasks that require confidential information.
Make Your Business Smaller
Running a business does not have to mean attaining enormous profits. Sometimes, it is all about just being able to survive. After all, feeling overwhelmed with work can lead to a miserable life. Fortunately, you can scale down your business if you already think you’ve reached a satisfying level. You can start with making your practice smaller. If you run a dental clinic, you might not even have to build an in-house manufacturing process for dental devices. You can outsource the task to companies that specialize in orthodontic appliances.
The same applies to other businesses. You can make your company smaller by dropping some unprofitable products or services. If you run a small restaurant, you might want to eliminate the lunch menu, for example. This way, you will not have to cook as much food, and you can focus on dinner service instead.
Of course, this strategy only works if you think your current business model is already sustainable. After all, scaling down your operation might mean less profit. But if you want more free time, this option could be the best solution.
Final Thoughts
Finding more time for your family and friends is essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to create more time in your schedule. By following the tips above, you can make more time for the people and things that matter to you. Just remember to be patient — it might take some time to get used to a new routine. But once you find a system that works for you, stick with it, and enjoy your newfound free time!
