Being an entrepreneur is tough. It’s a lot of long nights of working, worrying, and slowly but surely making progress towards your goal. It really is a lot like being a parent with a newborn. The constant care towards your business baby is very similar to the constant care given to your baby. When these coincide, it’s a recipe for a lot of stress and burnout.
Mompreneurs need to find the special balance of giving the time and attention their baby needs and the dedication and commitment their business requires to grow and become successful. It’s not an easy balance to strike, but with a bit of luck and some tips you stand a high chance of finding it faster!
1. Get a team
Even if it is difficult to delegate and let go, as soon as you can afford it, begin hiring and delegating tasks to capable people that you have trained. A part of growing as an entrepreneur is learning to delegate and let go so you can focus on bigger picture tasks that will help grow your business. It will also help you free up some time for your babies!
2. Be mindful of your own health
Being passionate is wonderful, but being passionate to the point that it affects your health? Not so much. You know you’ve struck an imbalance when you find yourself getting sick often or stressed all the time. When this happens, take a step back and focus on yourself and your babies over your business. At the end of the day, your business won’t be able to run if you’re constantly under the weather, and your own health and happiness can hinge on spending time with your kids. So be sure you know when to take a breather.
3. Be present in what you are doing; don’t multitask
Though multitasking is a well praised skill, to balance being an entrepreneur and a mom, one of the best things you can do is stop multitasking! Meaning, when you’re at work, you’re at work. Give your 100% attention to the work at hand. Likewise, when you’re with your kids, put the phone away and take the email notifications off! Be with your kids, 100% fully present to them.
4. Do what you say you will do
This is especially important when you have staff. When you tell your staff you will be unreachable, be unreachable because you are with your kids. When you tell your kids you will be there for their playdates or sports tournaments, be there for their sports tournaments. Do not cancel on either work or your kids once you have set the schedule to be with either. Consistently stick to your guns and both (work especially) will know to respect your time.
5. Manage time and your calendar
Speaking of time, be sure yours is well managed, and make sure your calendar is too! Be honest with yourself on how many meetings you can take each week and how much work time you need in between to fulfill all your deliverables. Then be just as honest with yourself as to whether or not you have allocated enough time for your kids. Know how to rearrange, juggle, and move things around to other weeks if necessary.
In line with Mommy Mundo’s theme of the year, Mind Your Mind, mompreneurs are encouraged to pause and reflect on their work style vis a vis their mom time. Process how each aspect of your life affects the other, and then take positive actions to reach the balance you, your children, and your business need to each grow and thrive in its own unique way!
For more tips on minding your mind, follow Mommy Mundo’s Instagram account!
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