How I've Achieved Work-Life Balance

The struggle is real. I've got more passion than I do hours in the day and deciding where to spend that time is a constant struggle. When I am #OutsideWork I feel like I am neglecting my business and when I am at work I feel as though I should be spending more time with my family. Here are a few things that I have done to help achieve a healthy level of work/life balance. I am interested in hearing what ideas you may have implemented and how well they have worked for you?

Starting Late

Every good parent wants to be home when their kids wake up and when they are going to sleep but sometimes it just isn't in the cards, and even if it is, you may feel like you are only around for the stressful parts of the day. What I've found is that more quality time on one end of the day is much better than broken up time. (3 hrs of quality time > 1.5 hrs twice daily)

Last summer I spent most days going in late to work and then working as late as I needed to at night. This allowed me get up and enjoy the day with my family, going for a boat ride or taking a walk to the park without checking into work and beginning the daily hustle. I've found that once I turn it on it is hard to turn it off after work. By going in late, I am able to really focus on my family and then once I am off to work I can redirect that focus without feeling like I have a limited amount of time before I need to get back home. 

Weekends Off

It is hard to take time without feeling like the competition isn't getting a leg up on you! Working unnecessarily through the weekends is not the solution. It may sound cliche to suggest working "smarter not harder" but that is exactly what you need to do. More often than not extra time does not equal more productivity, rest is crucial to being sharp and what better time to rest than the weekends. 

Also, just because you have the weekends off of work doesn't mean you have to fill the time with other activities. Parties, Road Trips, Weddings, etc.. will suck up all of your weekend time if you let it. Make sure some weekends are full of nothingness. Nothing can be so fulfilling especially when it involves doing nothing with family. It'll be hard to compete in the never ending battle of who has had the most exciting weekend on facebook but that is a competition met with no reward. Rest up and just spend your time just enjoying being "in the moment" with the ones you love.

Check Your Work Stress at The Door

This one is a challenge, but one that I gladly accept. When having a bad day at work take some time on your commute or even just a few minutes before walking in the door to realize that your home life hasn't caused you the headaches you may have had and it certainly isn't fair for them to have to feel the effects of a bad day. So suck it up, at least walk in the door with a smile on your face. Your family is happy to see you and if you let those good feelings wash over you without thinking about work you might just find yourself feeling less stressed right away!