Women Entrepreneurs F*CK Work-Life Balance: Do This Instead!
Women Entrepreneurs F*CK Work-Life Balance: Do This Instead!
Clear your mind for a moment and really focus on the question we’re gonna ask you. Which of these sentiments hit home the most?
I have no time or energy for myself anymore. As soon as I wake up, I get ready, go to work, and repeat.
I just realized that we are spending most of our lifetime working.
My business is taking over my life, even on the weekends.
My life feels like it’s on autopilot.
I constantly feel guilty when at work that I’m not at home with my family, or when I’m at home, I’m thinking about all of the work I need to complete
If you can relate to even one of these, your heart probably desires work-life balance while questioning its existence. Why is it so unattainable? Does it truly ever exist?
Here’s our theory: maybe work-life balance seems unattainable because it doesn’t exist! Instead, it’s all about achieving harmony.
What is work-life balance anyway?
What does work-life balance really mean? For some, it’s the ability to leave work at 5:00 PM every day and fully engage with family and personal activities. For others, it might mean working intensely for a few weeks and then taking a long weekend off to recharge.
The definition of work-life balance varies for everybody, depending on special circumstances, priorities, and stages in life. When we talk about women entrepreneurs, work-life balance seems even more complicated!
Look at women-owned businesses and how women lead teams. More often than not, they’re also moms, partners, or taking care of aging parents. Balancing all these roles takes extraordinary time management skills, emotional strength, mental energy, and so much more!
As moms, they might feel torn between being there for their business and being there for their kids. Society’s expectations don’t help either. There’s this pressure to excel at work and be the perfect mom. It’s a constant juggle where sacrifices in one area often feel necessary to succeed in another.
And let’s not forget the judgment. Whether they prioritize work or family, women often face criticism from all sides. It’s like there’s this unwritten rule that they can’t win no matter what they do.
That’s why it can be hard to achieve it—or, for some, impossible! Think of it as a moving target. When you keep chasing it without understanding how it works, you’ll get burnt out.
What’s keeping women entrepreneurs from achieving work-life balance?
There are so many reasons! Societal expectations, cultural norms, family responsibilities, and business demands are just a few of the factors that can throw you off course. You name it, and we bet many women entrepreneurs have experienced that.
But these external factors are something you can’t always control, so instead, let’s focus on the YOU side of the picture that’s keeping out harmony with business and personal life.
Approval addiction: Many women entrepreneurs thrive on the approval of their clients and peers. Hearing praise like “Your work was incredible” can be highly motivating, but it can also lead to overcommitting and burnout. If you constantly seek validation from others, it’s easy to lose sight of your needs and boundaries.
Ambition overload: Being ambitious is great, but it can also be a double-edged sword. If you’re always chasing the next big project or pushing yourself to achieve more, you might neglect important aspects of your personal life.
Mixed signals: Sometimes, what you say you want and what you actually pursue don’t align. For example, you might say you want to spend more time with your family, but then you take on a major project that requires late nights and weekends. This discrepancy can create confusion and stress, both for you and those around you. It’s important to regularly reassess your goals and ensure that your actions support your true desires.
Constantly changing priorities: Life is unpredictable, and your priorities can shift rapidly based on your situation. Whether it’s a family emergency or a burst of inspiration for a new project, these changes can disrupt your routine. Flexibility and adaptability are key to managing these shifts effectively.
Difficulty delegating: Many entrepreneurs struggle with delegating tasks because they believe that no one else can do the job as well as they can. This thinking can lead to micromanaging and an unsustainable workload. Learning to trust others and delegate effectively will help you scale your business and regain your personal freedom.
Perfectionism: Striving for perfection can be paralyzing. When you set unrealistically high standards for yourself, you can spend excessive time and energy on tasks that don’t necessarily require it. Good enough can sometimes be better than perfect, and it can help you prioritize and manage time more efficiently.
Fear of missing out (FOMO): The constant barrage of success stories and opportunities can create a fear of missing out, pushing you to take on more than you can handle. This can lead to overcommitment and stress. FOMO isn’t just about work—you might also feel it with family events and social activities. Trying to be everywhere at once can leave you stretched too thin and unable to enjoy the moments that matter most.
Aim for harmony: A new perspective for women entrepreneurs
Many women entrepreneurs make the mistake of trying to achieve a perfect work-life balance in the short term. Instead, focus on long-term harmony. Your priorities will naturally change over time, and that’s completely okay.
Work-life harmony isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s all about figuring out what it means to you personally and working towards that in your own way. Here are some ways to help you get started:
Reflect on your true desires
Take a moment to really think about what matters most to you, both in your work and personal life. Understanding your true desires isn't just about figuring out what you want but also aligning your daily actions with your priorities. This self-awareness can guide you towards a more fulfilling life where your efforts and energy are directed towards what truly brings you joy and satisfaction.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining work-life harmony. Clearly define when work hours end and personal time begins. This clarity helps reduce stress and allows you to be fully present in both your personal and professional life.
Get rid of habits that could destroy you
You cannot brag about always functioning in a high-stress environment. Trust us, that's not a good thing and can do you more harm, especially when it comes to your mental health. Just because certain habits worked in the past doesn’t mean they’ll always serve you well. Identify and eliminate toxic behaviors that could affect you mentally or physically, such as overcommitting yourself or neglecting self-care.
Value your time
There's this rule that we have to value other's time, but do you value your own time? Learn to prioritize tasks that align with your goals and say no to activities that drain your energy without providing value. Being mindful of how you spend your time allows you to focus on what truly matters.
Be kind to others and kinder to yourself
Probably one of the most underrated aspects of our lives is that we are, at times, super unkind to ourselves. It’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.
You must start treating yourself with the same kindness and compassion you show others. As our founder Ashley says, “If you wouldn't say it to your best friend, then you shouldn't say it to yourself.” Remember this the next time you catch yourself judging yourself too much: Set realistic expectations, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.
Take time to live off-grid
You can call it detox mode or shut-down, but it's super important to remove yourself from the chaos while you take a shower, a walk, cook, or maybe while taking time out with your children and doing your hobbies. Disconnecting from your business allows you to return with renewed energy and focus.
Delegate and outsource
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks that others can handle and outsource when necessary. This not only lightens your load but also helps your team play with their strengths. A successful women-owned business thrives with a team effort, not with an overworked one-woman show.
Accept life’s uncertainties
Life is filled with uncertainties. You might see this as an obstacle, but as a woman entrepreneur, take it as an opportunity to become flexible and adapt. Like waves that ebb and flow, some days, your business will demand more of your time; other days, your personal life will. By learning to be flexible, you can face the demands of each day without feeling overwhelmed.
How can we come to peace with harmony?
It’s time to face it - work-life balance is a myth! It’s an elusive concept that doesn't capture the dynamic reality of being a women entrepreneur.
Before we part, here are some thoughts of The Bellamy Co.’s founder on how she has come to terms with work-life harmony.
"I stopped chasing work-life balance years ago. Instead, I focused on integrating my work and personal life. Some days, work takes the front seat; others, it's my family. The key is to be present and give your best to whatever you are doing at the moment. That's harmony." - Ashley Dwyer.
Ultimately, achieving harmony is a personal journey. It’s about discovering what works best for you and your women-owned business and aligning your life with that vision.
