It might be unpopular opinion, but the truth is that work-life balance doesn’t exist, at least not for a business owner. Being at the helm requires you to be engaged 24/7; even if something within your business isn’t your job, everything is ultimately still on your head. And, for many entrepreneurs, letting go of even a little control can be seriously daunting/panic-inducing.
However, you should at least strive for some semblance of balance, especially during the holiday period. So, how can you switch off and become more present this holiday season, without having to compromise your responsibilities, nor indeed your passion for the business?
1. Don’t make any promises
Okay, this sounds like a bad start to some tips on unplugging while on holiday, but by swearing outright that you won’t check email or take calls is simply setting yourself up for failure and guilt, as well as disappointment and/or irritation from your loved ones. The better thing to do is to set realistic expectations by saying you’ll likely have to do some work while on holiday.
2. Work if you have to, but set a time limit
This sounds regimented, but it probably needs to be—establish a timetable stating specific periods when you’re going to be working. It doesn’t have to be every day, but try to keep it at the same time, say from 9am-11am. And stick to it—don’t extend this time with one extra task or call; if you want your family to respect your time, you need to respect theirs.
3. Remember to do nothing
Being a business owner means having your diary planned weeks in advance—and this is just during work hours. Place family time, social events and exercise into the mix and you’ve got a full-on schedule of almost constant engagement. As strange as it may sounds (and feel!) sometimes you just need to forget a schedule and do nothing. Be careful not to spend your off-time doing so many activities that by the time the holiday is over, you’re exhausted! It’s okay to have a lie-in; it’s okay to binge-watch a series; it’s okay to simply sit and be.
4. Be present
Yes, ‘mindfulness’ and ‘being present’ have become corporate buzzwords, but there really is a great deal of wisdom and relevance behind them. For better or worse, far too much of our time is spent thinking about the future in particular. Whether it’s considering the growth of your company or new opportunities and threats, we’re almost always projecting ourselves into next month or next year. During this holiday season, try to focus on being present in whatever you’re doing, and leave those ambitions and worries for when it’s time to get back in the office.