When you work long hours to get a new business up and running, maintaining a work-life balance is difficult. It becomes easy to let personal relationships slide to the wayside when you have so much at stake in your entrepreneurial endeavors. But it is possible- as well as beneficial- to keep these relationships alive as you build your business.
Discuss Expectations
First, you need to sit down with your loved ones and discuss your business goals. Explain to them why starting this business is important to you, and make sure they understand the time, effort, and money it will take for you to achieve your goals. Be open and honest, discussing how these demands could possibly strain your relationship.
People who truly care about you will recognize your passion, and they will seek to understand why this matters so much to you. They may even want to know how they can support you. Let them know what you expect from them, whether it is helping out at home with housekeeping or running errands, contributing some type of investment into your business, or simply lending a listening ear after a long day.
Additionally, allow them to voice their expectations of you. While they may be supportive of your goals, they still have needs of their own. Find out what is important to them, and do your best to hold up your end.
Schedule Time Together
Achieving a work-life balance requires making time for your loved ones. Keep in touch regularly and collaborate to create a schedule that allows time together. It may be helpful to plan for the same day and time each week so you can always keep that block of your calendar open for them. For example, you could set aside every Wednesday morning for breakfast meet-ups, or you could dub Saturday evening “date night.”
Whatever you do, make sure that these interactions are meaningful to both of you. Do things you both enjoy and talk about things that matter to both of you- not just your growing business. Put away your phone and be present with the other person.
Communicate Regularly – and Honestly
Communication must be a priority. Check in regularly to see how the other person is doing. Talk about their goals as well. Be open with each other. Listen. Have conversations that revisit your expectations from time to time to ensure that each of you are continuing to feel like equals in the relationship.
Maintaining a work-life balance isn’t easy for a driven entrepreneur, but it is doable, and it is worthwhile. Nothing is more rewarding than a solid relationship filled with love and support.
