The Art of (dis)Balance: Achieving Personal and Professional Fulfillment

While pursuing personal and professional success, entrepreneurs are often faced with conflicting demands. Most of us find fulfillment in more than just our work, but sometimes it takes conquering two major life events at once to understand what “having it all” really requires.

After starting my business and having a baby in the same year, I had to rewrite my own rules for my life as an entrepreneur, a mother, and a partner. Your baby doesn’t come with instructions and neither does your business, so I crafted my own rules in an attempt to reach harmony.

7 Tips for Finding Harmony

1. Don’t stress about finding balance. It’s ironic because finding balance can be the biggest cause of stress. Most entrepreneurs have an unrealistic view of balance. Each day is different, and work will often demand my attention and require me to fully throw myself into the business. As an entrepreneur, this is what I enjoy, so I don’t view it as negative.

   This imbalance is actually a blessing in disguise because I make every moment count at work and at home; there simply isn’t any time to waste. Find those moments that make you appreciate all you have.

2. Don’t be your worst enemy. Stress is a product of our minds, and dwelling on it only makes us more stressed. Each phase of life brings its own set of stressors. In graduate school, I worried about school, money, and relationships. Now I have other worries.

   Remember that we create our own stress. I try to recognize when I am perpetuating this cycle and strive for acceptance. By focusing on the goals you can do instead of stressing about what you can’t, you can deflate that stress.

3. Remember we are all humans first. This is my mantra for running my business. All humans have interests outside of work. One perk of running my own business is that I can decide what’s important rather than worrying about stereotypes or sneaking out of work early to go be a parent. We respect work/life harmony at our company and encourage success in both business and family.
4. Don’t indulge in guilt. If you have to be “all in” at work, do it. But do it well. Then go home to your family. Don’t allow guilt from not being with your kids to build up. They ultimately want a happy mom and will respect the effort you put into building your future—and theirs, too.
5. Show your kids why you do what you do. Bring your kids to work, and teach them what work is by giving them realistic tasks. This will inspire them to build their own lives on their terms.
6. Don’t forget your partner. Make sure you dedicate time to your partner. Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on, and your kids will benefit from having parents who model a healthy relationship.
7. Write down what you want. Identifying your goals is half the battle. If you want to start a family, then keep that in mind as you build your life and business. Taking on the roles of entrepreneur and parent isn’t easy, but the knowledge and fulfillment it provides is well worth it. Taking the time to write down and review your goals allows you to recognize your priorities and work toward them effectively.