Parenting is no easy task. Throw a business into the mix, and you’ve got quite the challenge ahead of you. The formative years require the most out of a parent, and entrepreneurship calls for a lot of time and energy as well.
Both your business and your baby can throw a lot of curveballs at you, so how do you summon a state of stability in the midst of it all? All you need to do is follow these five steps:
1. Set Boundaries
As an entrepreneur, you could have a 24-hour workday if you wanted to. So, it’s important that you schedule your working hours to ensure you don’t lose track of time.
You could decide on a specific time for doing basic household activities with your family and set apart some fun time, even if it’s only an hour or thirty minutes. You don’t want work taking over your personal life or vice versa, so it’s best to give both the attention they deserve.
If you’re one of the many parents taking advantage of virtual offices, you’ll have to be disciplined enough to respect your work time and your family time. Even when working from home, you must respect your work schedule and avoid playing with the kids in the middle of a workday.
2. Reach Out
Having a support system of some sort is necessary. Whether it’s a business coach or a housekeeper you’re thinking of hiring, consider it a worthy investment in your future. While you might think that hiring help is an unnecessary extra cost, if it makes life more manageable, the return on investment will be worth it in the long run.
Don’t suffer alone, and don’t be too proud to ask for help. There’s a lot to learn yet, and you could definitely use an extra hand.
3. Know What Comes First
You’ve got to have your priorities in order, both at work and at home. Some priorities are more pressing than others, and you have to categorize them accordingly.
Does your schedule affect anyone else besides your child? Let them in on your objectives and how you plan to achieve them.
If whomever you work with has an idea of your routine, for example, they can better meet you halfway.
4. Exercise
Exercise is good not only for your physical health but for your mental health as well. Fitting a morning run into your busy day can work wonders for your mind.
You need to stay sharp both as an entrepreneur and as a parent, and exercise is a free brain booster that can help with both.
Once again, time management is crucial. Have a set time for when you work out, and keep showing up on time, every time. Your partner can help to “fill in” for you at home while you take advantage of your morning exercise routine.
5. Don’t Take Anything for Granted
Parenthood is all about being present, but so is leadership. You want to be there when your little one takes their first steps or says their first word. However, you need to balance this with being involved in your business as well.
Make it a point to celebrate small victories and signs of growth in your business. Landed a new client? Doubled your revenue? Treat yourself to a massage, a gourmet wine hamper, or whatever it is that makes you feel pampered. Celebrate every milestone you reach, and you’ll reduce your stress levels and motivate yourself to be even more productive.
Juggling parenthood and entrepreneurship is no mean feat, but when you pull it off, it’ll be that much more rewarding.
