Ways for Small Business Owners to Build a Better Work-Life Balance

Swindon

Small business owners are typically full of enthusiasm and drive for their chosen career, but unfortunately this can easily lead to everything else falling by the wayside. This can be a particular problem for people who work from home, as it’s only too easy to mix life and work up completely and always be on duty, with no designated time off. In one recent survey, a shocking 25% of the small company bosses who responded said they had fallen ill as a result of stress and overwork. While some entrepreneurs might enjoy the adrenaline rush which can come with working long hours to meet a deadline on occasion, this figure shows up the real dangers to health and wellbeing. Overwork also puts a strain on family life – so what can be done to improve the situation?

Delegation – Are you spending too much time on tasks which don’t really need to be done by you as the business owner, and spreading yourself too thin? If you have other staff, the best way forward is to delegate some of these tasks and concentrate on the work which you personally need to do.
Even if you are a one-man or one-woman band, it can still be possible to delegate by contracting out some tasks, for instance by getting someone to do your accounts, or finding one or two freelances you can rely on to step in.
Communication – It’s vital for small businesses to be easy to contact, but that doesn’t mean you personally have to be available 24/7, jumping up from dinner to answer a work query on your mobile phone. The key is for people to know how to contact you and to have confidence that you will get back to them.
Make Use of Technology – Small businesses are often understandably nervous about new software or other technological solutions, because of the time that will be lost in training and set-up time. However, the fact is that making full use of technology can cut the amount of time you need to spend on routine tasks. So it’s worth getting expert advice on which tools or apps will make a difference to your business and staying up-to-date with this fast-changing area.
Allow Yourself Some Me-Time – It can be easier said than done, but even if you are working at home, to get the right life-work balance it’s essential to go out of the “office” and relax