What Balance Actually Looks Like for an Online Entrepreneur
I just finished watching an Instagram live with @SolStudioMarketing all about finding focus as a creative entrepreneur. They started talking about what balance actually means for someone that’s running an online business or freelancing in the online space. This resonated with me so much, because I’ve personally struggled with both the word “hustle” and the word “flow”.
I’ve been running Rebel Office for over three and a half years now. I’ve experienced my fair share of burnout, of four hours of sleep three days in a row, of avoiding client emails… and I truly believe that balance is a gut feeling. Balance is trusting your body and your mind. It’s working when you’re inspired, taking a break when your productivity dips, and ultimately prioritizing the life that you want to live and the business you want to run.
No one gets into business to work 20 hour days, to ignore their family and friends or to be so stressed out all the time that they randomly break out into tears. That said, no one also gets into business to sit there and see no results or take no action.
So how do you balance the two? Consider the following my own lessons learned and now highly valued tactics that I use to bring the balance into my life & business.
Create an action plan. Know what you need to be doing to take the guesswork out of the day-to-day while still working in aligned action towards your big goals. It also means you can manage your time, break down big tasks into small ones, and take the pressure off because you know what’s up next and what’s top priority.
2. Schedule in your self-care. If you’re anything like me, you live by your calendar. If you know that you struggle taking time for yourself, build in those accountability systems into your life so that you have to.
That means booking a recurring monthly spa appointment so you know that ONE day per month, you’re at the spa. That means getting a dog because it forces you to go for walks every day and to take a step away from your screen. I highly recommend this last option. While my boyfriend and I didn’t get our golden retriever Trigger for this purpose - it’s been a surprisingly beneficial side effect.
The best place to start is with a morning routine. Prioritize setting your day up for success by taking the time to step into your higher level self. It sounds silly, but it works and your day will not only be more productive, but you’ll feel more centered too.
3. Give yourself permission for both. Look... there’s no right or wrong way to be an entrepreneur and to run your own business. So give yourself some credit, go easier on yourself and do what’s right for you. You’re allowed to work late if you’re on a roll and having an absolute blast doing it. You’re allowed to take a step away when you start to feel like you’re banging your head against the wall. Finding the balance in both will ultimately boost your productivity and joy.
It’s taken me practicing and prioritizing self-care over the last three years to feel like I’ve finally achieved some form of balance. My morning and nightly routines are big parts of that since they remind me that I’m more than just my business. For the longest time, I’d jump straight to my phone and work straight through until I went to bed at midnight. And that wasn’t serving anyone.
I’ve also learned to listen to my body more, to learn when to step back when I’m pushing too hard, and when to kick things into gear when I’m feeling inspired. The truth is that balance comes with time. It comes from pushing yourself too hard and taking things too easy. It comes from learning about yourself, what works for you and the life that you want to live. But when you find it, and when everything clicks together, magic happens.
I’d love to hear your own experiences with hustling, flowing, and finding balance in the comments below!
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