5 Tips for Work-Life Balance During Stressful Situations

Does it ever feel like you’re juggling way too many things in your daily routine: Your business? Your family? Your personal goals?

Most of us tend to over-commit and then over-schedule ourselves. We feel confident we can just barely make those deadlines. Then, along comes some unexpected event that either good or bad, adds more stress (and responsibilities) and throws the whole grand plan into chaos.

I wrote the original version of this post seven years ago, but these tips still hold value for small business / home business owners, so check them out. 

Last month was a particularly challenging month in the League household when it came to striking a balance between family and business. There were a few unexpected trips across the country for positive reasons: our oldest daughter was checking out 2 graduate schools and asked us to join her. Our trips were fun, but juggling business deadlines to schedule those trips created some stress.

On the other hand, a family member had an unexpected surgery (out of state), which meant that I had to take a few “personal” days to help out; which of course, resulted in a different kind of stress. (Things are fine now, on a happy note!)

But whether or not it’s for happy things or worrisome situations, unexpected family-related events can increase your stress level as you try to balance your work schedule at the same time.

How many “personal” days can a small business owner really afford to take?

As my own boss, I know I am fortunate in being able to put unexpected events into my schedule without worrying about someone else telling me I can’t take time off to help a family member.

But I still get stressed about the deadlines, projects and must-do items I need to get done to keep the business running in my temporary absence.

So how do you walk the tightrope between family and business commitments without falling off? Here are 5 tips that have helped me:

1. Make a master list of everything to be done

It doesn’t matter if it’s business or personal – just get it all out of your head first; that will be a big stress reliever. Focus on sorting it out later.

I’m still an old-fashioned girl: I like to make my big lists on paper. The act of writing it out with a pen, instead of typing on my keyboard helps relieve stress (plus I can sit in a favorite, calming spot and make the master list).

2. Then prioritize your master To-Do List

What has to be done this week? Those items are your first priorities.

What would you like to do this week? Can those items wait? Can you push some of them off for another week?

Many business owners struggle with spending time on what has to be done versus what they like to do.

When an unexpected event pulls you away from your normal business schedule, your main focus should be on the items that produce income or result in continued income.

Forget about “busy work”.

3. Delay the start of new projects

Now is not the time to start up something new (unless you just accepted a new client/job).

But let your client know that some unexpected events in your personal life may impact your work schedule.

It’s always better to under-promise and over-deliver. Keep up with communication even if you aren’t getting things done as you originally expected.

4. Communicate your situation

You are the boss – so let people know about the changes in your schedule and how you are adapting (additional help, longer turnaround times, how to best reach you, etc.).

If you are the sole manager of your social media accounts, you may want to alert your community if you won’t be online as frequently. That way, it won’t look like you are just abandoning your accounts.

5. Do whatever you can to carve out some “me” time

You know you will be stressed. You’ll need some downtime (even if it’s just a few spare minutes) more than ever to re-charge.

Make the “me” time fit the schedule: is your only downtime the time you’ll be spending in the car/plane/train?  Listen to something you’re really interested in (that’s not work-related) during this time.

Have only 20 minutes before bed to yourself? Find a good book, relaxing music, or a funny tv show to take your mind off of the more stressful events you’re dealing with.

You get the idea…find a way to reward yourself for keeping it all together on that tightrope.

Balancing family and work when you are the business is an ongoing challenge.

But you can maintain some sense of business normalcy if you plan ahead, have a contingency plan in place, and remember that having this much flexibility is probably one of the main reasons you started your own business in the first place.

Here are two favorite quotes about stress:

It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it. Hans Selye

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. William James