Juggling a business and family

Many women start their own businesses with the aim of being able to dedicate more time to their families. Unfortunately, this does not always materialise, especially in the beginning. Find out how you can strike a better balance between running a thriving business, while maintaining a happy household.

Women are known to be the master multi-taskers in society, experts believe that there is no such thing as 'multi-tasking'. No one can do 10 things at once, which is why many women feel frazzled more often than not.

If you're trying to be everything to everyone, here are some ways you can find some sort of balance and avoid crumbling underneath all the expectations.

Are you really coping?

Do you get into bed at night feeling stressed out, tense, emotionally and physically exhausted? Do you find it difficult to get out of bed every day, knowing that you face an overwhelming workload? Are you constantly suffering from physical aches and pains?

If so, you may be burning out and neither your family nor your business can afford for this to happen. Here are some tips to help you make the most of all 24 hours in the day.

If your business is based at home

There are definite advantages to working from home, but there has to be boundaries in place to make it work.

Separate your work area from your home space. A separate workplace will provide a place for focusing on your business, while you can close the door behind you at the end of the day to dedicated family time. There are also tax advantages to having dedicated office space at home.

Plan ahead: Have a game-plan for all potential scenarios. For example, be ready for the unknown expenses of being an entrepreneur and know that you may not actually start turning a profit for the first one or two years.

Have a well-thought-out business plan: Business plans help you look at all angles of your business, such as the costs for a website, domain, marketing materials, membership fees, phones and office supplies.

Sell yourself. Informal marketing is a great way for people to hear your passion about your company. The more you do it, the easier it gets. 

You don't have to do it all: Make a list of everything you have to do. Depending on costs, what can you 'outsource' to a spouse, grandparent or professional service?

(Source: www.womenentrepreneur.com)

Get organised

Avoid the morning rush

• Start going to bed and getting up earlier
• Put everything you need for the day in one familiar location
• Make clothing choices for the next day (for you and your children)
• Give yourself enough time to do everything before you leave for work
• Encourage your spouse to share in the tasks so all the responsibility doesn't fall on one person
• Take time for breakfast; it's the one meal you can't afford to skip
• Set your clocks and watches 5 to 10 minutes ahead to keep you on schedule

Mealtime mayhem

• Rather than spending time and energy on coaxing children to eat, try to make what they do like
• Avoid mealtime struggles by having children help shop, plan and prepare the meal
• Whenever cooking, make two of each item, one that can be frozen and used at a later date. This works especially well for soups, stews and hot meals.
• Pack lunches the night before or have your children make their own in the morning

Bedtime basics

• Be consistent about scheduled bedtime
• Develop routines that help children get ready for bed (TV cut-off time, clean up, brush teeth, story time, bedtime)
• If children are not sleepy, tell them they must stay in the room and read a book or do quiet activities until lights out
• Avoid doing for children what they can do for themselves, as long as it's age appropriate

And remember:

• Allow family members to have some choices about the tasks that need to be done
• Vary the tasks so no one is overwhelmed or bored with helping out
• Everything doesn't have to be done absolutely perfectly, so don't put this kind of pressure on yourself 
• Make sure you have some quiet time every day to relax, read, take a walk or whatever helps you to unwind and regroup

Mothers and entrepreneurs know that you have to take it all in your stride. You can run a business and have a rewarding family life. It's all in your approach.