How to Achieve Work life Balance as A Solopreneur
Do you know how many solopreneurs are in Canada? 1.8 million Canadians, and that number is growing.
Embarking on the journey of becoming a solopreneur isn't always easy, as all aspects of the business fall on a single person. While it can be exciting to take on the creation of the business, marketing, sales, finance and more, it can also be overwhelming. This has led to many solopreneurs working around the clock.
Whether you're already a solopreneur or planning to enter the world of solopreneurship, we're here to help you achieve a work-life balance that will help you avoid solopreneur burnout.
Tip #1: Establish Set Working Hours
When you begin working as a solopreneur, your business will probably start small. During this time, you may feel a need to work 24/7 to grow your business. As you begin to build your business and it continues to grow, you will still feel you need to work these hours to keep up with the demands of your business. Having this type of mindset can lead to you overextending yourself in the workplace, causing you to feel constant stress, which will negatively impact your productivity at work. That's why it is important to establish set working hours that you can maintain throughout your business's life.
As a solopreneur, you are your own boss, so creating a set working schedule doesn't have to mean working 9-5. We suggest establishing certain hours in the day that you dedicate towards work, while also leaving some time in the day where you can focus on yourself away from your business.
Tip #2: Take a Break
If you think that skipping lunch/dinner or deciding not to take breaks throughout the day will help you get more work done, you are mistaken. Working for long periods of time can lead to mental exhaustion resulting in a decrease in productivity. So, take a break! Whether you work from home, remotely or from an office, take some time for yourself throughout the day. We suggest doing something that you find relaxing like going to the gym, taking a walk, etc.
Tip #4: Take a Sick Day
As a solopreneur, you run your company alone. So, when you get sick, you may be uncomfortable with taking a day off to recover. Well, we suggest taking that day, because working while you're sick will result in less productivity and longer recovery time. So, reschedule any meetings you had and leave any work you planned to finish for another day. Your body will thank you, and by delaying your work for when you are better, you will produce better quality work in a more efficient manner.
Tip #5: Make an Effort to Socialize
When you work for yourself, it's easy to isolate yourself and forget about the world around you. That's why it is important to try to socialize with your family and friends. By ensuring that you keep up your social life, it will be easier to maintain a work-life balance.
Tip #6: Get a Virtual Assistant
Just because you're a solopreneur doesn't mean that you don't need a little help. With artificial intelligence (AI) making its way through the business world, it has created a virtual assistant that can help you run your business. Having a virtual assistant can help with automated tasks, customer service, etc. This can give you more time to focus on other areas of your business and help you achieve work-life balance.
Work-Life Balance is Important
As a solopreneur, most of the time you will be flying solo. It's easy to get wrapped up in your work and become a workaholic. This isn't good for your physical or mental health and can lead to a negative impact on your work. So, follow our tips above to create a work-life balance that will help you avoid solopreneur burnout.