If you have increased stress levels, are on the verge of burnout, or feel unfulfilled, it is time to reassess your journey. Work-life balance for women is a top priority, and you should add it to the top of your to-do list.
Neglecting your well-being is choosing an entrepreneurial journey or career that lacks scenery and essential pit stops. But being a female entrepreneur or ambitious businesswoman does require sacrifices, and work-life balance is a top challenge for female entrepreneurs and ambitious women.
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In our modern world, we want to help you mitigate the detrimental effects of burnout and busyness and lead a more fulfilled and purposeful life.
Is Work Life Balance for Women a Myth?
Have you ever wondered how to manage work-life balance as a woman? Busy schedules, the constant demands of modern life, and family responsibilities make work-life balance almost impossible.
The question remains – is work-life balance for women a myth?
The perfect balance of work and life does not exist, but an imperfect version exists and is within your reach. We can work toward our version of having it all by pausing and reflecting on our goals. And here are 4 hacks that you can implement right now.
Recommended Reading: The 10 Best Self Help Books for Women Ever
4 Key Hacks to Improve Your Work life Balance
Work-life balance for women may not mean a perfect equilibrium, but you can strive to enjoy life more, sleep more, or spend more time with your family. By implementing these strategies you can overcome one of the top challenges for female entrepreneurs and you may even have more vigour when it comes to work.
Find balance, focus, and happiness in these 4 easy steps.
1. Redefine, Reprioritize, and Work Smarter
Balancing personal and professional life starts with understanding your priorities and setting clear goals. Every season of your life is different, so allocate your time accordingly. By defining your priorities, you’ll gain control over how you spend your precious time and be more intentional about your decisions.
Prioritize Productivity Over Busyness
Are you productive or just busy – there is a difference between them. When you are productive, you work purposefully and have a clear goal. When you are busy, you thoughtlessly jump from task to task. Take a moment to think about which tasks provide value and are aligned with your overarching goals.
Have a No Meeting Day
Meetings can take up so much of your day, leaving little time for actual work and leaving us feeling busy, overwhelmed, and anxious.
We recommend that you block out a day for focused and uninterrupted work. Examine your schedule and find a day to implement this approach. Block it out on your calendar, and communicate with your colleagues or manager.
Delegate and Say No More
According to MSNBC, women delegate less than men, and this can be problematic if women feel overburdened or if it prevents them from seeing the big picture. By delegating more, you can have more time for big-picture work and yourself.
2. Create Flexibility
Female entrepreneurs and women working in hybrid setups can create a flexible schedule, and they should. Think carefully about your productive hours and when you want to spend time with your loved ones. The rigid rules of the 9-5 are becoming redundant; create well-thought-out schedules that embrace productivity and time with the people you love most.
Work Remotely
Working remotely can give women more flexibility and save time by cutting down on long commute times, and you can use free moments at home to do chores around the house. But working remotely also comes with its own set of challenges, like unclear boundaries, unproductivity, and a lack of connection.
There are ways that you can work optimally and reap all the benefits of working remotely.
Here are a few of the best remote working practices that you could use:
- Create an organized physical and virtual Workspace
- Set a consistent routine
- Communicate more meaningfully
- Dress for success, even at home
- Practice self-care diligently
Recommended Reading: 10 Remote Work Best Practices and Tools for Busy Women
3. Embrace Support and Ask for Help
If you realized during your survey that unrealistic expectations were placed on you at work or home, get support. Getting support in a society that expects women to do it all is the ultimate act of defiance. So, use your network, challenge policies, and get the help you deserve.
Talk About How You Feel
Have open and honest conversations with colleagues and managers about priorities, tasks, and where you need help. Always take time to reflect on your feelings and, more importantly, express them. By sharing your feelings, you can become more aware of your needs and start to put a plan in place. Courageous communication can lead to greater work-life balance for women.
Join a Community for Ambitious Women
You are not alone, and joining a community can be a place to share your problems, draw inspiration from women, and get actionable tips to overcome challenges or succeed.
Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for actionable tips on building your business or growing professionally.
Find a female mentor or get inspiration from the top women in business and bold businesswomen.
4. Practice Self-Care
We must take time for ourselves and listen to our needs. Self-care has become increasingly important in a world that never stops tweeting, beeping, and delivering updates. There are multiple ways to practice self-care and prioritize ourselves again.
Exercise Regularly
The benefits of exercise are endless and can filter into your work and personal life. Exercise can give you an endorphin rush, increase your energy levels, help your brain health, and improve relaxation and sleep quality. So, regularly exercise and stick to a routine.
Choose an exercise you enjoy; it could be walking while plugging in a women in business podcast and recharging in nature.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can help you feel more positive, reduce stress, and feel more purposeful and present. Taking a moment to be alone is important, especially for overwhelmed women. Try practicing yoga, meditation, or journaling.
There are many ways to incorporate mindful moments in our day. Schedule these moments in your calendar or set aside time for them in the morning.
Have a Digital Detox
If you constantly feel wired or anxious, it may be time to take a break and unplug. Unplug from social media, news sites, and emails. These moments will help you refocus and make you feel less anxious, and when you return to work – you will feel ready to work and refreshed.
Revisit, Redefine, and Reflect
Work-life balance for women may seem elusive, but you can work toward your version of balance and fulfillment. By implementing some of these proven strategies, you can find a happy medium.
Remember to keep iterating, as your needs always change. Every season of life is different, so honor each one stay true to your needs, and ambitions, and remember to have fun.
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