How to Balance Your Career and Your Business

Over the last decade, women have established themselves as all around HUSTLERS. I mean, there's nothing that we can't do! It's truly amazing to see. We're mothers, wives, sisters, educators, politicians, trailblazers, career women and all around lady bosses! In fact, according to statistics, the United States alone has 12.3 million women-owned businesses. I mean, WOW!

Now this information is great, but if you're a business owner, you know how much hard work, dedication and sacrifice can go into embracing the life of an entrepreneur. There's not a one sized fits all approach either. I know women that simply stepped out on nothing but faith with literally nothing before they started their business. While I know others that have successfully grew their start-up to a six-figure business while working a full-time job. I fall into the latter group of women. Again, different things work for different people, depending on who you are and the details of your life. However, for me, I like being able to have my career work for me while I build my business. It's not always easy, but it is most definitely possible. I wanted to share tips on how you can successfully balance your career and your business. 

My Story

As many of you may know, I am very vocal about my satisfaction with my career. In fact, I have no plans on leaving my 9-5 any time soon! This may be shocking, especially because it seems that entrepreneurship is the way of life right now. In my opinion, we were all put on this earth for a specific purpose. In addition to us all having a purpose in life, we’re allowed to wear many different hats and try different things. I, for one, live by this. My career challenges me, motivates me, and allows me to live my life in a certain way while my passion is my creative outlet, it’s in line with my purpose, and it allows me to help others. Who says that I can’t do both and enjoy it? Need help discovering your purpose? Check out my free workbook - Glowing on Purpose. 

I’m sure some of you are thinking, “You make that all sound so easy, Monique.” If I’m being honest, it’s not! Balancing my business and my career can feel overwhelming at times. Honestly, it took me a while to really find my flow. A happy medium that allows me to do everything without feeling like I want to pull my hair out! I

After experiencing burnout, I took a break from my business and just focused on my career. And I won’t lie, it felt nice for a while, but then I started to feel incomplete. When I decided to make my return, I vowed to do things differently. After making these adjustments, I’m so much happier and fulfilled! If you’ve ever have doubts about your ability to balance your career and growing your business… just believe in yourself. Where there is a will, there is a way! 

How to Balance Your Career and Business

Establish your "WHY"

What's the reason behind what you're doing and why you have the goals that you do? That reason is your why. You have to get to the root to why you're doing this. When you answer this simple question, it will enable you to move and make moves with INTENTION. Your why will pull you out of bed when you'd rather hide under the sheets. Your why will motivate you to put in an extra hour late at night towards building your business. 

Get organized

Organization is key! It’s good to have something to refer to that keeps you in line with your goals. As for me, I don’t go anywhere without my planner! Planning is extremely important and helpful. You know how the saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." If you're not clear about your time and how you need to spend it to get things done, you're always going to feel overwhelmed.

I make sure to plan my weeks, and months in advance. Doing so allows me to see when I have free time between work, the gym, and my social life to write, blog, or build my brand. Everyone has their preferences as to what works for them. Whether it be an old-fashioned paper planner or a digital one. There are a ton of tools out there to help you get organized. 

Set a schedule

Setting a schedule goes hand in hand with getting organized. Scheduling is great and it’s super helpful when you’re trying to balance multiple things. I often like having a schedule in place because I feel that it gives more purpose to my days and time. If you’re spending eight 8 hours of your day at work, maybe schedule an hour for the gym, an hour for dinner/home duties, and two hours for your business. I also suggest giving time-blocking a try! Time-blocking is a great time management method that requires you to break up your tasks for the day and dedicate a set increment of time (1-2 hours for example) to do nothing but whichever specific task you set for that designated time. I use time-blocking for my content creation and administrative tasks at my day job and I love it. 

Click here to read out Time-Blocking! 

Optimize your free time

Why not spend the time that you’re watching television to get some things done? I do this daily! Take the train to work? Do you have a long lunch break at work? These are perfect times to knock some things off your to-do list if you can!  

Listen to your body

Another important point especially since no one wants to experience burn-out. As I revealed earlier, I am no stranger to experiencing burnout. Don't be like me! Avoid burnout if you can. The best way to do that is to master balancing your work-life and actively being in tune with your body and its needs. If you feel exhausted or uninspired it’s perfectly ok, to take a break.

Do you have tips that you want to share? Leave them in the comments! I'm always open to suggestions. 

Have you read my book series yet? Check it out here.