Work-Life Balance: Can It Really Be Achieved?

Embarking on this entrepreneurial journey wasn't a deliberate choice at the time; rather, I found myself thrust into it. No complaints, though – I've reached a point where I regret not taking the leap way sooner.

I'm not one to dwell on "what ifs"; instead, I prefer to embrace where I am and own my power.

How did it all start? Well, the arrival of my baby during the COVID-19 pandemic heightened my commitment to keeping him safe at home. Despite that decision, I was determined not to feel stuck or stagnant. Supporting friends in their ventures, helping them turn chaos into order, was my avenue to stay connected to the business world. This also served as the starting point for me to explore my own opportunities.

During a moment of solitude, with my toddler peacefully asleep, I started to reflect on the concept of work-life balance. As organized as I am, there were times when I felt like I was losing myself amid the myriad tasks at hand. For a newcomer to the business world, in a foreign land, the quest for work-life balance seemed impossible, but drawing on my experience in various sectors, I approached this new journey with the same adaptable mindset.

In my decade of employment, I've had the privilege of working in three different sectors within the government service and volunteered in two additional sectors outside the government service. While such changes may seem intimidating to some, I embraced them. Each time I entered a new field, I would analyze the needs of that work environment and apply my skills to successfully execute my responsibilities and more.

Now, if you're still reading, it means you're interested in how I approach this work-life balance. Here are the key principles I follow:

• Embrace the Chaos: Sometimes I often found myself caught in the whirlwind of multiple projects, each with unique challenges. Just as I was orchestrating a critical task, I would face an unexpected crisis elsewhere. The key is to embrace the chaos rather than resist it. Be agile, adapt to sudden changes, and master the art of prioritization. The most successful project managers navigate unexpected twists and turns.

• Family as Your Anchor: During intense project timelines, anchor yourself with the support of loved ones. Your family provides stability and perspective. Make a conscious effort to allocate quality time for them, involve them in your journey, and let them be part of your wins and challenges. Doing so enriches your personal life and creates a solid foundation for professional endeavors.

• Set Boundaries: One valuable lesson for me was learning to say "no". There's a tendency to take on every opportunity, but spreading yourself too thin leads to burnout and throws off your balance. Setting boundaries is a strategic move to safeguard your well-being and ensure project success. Also know when you’re not ready. Starting before you’re equipped can lead to demotivation of something that would otherwise be a great opportunity.

• Delegate: It’s tempting to take on every project task yourself. After all, you know the quality of work that you can produce. However, mastery lies in delegating effectively. Building a support team and collaborating with other professionals lightens your load and enhances efficiency. Recognize team strengths, empower ownership of tasks, and witness the power of collective success.

• Celebrating Small Wins: It’s easy to overlook small victories in the pursuit of bigger goals. But celebrating incremental achievements boosts morale, serves as fuel, and motivates you and your team to strive for more.

The entrepreneurial path I found myself on, especially as a new parent, is a continuous journey towards work-life balance. Embracing chaos, anchoring with family, setting strategic boundaries, effective delegation, and celebrating small wins have become the guiding principles of my approach. While the pursuit of balance may seem challenging, staying true to personal values and savoring the richness of both personal and professional aspects is crucial. Work-life balance is a unique and evolving concept for each individual—finding what works best and taking ownership of it is the key to sustained success on this entrepreneurial adventure.