Middle Aged Mama

Blogging about my Midlife Adventures

Award-Winning Work Life Balance Strategies

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Much to my surprise and delight, I was named the winner of the Redlands Best Woman in Business Award 2016 at a gala event on Saturday night.

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The hubster was so confident, that on Saturday morning he asked me if I had my acceptance speech ready. Um, no?! I was just stoked to be a finalist!

As part of the judging process, each of the finalists gave a speech about the work life balance strategies they used to juggle the demands of running a business with their private lives. So I thought I’d share some of the tips from my presentation. After all, they are award-winning!

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Finalists shared their work life balance strategies

7 Work Life Balance Strategies

One of my favourite sayings is: “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life” – and in many ways it’s true. I love my work so much that often it doesn’t feel like work.

However, because I love it so much, AND because I work from home, one of the biggest challenges I face is switching off at the end of the day, and not letting my work creep into my family and leisure time. To quote another old saying,

“All work and no play makes Janet a dull girl”!

I’m not saying I have everything down pat (just ask the hubster!), but it is something I am consciously working toward, with the following work life balance strategies.

with my hunky husband

1 – Prioritise – What are your priorities in life? Mine are: Husband; kids; family; health. Enjoying my work, and earning a certain amount to contribute to the household finances. And, being able to indulge my creativity – I don’t just write for business, I also have this blog which gives me a chance to express myself just for the fun of it. Trouble is, it’s just one more thing that has me sitting on my backside, in front of my computer! So I’ve learned to …

2 – Step Away from the Computer – Except in extenuating circumstances, my workday ends at 6pm – which is usually when my husband walks in the door from his job. If I’m really good, I even turn the computer off, so I’m not tempted to check emails “just for a second”.

3 – Digital Detox – I try to have at least one day of “digital detox” each weekend. It’s important not just for my own mental health and wellbeing, but also for my marriage and family life.

4 – Automation – To allow me to “disconnect”, I have set up automated replies on the social media accounts I manage, for outside of business hours. In fact, automating whatever systems you can is a great time-saver.

5 – Lunch and Coffee Dates – One of the downsides of working from home is that I can go for days without seeing anybody other than my family; sometimes I don’t even leave the house except to take the rubbish out or check the mailbox!

So I have gotten into the habit of scheduling one lunch or coffee date with a friend per week, into my diary, just like I would any other business meeting. I used to “do lunch” regularly when I worked in an office; I think it’s even more important to keep it up now I work on my own.

6 – Adopt a cat – You may wonder how this makes it on to my list of work life balance strategies! We all know that it’s important to take regular breaks from computer work – but we are not always so good at doing it!

This is where my cat helps (NB at the time of the presentation, we only had Miss Fleur). When she thinks I have been at my desk too long – every hour or so – she will jump up and demand attention. She’s great at reminding me that I need to stand and stretch regularly, and have a little break! You could use an alarm if you liked, but wouldn’t a cat be heaps more fun?!

stop work Mum

Fleur on lap

7 – Outsource or Subcontract – Sometimes business gets, well, busy! As a business owner I want to not just meet but exceed my client’s expectations, however this was taking a toll on my private life. I began to feel chained to the computer, and pressured to take on more work than I personally could handle. At the same time however, I worried that turning down work would mean losing clients. The answer: outsource or subcontract!

And what about the housework?! Although we share it in our house, the reality is we are all busy and it doesn’t always get done. The answer: outsource or subcontract! It would make more economic sense for me to work for my business, and pay somebody else to clean.

Everybody needs to take holidays, even if you are a sole trader. Again, I’ve found the answer: outsource or subcontract!

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A Continuous Juggling Act

I think the hardest part of the whole work life balance equation is that it is not something you can “set and forget”. I Must Confess: just when I think I’ve got it all under control, something will change and I will have to start all over again. It’s an ongoing juggling act.

However, at the end of the day, I should be the one in charge of my life, my business, and my relationships.

After all, if *I* don’t make the effort to design my life, others will do it for me – and let’s face it, I might not like their idea of balance!

a wine to celebrate

What seems to work for you, when it comes to work life balance strategies?

Linking up with My Home Truths.

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Comments

  1. Congrats again on your win – so well deserved! I really like your work/life balance strategies. This is something I really struggle with. I need to learn to turn off and draw a line in the sand between home and work but as I love my work I do find that hard.

    • Haha it’s a lot easier to write them down than to actually DO them Kirsty, don’t worry!

    • And much easier to write about them than actually do them Min 😉

  4. Congratulations to you! Such an amazing achievement. Great tips, too. I need to show this to Mick! He has trouble switching off.

    • Thanks Ness, I don’t think I’ve ever won anything before so this has been a bit of a blast!

    • Thanks Michelle – I would never have imagined it 4 years ago when I was made redundant. It set me on a whole new life path and it’s turned out so great I don’t think I could ever go back!

  6. Well-done Janet! This award is testament to your hard work, vision and your personable approach. I can tell why you are a winner here! You ooze confidence and surety about your job! Congratulations.

    • Thanks Denyse … but I’m just a good actress, really not that confident to be honest!!!

  7. I’m not at all surprised you won. I bet your speech was the most entertaining one as well. You don’t know what a vibrant, bubbly, go-getting person you are. Congratulations Janet.

    • Well that’s what hubster said, he thought my speech was the best, but we all know he’s biased 😉

  9. Congratulations Janet! You should be extremely proud of your achievement. It does become a juggling act and I agree with all of your work/life balance tips. I find I spend far too much time on digital media and need to take more time out for socializing (coffee/lunch dates), exercising (which is extremely important to me) and spending time with my family (and dogs!) I do try but sometimes I get stuck in front of my laptop.

  10. Congratulations Janet! Schedule me in at number five for a “business meeting” haha. I particularly like your statement at the end – if we don’t design our lives someone else will. Too true! I think we have all at times been caught pushing someone elses cart at the expense of our own sense of balance and sanity. Love the photo of you and Lawrence at the end of your post. Gorgeous couple.

    • Thanks Deb – he looks very proud doesn’t he! And yes, let’s make a date soon – how about the week beginning 22/8? xxx

    • Thanks so much Em – you know you are an inspiration to me!

    • Thanks Beth! Never having really won anything before, I’m totally stoked 🙂

  13. Well done Janet! Great strategies as well. I’m terrible at not taking a break when I am at my office job. I keep saying we need a Kitty cat. I like that Red dress too!

    • Haha just bring Piper or Sasha to work! Isn’t the dress fun? Would you believe I picked it up for $15 on special from Millers! I really wanted a bit of sparkle and this filled the bill perfectly!