Work life balance for small business owners: Anyone who runs a family or small business knows that it is a unique and rewarding experience. It’s personal. It’s passionate. It’s flexible to a degree, but let’s be honest, it’s also relentless and a lot. It means wearing a hundred different hats; handling operations, managing clients, and keeping up with endless to-dos. People often say, ‘you’re so lucky you work for yourself,’ but when you know, it’s no wonder that “work life balance for small business owners” can feel like an elusive dream.
We get it. We live it too.
It really hit us on several occasions, when we were lucky enough to visit our daughter who is dancing on a cruise ship and have the most special holiday, how tense and preoccupied we usually are. When you are on a sea day, you don’t always have a phone signal. Luckily, we had our brilliant team to manage things while we were away and, at times, uncontactable, so in those moments, with no phone signal, no way of contacting anyone or being contacted, we truly felt relaxed. And, it was a strange feeling.
Here’s the truth: When it comes to work life balance for small Business owners – Stepping away is just as important as showing up.
For 10 days we were away, and although the ‘getting away’ part almost killed us (another thing we know you will understand if you run your own business) but:
– The business didn’t fall apart (we are lucky to have such an amazing team, we know, and not everyone has that support).
– We came back feeling recharged (in a way that we hadn’t really recognised we needed to recharge so much).
– Fresh ideas started flowing again (our heads cleared a bit, and we could think about things more clearly).
So, Why Does Work Life Balance For Small Business Owners Matter?
1. You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup
When you’re constantly in ‘go mode,’ burnout isn’t a question of if, it’s a question of when. A well-timed break isn’t a luxury; it’s fuel to keep going.
2. You Get the Perspective You Didn’t Know You Needed
Being stuck in the daily grind can make it hard to see the bigger picture. Stepping away, even briefly, helps you refocus on your goals and priorities.
3. Your Business Needs a Well-Rested You
Your best ideas don’t come when you’re exhausted. They come when your mind has space to breathe. Some of our best business decisions have been made after stepping back for a bit.
We know what you’re thinking—this all sounds great, but how do I actually take time off when my business needs me?
How to Actually Make Work Life Balance for Small Business Owners Happen (Without Feeling Guilty!)
We’re in no way perfect on this, but here are a few things that help us or ideas to move towards getting a break:
- Plan in Advance
Block out time in your calendar for breaks just like you would for an important meeting. If it isn’t scheduled, it won’t happen, and then you can start to prep clients that your break is coming up and manage expectations so that you don’t feel like you are letting them down. - Automate & Delegate
You don’t have to do everything yourself! This really is the secret sauce to achieving work life balance for small business owners. Use tools to automate routine tasks; schedule your social media posts, set up auto-replies for emails, and invest in a reliable website maintenance plan. If you have a team, empower them to handle tasks in your absence. And if you’re a solo business owner, be upfront with your clients about your time off, most will be so supportive! - Start Small
If a full holiday feels out of reach, try a half-day off, a long weekend, or even a digital detox day. Remember, any break is better than none. - Set Clear Boundaries
Learn to say no—guilt-free. Establish firm boundaries between work time and personal time. That might mean shutting down your laptop after a certain hour or dedicating weekends solely to family and self-care. By protecting your time, you’re investing in your long-term success and well-being. - Embrace Self-Care as a Business Strategy
Self-care isn’t just about ‘bubble baths’; it’s a critical part of work life balance for small business owners. When you’re well-rested and mentally refreshed, you’re more creative, better at decision-making, and ready to tackle challenges head-on. Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine.
We know that when trying to achieve work life balance for small business owners we can’t neglect work (after all, we need the work to be able to have the breaks!), but it is a ‘chicken and egg’ situation, too. If you don’t have the breaks, you won’t have the business. It’s about ensuring you’re at your best so your business can flourish. Scheduling breaks, automating tasks, taking small steps, setting boundaries, and embracing self-care are small but effective ways you can give yourself that all-important headspace.
We were so lucky to have the holiday that we did, but it did remind us of the importance of letting yourself feel some peace now and then, and not thinking about websites and logos, etc, every day. So, we are going to try and put small breaks in place like coffee, walks, day trips, occasional lunches, and not talking work!!
What do you think? Will any of this work for you? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that investing in yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. And sometimes, we really don’t realise how much we need that balance.
