Balance: Work, Family And Friendships

Filed in archive Entrepreneurship on April 12, 2007

It is very easy to get caught in the entrepreneurial trap of working longer hours, doing one more project or developing another idea.

Some will argue "Yeah, but I have this deadline!" That may be true, and you should keep your commitments. The real question is whether or not you have managed your time well.

Entrepreneurs are some of the worst time managers. Not because they do not know how to manage time. Rather, they know how, they often have a misguided sense of priorities.

Answer these questions honestly:

• How many hours did you work in the last week, last month? STOP and think.


• How many hours did you work this same month, one year ago?

Beware: if you have a pattern of working more and more hours each day (9 hours/day, 12 hours a day, then 14, 16 or more) you are on a path for burn out!

STOP, think about your answer to this question:

Is what you are planning to do right now more important than your spouse, kids or your friends?
Sometimes, it is more important, but often it is not. Have the courage to answer this question truthfully and then act upon it!

Change Something, Break The Pattern - Do Anything!

I suggest doing something different. Do something you would not normally do - something fun:

• Get outdoors


• Go for a walk


• Visit a friend


• Go for an expensive coffee


• Buy yourself an ice cream cone


• Go to a movie

The key to to break the pattern with a new pattern. Do something you want to do and something you enjoy, just for yourself. Be selfish.