What is “balance” in the mind of today’s entrepreneur?
A common thought about entrepreneurs and weekends is that entrepreneurs need rest and relaxation just the same as others.
But as we know all too well, entrepreneurs always keep their eyes and ears open for possibilities and opportunities. They always keep their minds sharp in order to be able to evaluate and act upon the same. They always strive to stay fit to be prepared for grueling schedules and long days.
Nevertheless, taking care of mental and physical health certainly does not mean being complacent and lazy. Success is about balance… and focus on achieving goals!
An article at Entrepreneur.com shares that successful entrepreneurs have a passion for what they do, so working hard is part of their DNA. But anyone who is successful also recognizes that life and work are a marathon, not a sprint. Even they need downtime on the weekend to ensure they’re up to the task of being creative problem solvers and innovators Monday through Friday.
Sure, they may spend some time catching up on administrative work. They may spend time on a big project that needs special attention. And they should definitely spend time thinking about the future and considering the big picture.
But what successful entrepreneurs don’t do is spend the entire weekend buried under work. We all need a break, and entrepreneurs are no less immune to burnout than anyone else. Their weekends are spent restoring their bodies and minds and getting prepared to function optimally come Monday.
Read about nine things successful entrepreneurs do over the weekend to unwind and re-energize for the week ahead HERE.
Another article about entrepreneurs and weekends, and one that I highly recommend reading was written by The Franchise King, Joel Libava, In quintessential Joel-style he shares his personal perspective. Read One Entrepreneur’s Love-Hate Relationship With Weekends HERE.
I agree with all that is shared in the articles referenced above and there are many good points made about entrepreneurs and work-life balance. However, I believe entrepreneurs should do what is best for themselves every day. Sticking a square peg in a round hole just doesn’t work. Nor does a cookie-cutter approach.
Meaning, entrepreneurs should not and would not do something just because they’re told that it is what they should be doing. That’s would be against the grain of the entrepreneurial mindset. Their schedule or whatever must work for them. It must be aligned with what makes them most effective.
Each entrepreneur has a unique mindset and as such, balance for them may mean working all weekend as they can focus uninterrupted. For some waking up at 9AM is better for them than awaking at 4:30AM. Others may prefer working late hours. In the world of entrepreneurship, there is no one-size-fits-all formula. It comes down to what works best for them that will help create balance.
A Google search of the question, What is balance in life? defines it best… Balanced living means considering all aspects of your life: relationships, work, fitness and health, and emotional well-being. We all get bogged down with work and family responsibilities from time to time, but making time for yourself is necessary so that you can keep up with all your responsibilities.
And another search, What does balance mean in a person? provides the foundation of balance in life from the perspective of mental health… mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.
After all, the answers listed above are foundational components of a strong mindset and along with a unique skillset, are essential to success as an entrepreneur.
Take a few minutes to ponder the question… What works best for you to achieve balance in your life and that enables you to maintain your edge as an entrepreneur?
I’m sure you’ll agree, there is no universally correct answer. The best answer is only such as it pertains to you!
Have a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!
