Balancing Work, Family and Fun as an Entrepreneur

There’s a common mantra among entrepreneurs that, in order to succeed, you will need to make sacrifices and a work-life balance doesn’t exist. However, I’m here to tell you that a work-life balance does exist and you can find time for things that exist outside of your business. It’s always a challenge and it takes a lot of work to make it happen. Here are some of the ways I have learned to find balance between work, family, and fun as an entrepreneur.

Any entrepreneur would agree that one of the best parts of running your own business is the flexibility that it affords. Whether it’s early mornings or late nights, you have the freedom to work where and when is best. However, be responsible and define a peak time – a window for operating your business that not only aligns with you but also your team. Some people prefer or need to work earlier or later than others – whether it is their preference or having to make other commitments in life. It’s all about providing enough flexibility that maximizes collaborative and productive efforts, while accommodating activities outside of work. At Prizm Media, I believe that flexible hours and even options to work remotely is healthy for my team as well as their productivity. Everyone operates differently.

For me, being active is one of the best things I can do for my well-being. It helps clear my head, relax, and feel more balanced in my day. The downtime that I get for myself from running and biking has helped me generate some of my best ideas for work. In addition, making an effort to consume healthy, balanced meals (especially breakfast) throughout the week is vital for my mental and physical performance. That’s why at Prizm, we have a full kitchen for those who have challenges with meal prepping at home, along with providing nutritious food and snacks so people don’t have to go hungry, have proper fuel, and function at their best. While exercise is my happy place, it’s just one option. Perhaps you find a sense of well-being by painting or producing music. You can’t just always focus on work and not do anything else, you will burn out sooner or later. Whatever it is, incorporate it into your personal routine, and also find ways to promote healthy-living in your workplace.

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, work-life balance comes with time and experience. As much as you want it the next day, it may not be realistic until years later. When I started my business at 22, there was barely any downtime for life outside of work. The main priority at the time was all about aggressively growing my business within the next five years to make a name for Prizm and be above the competition. When the company became more stable, I had my first daughter at the age of 27. Through my daughter, I regained the importance of family-bonding and taking on more fun experiences outside of work. From then on, my co-founder/wife and I realized the importance of implementing a work-life balance culture to accommodate other priorities that were going on in everyone’s personal life as well as allowing them to wine-down. Because for me, it’s now more than just being a great entrepreneur, it’s also about being a great father.

Although work-life balance gets better with time and experience, it’s never easy. There are going to be days where you prioritize work over family, or family over work, and it feels like a mistake. You aren’t going to get it right all of the time, and it won’t be perfect. You have to keep working towards it. Adjust your work schedule, do something for your well-being, and know that it comes with time. When you start to hone in on that work-life balance, yourself, your family, your team, and your company will all be better for it.