Finding work-life balance: Lessons for success

As an entrepreneur and business owner, I am frequently asked about work-life balance. Many people assume that because I own a business, freelance, write, teach professional development courses, have a teenage child, rescue dogs, and volunteer actively, I have mastered the art of work-life balance. While I have learned valuable lessons along the way, I must admit that I am not a master yet.

Let’s break the myth of work-life balance. The common perception is that work and personal life are separate compartments, and within the limited 24-hour day, we should be able to achieve everything we desire. However, this notion couldn’t be further from the truth. Striving for balance means understanding three important lessons.

Lesson One: Embrace the Art of Good Enough

As a recovering perfectionist and self-proclaimed Type A personality, I used to seek perfection in everything I did. I believed that each piece of work had to be flawless. But this unrealistic pursuit led to burnout and excessive stress. It took me a while to realize that striving for perfection stifles creativity and gives birth to chronic health issues.

Instead of fixating on perfection, I shifted my focus to achieving “good enough.” The art of good enough means recognizing that perfection is subjective. What looks perfect to everyone else might not be the same for you. Embracing this mindset has boosted my productivity and significantly reduced stress. I learned that no one but me would notice minute details like slightly mismatched tablecloths or the font not being exactly perfect. Strive for a well-executed outcome that is achievable and valuable. Your clients will be more than satisfied with your work, and you’ll have more reason to celebrate your victories and milestones.

Lesson Two: Embrace Imperfection in Your Home

I grew up in a meticulously organized and clean home. Naturally, I wanted to create the same environment for my own family when I became a mom. However, after years of sacrificing sleep and quality time with my child, I came across a life-changing devotional. It emphasized that investing time and energy into your family and others is far more important than folding that last load of laundry or obsessively tidying up. At that moment, I realized that as long as my house was clean and livable, a few specks of dog hair on the floor wouldn’t harm anyone. It was absolutely okay to leave the dishes for later and spend quality time with my child after dinner. Keeping our homes clean and organized undoubtedly enhances productivity, but they do not have to be perfect in every aspect.

Lesson Three: Embrace Your Unique Journey

Stop comparing yourself to others. Learn to embrace who you are and where you are in life. While it’s important to strive for personal growth and be the best version of yourself, remember that you are unique. You were created to be you, not someone else. Comparing your life to others and thinking that the grass is always greener on the other side will only lead to dissatisfaction. Invest in yourself, cultivate your own strengths, be grateful for what you have, and work towards achieving your own goals. This shift in perspective will bring newfound confidence and inner peace that you never thought possible.

The Secret: Effective Organization and Time Management

The key to achieving work-life balance lies in being well-organized and mastering time management skills. Recognize that some days will be dedicated to work, others to your family, and some to yourself. True balance can be found by looking at the bigger picture, whether it’s a week or a month. Group similar tasks together, block out dedicated time for yourself and your family, and fulfill work demands accordingly.

Let me share my personal method with you. I plan my schedule on a weekly basis using a monthly calendar. This calendar includes all my appointments, due dates, goals, projects, responsibilities, and those of my family and team. By visualizing the big picture, I can then focus on planning my week. I prioritize my “mom duties” and workout time, followed by appointments, travel time, and allowances for extended meetings. Next, I create a list of upcoming work tasks categorized by due dates, assigning them to specific days. I also reserve specific time slots for catch-up, planning, or recovery activities, such as responding to weekend emails. Additionally, I try to schedule all my meetings on two specific days, leaving the rest of the week for focused work time. Finally, I allocate time for household responsibilities and create an action plan to achieve them.

While this method works efficiently in most cases, there are days where circumstances beyond our control limit our accomplishments to minimal tasks, like making the bed. On such occasions, I have learned to give myself grace, accept these days, and cherish the lessons learned. I have also realized the importance of not overwhelming my schedule, as it’s better to set realistic goals that I can achieve successfully.

The concept of work-life balance does exist, but it may not align with our previous expectations. As I continue on my journey to find balance, I encourage you to find yours. Remember, it’s a continual learning process. Embrace the art of good enough, accept imperfections in your home, stop comparing yourself to others, and prioritize effective organization and time management. By implementing these lessons, you’ll be well on your way to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Sara Orellana lives in Oklahoma City and writes a weekly column for The Lawton Constitution.