The work-life balance is arguably a myth. Many freelancers who are juggling a young family or caring for an elderly parent can testify to that. So, what’s the solution to keeping everyone happy, including yourself, without guilt and less stress?
This article shares tips and a new mindset to help you bridge the gap between your work and personal responsibilities, making them feel more natural and even enjoyable.
Guilt-free work-life integration
Many freelancers and small business owners are in a state of constant guilt and frustration. They try to achieve an impossible 50/50 split between their professional and personal lives, but this is an impossible goal for most.
A more sustainable and fulfilling model is one that rejects the idea of a rigid separation in favour of work-life integration. This approach acknowledges that for those who run their own companies, work and life are not separate entities to be balanced, but a single, fluid experience where responsibilities from both domains naturally coexist and overlap, according to US attorney Aaron Hall.
Knowing that there isn’t a perfect equilibrium can ease any sense of guilt you may feel you have had to drop one ball to keep another mid-air. You can start by intentionally blending your professional and personal lives in a way that aligns with their desired lifestyle.
For example, a business owner might take client calls during a walk with their family or brainstorm business ideas while cooking dinner or sitting at the kitchen table while the kids do their homework. This shift in mindset reduces the pressure and stress associated with trying to maintain an impossible divide.
Purposeful play
This mindset can be even more enjoyable by injecting moments of “purposeful play” in your day. This is a lifestyle skill that has been embraced by some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
According to one source, sometimes hobbies and fun distractions are the secret to their success.
The hobbies and pastimes of people such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Richard Branson are not mere distractions; they are essential, non-negotiable investments in their long-term resilience, creativity, and strategic capacity, according to the report.
These are not passive activities. They’re immersive and stimulating. They engage the body, intelligence, and emotions, which can help temporarily forget about work-related stress.
Consider these examples of how some of the world’s most successful leaders use play as a strategic tool:
- Bill Gates has reportedly played bridge, a hobby that hones his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in a low-stakes environment
- Richard Branson sees a direct parallel between the game of chess and business, stating that both require strategic moves and the ability to learn quickly from mistakes
- David Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, takes his mind off his gruelling corporate schedules by moonlighting as a DJ. He has, however, had to reel in his festival gigs since becoming CEO, but still dabbles at smaller, lower-key events: https://youtu.be/3edQaP0N9rI?feature=shared
Mental reset
Making sure you give yourself a mental reset every week can help you get that psychological distance from work necessary for reflection and big-picture thinking. Research shows that powering through the day without pauses can actually inhibit performance and lead to burnout.
Taking daily breaks, such as a five-minute stretch, a 20-minute YouTube somatic yoga session, or a walk around the block, could help beat mental fatigue. Whether you decide to integrate some kind of work in these activities is up to you, just as long as you enjoy the process.
Ultimately, if you take the mindset of the most successful founders, which is not to see your business as a separate entity from their life, but an extension of it, you can.
To have a successful business and an intentional life by design, you can integrate pleasurable activities into your work tasks and actively cultivate a life outside of work. By nurturing strong social connections with friends, family, and other freelancers, you can achieve this balance.
How to integrate your work with your personal life
- Take client calls while doing something you love, like visiting a museum or gardening. Use the new environment to spark creativity and discuss a project, then spend the rest of the time enjoying the exhibition or planting a new garden bed
- Combine networking or business meetings with your hobbies. If you enjoy running, hiking, or another activity, find local groups that include professionals in your industry. This allows you to build genuine connections in a low-pressure, social environment. Or schedule a working lunch with a client or fellow freelancer at a local park. Discuss business in a relaxed setting, and the fresh air and change of scenery re-energise everyone
- If you love sports or any form of exercise, such as hiking, combine it with professional development by listening to a relevant podcast or audiobook during your walk. This makes the learning feel like a hobby
- Use a passion, such as gardening, as a way to ‘play’ and reset. Use that time to design something new, see the creative process as a form of play. If you are caring for an elderly parent or child, they can accompany you in the garden, which is an excellent way to achieve multiple tasks without the guilt
- You can handle quarterly admin tasks like invoicing and expenses while watching your favourite TV show or listening to a favourite playlist or podcast. This turns a tedious chore into a more enjoyable, multi-tasking session. Just be sure to double-check your work
Once you develop this mindset, you should start to see new opportunities to integrate your work and personal objectives. That said, you do also need to set aside hobbies and diversions if they bring you joy and make you a happier business owner.