Between the Broom and the Keyboard: Reflections on Balancing Home and Personal Business

The title sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  Many of us go through the same thing, and perhaps we don’t realize it, or if we do, we don’t talk about it.

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Today, I am feeling exhausted from all the household work I had to do. I cleaned the air conditioning units myself instead of hiring a technician, saving a few dollars. Then, I organized my small office, washed the porch, and bathed my dogs, Luna and Grace. After that, I took a bath, had lunch, and went grocery shopping with my partner. Although shopping with her is enjoyable, she takes too long.

I made a commitment to dedicate time to the development of my business, particularly to do my post every Saturday. However, my wife called me to pick her up from rehearsal with the kids at the church. I went to pick her up and we stopped by the ice cream parlor on the way home to enjoy some family time after a long day.

This routine today leads me to reflect on how to manage time equitably and balancedly, to be able to carry out our household chores and leave time, space, and energy to dedicate to our business.

Balance between personal and professional life:

Striking a balance between personal and professional life, while pursuing personal business goals, is a desirable aim for many in modern society. Yet, achieving this balance is a constant challenge due to the numerous responsibilities that we face both at home and at work. Recognizing and respecting these responsibilities is essential to achieve a satisfactory balance between both aspects of our lives.

To begin with, it is vital to recognize that our responsibilities at home, work, and with respect to the development of a personal business are equally valid and meaningful. Often, we tend to prioritize our work responsibilities due to the pressure of productivity and professional success. However, we must remember that our family and domestic responsibilities, as well as the commitment to grow a personal business, also require time and attention.

Social expectations and external pressure:

Social expectations and external pressure can significantly influence our priorities and decisions, especially when it comes to balancing household responsibilities, work, and personal growth. Society often presents an ideal of success that involves maintaining a clean and successful home while achieving professional goals.

This pressure to meet these expectations can lead to internal conflict as we try to balance the demands of home with our professional aspirations. From personal experience, I’ve found that this pressure can make me feel like I have to choose between dedicating time and energy to keeping my home in order and developing my business.

On one hand, I feel the need to meet the social expectations of having a clean and organized home, which often requires a significant amount of time for household chores. On the other hand, I also feel the pressure to grow my business and achieve my goals, which requires time, dedication, and focus.

This dichotomy between household responsibilities and business development can lead to feelings of guilt or anxiety. I worry that prioritizing one area over the other may disappoint those around me or compromise my professional success.

However, over time, I’ve learned that finding a balance is possible. I’m learning to manage my time better, set clear boundaries between work and personal life, and practice self-compassion when things don’t go as planned.

Furthermore, it’s essential to challenge social expectations and define our own sense of success and satisfaction. Rather than succumbing to external pressure to meet a predefined ideal, I’ve decided to focus on what matters most to me and work towards my own goals and aspirations, both personally and professionally.

In summary, social expectations and external pressure can influence our sense of priorities and create internal conflict between household responsibilities and business development. However, by recognizing and challenging these expectations, we can find a balance that allows us to live a fuller and more satisfying life while also achieving our personal and professional goals.

Self-compassion and flexibility:

Self-compassion and flexibility are crucial qualities for maintaining a healthy balance between household responsibilities and business development. Recognizing that we cannot always meet all our responsibilities perfectly is fundamental to maintaining our mental and emotional health amidst the demands of everyday life.

Firstly, self-compassion allows us to treat ourselves with kindness and understanding when things don’t go as planned. Instead of harshly criticizing ourselves for not meeting all our tasks or goals, self-compassion invites us to be gentle and understanding with ourselves, recognizing that we are imperfect human beings who sometimes make mistakes or face unexpected challenges.

Flexibility also plays a crucial role in our ability to adapt to fluctuations and changes in our circumstances. Sometimes, life presents us with obstacles or unexpected situations that can interfere with our ability to meet all our responsibilities optimally. In such moments, it is important to be flexible and willing to adjust our expectations or ask for help when necessary.

Additionally, recognizing that it is okay to ask for help is fundamental to avoid overload and burnout. Often, we feel pressured to do everything ourselves, mistakenly believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness or incompetence. However, asking for help when we need it is actually a sign of strength and wisdom, as it allows us to share the burden with others and receive the support we need to thrive.

Ultimately, practicing self-compassion and flexibility allows us to navigate the ups and downs of life with greater resilience and well-being. By being kind and understanding with ourselves, and by being willing to adapt and ask for help when necessary, we can find a healthier balance between our household responsibilities and the development of our business, and live a fuller and more satisfying life overall.

Here are some tips for managing balance:

1. Prioritize your tasks: Make a list of all your responsibilities, both at home and in your business, and prioritize them according to their importance and urgency. This will help you focus on the most important tasks and leave the less urgent ones for later.

2. Set clear boundaries: Define specific schedules for working on your business and for dedicating time to household chores. Setting clear boundaries will help you avoid overwork and allow you to enjoy quality time both at work and at home.

3. Delegate tasks when possible: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, or colleagues when you need it. Delegating tasks will help you lighten the load and allow you to focus on the responsibilities that are most important to you.

4. Practice self-care: Dedicate time to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. This may include exercising, meditating, practicing hobbies you enjoy, or simply taking time to relax and rest.

5. Be realistic with your expectations: Recognize that you won’t always be able to meet all your responsibilities perfectly, and that’s okay. Accept that there will be days when things don’t go as planned and allow yourself to be flexible and compassionate with yourself in those moments.

6. Communicate your needs: If you feel overwhelmed or need help, don’t be afraid to communicate it to the people around you. Open and honest communication is key to maintaining healthy relationships and getting the support you need.

Remember that finding a balance between household responsibilities and your business is an ongoing process that will require adjustments and adaptations over time. Be patient with yourself and give yourself permission to experiment and learn along the way. With time and practice, you will find the strategies that work best for you and will be able to enjoy a more balanced and satisfying life.

If you found this helpful, feel free to comment and share. To your success!