Whether you’re an emerging entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, building a company can be a blend of fulfilling, overwhelming, and exhausting.

Before you know it, you’re drowning in endless to-do’s, tirelessly working around the clock, and relying on one too many cups of coffee just to get through the day—all while burnout lurks on the horizon. 

As small business owners who used to allow work to run our lives, we know firsthand how much of a toll it can take on your health, well-being, and what matters most to you.

That’s why we’re sharing 5 tips that have personally helped us build a more balanced business (and life) we love without sacrificing ease, rest, and joy along the way.

5 Tips to Create More Balance in Your Business

1. Create your ideal week

Since no two business owners are the same, dishing out cookie-cutter advice around the benefits of waking up before the sun rises, meditating daily, or working out first thing in the morning simply won’t do the trick for creating more balance for everyone. 

However, what does work is planning out what you’d like your ideal week to look and feel like by blocking off time on your calendar.

For us, this translates to a 4-day workweek with mornings dedicated to personal development and deep work, afternoons blocked off for client meetings, and evenings reserved for family, friends, and personal hobbies. 

2. Make time to fill up your cup

Before diving into your to-do list every morning, take a moment to reflect on what you need most to fill up your cup. Some days, it might be going for a leisurely walk or meeting a friend for yoga. While other days, it might be as curling up with a good book or simply prioritizing additional rest.

While the satisfaction of taking good care of others can be undeniable, it’s equally important to prioritize taking good care of your personal well-being. 

That’s why we’re big believers in carving out additional time to slow down, reflect, and prioritize what you need most to be at your best—even if it’s just something small you do for yourself on any given day.

3. Give yourself permission to drop the ball

When you’re trying to keep all the balls in the air, you have to permit yourself and accept that you’ll drop a ball or two.

According to author Norah Roberts, “The key to juggling is to know which balls are glass and which are plastic and prioritize catching the glass ones.” 

In other words, there will be days when a particular project at work will be a glass ball you can’t drop. But there will also be days when your work will have to be put on the back burner so you can focus on your health, enjoying the holidays with your family, or reconnecting with a good friend. And since most plastic balls are unbreakable, you can always pick up where you left off.

4. Unsubscribe from the comparison loop

If you find yourself hesitant to reveal the challenging aspects of your life, rest assured that whoever you’re comparing yourself to is likely doing the same. But simple adjustments like muting the individuals causing you to compare, or reducing your social media consumption can make a world of difference.

As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparision is the thief of joy,” and during the low tides of your business, this quote can serve as a great reminder to focus on your journey instead of getting lost in someone else’s.

So, next time you find yourself in the comparison trap, redirect your attention to how far you’ve come and just focus on getting 1% better than you were yesterday. 

5. Schedule some time off

When you’re a small business owner wearing 10 different hats, it’s no surprise it can be hard to take a few days off, let alone take time off without feeling the need to constantly be on.

But the truth is, taking a break can do wonders for your creativity, productivity, and overall well-being.

So, the next time you find yourself pushing through work when you’ve got little energy left in the tank, take it as a sign to take some much-needed time off.

Not only will you return feeling more rested and refreshed, but it can also boost your overall job performance, motivation, and physical and mental health—which can have a positive ripple effect on other aspects of your life. 

Craving even more inspiration and actionable advice on building a more balanced business? Sign up to be the first to hear when our new podcast, The Balanced Brew, airs in collaboration with Lauren from Morning Cup of Media!