Lifestyle Entrepreneurs: Balance, Free time, and Working to Live

Finding a work-life balance is even harder for entrepreneurs than it is for the Average Joe. After all, you’re out there making things happen for yourself – and in many cases, you have only yourself to answer to when it comes down to productivity and whether you’ve had a vacation in the last five years. Entrepreneurs are too often members of Overworkers Anonymous – so dedicated and driven that they don’t allow themselves to step back for a breather. The thing is, giving yourself some free time will not only improve your quality of life, it’ll renew your enthusiasm and help you approach problems in more creative ways.

Sure, sometimes you have to put in extra hours – that’s part of starting a business. But don’t let it get to the point where you’re living to work. Take a cue from lifestyle entrepreneurs: business owners who have set definable goals, but won’t let the desire to make money interfere too much with the enjoyment of their lives. Being a lifestyle entrepreneur involves taking control of your own destiny, mixing business and pleasure and having a lot of fun along the way. Here are some tips to find that balance.

Have a master plan. What do you want to achieve in the next three or so years? A compelling vision will drive you toward success, and when you put that vision in writing, you’ll have a nice clear picture of what you need to do to achieve it. It’ll help you cut out some of the stress and avoid the frantic pace of entrepreneurs who aren’t sure where they’re going and why.

Take short breaks during the day. This is an easy way to start giving yourself some time to clear your head. Take a walk, do some yoga, practice guitar, anything that will help you decompress a little and step back from your work. You might come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your tasks from a new angle.

Make lists. When you’ve got all of the week’s obligations floating freely in your head, it seems like more work than it really is. Writing it all down and scheduling a time for everything will help you manage your schedule in a way that allows breathing room.

Schedule down time. Put your afternoon bike ride, spa appointment, or child’s recital on your calendar and treat it just as you would a business obligation. Make it important, and you’ll be more likely to actually do it when the time comes instead of finding an excuse to work instead. This is especially true for vacations.

Delegate. You can’t do everything yourself. Let an assistant, employee or partner take on some of your tasks when feasible. Getting yourself a virtual assistant, who takes care of mundane tasks like scheduling appointments and doing research, can free up a lot of your time.

Create passive income. A passive revenue stream through referral programs, affiliate programs and pay-for-inclusion communities will help you make money and relax at the same time. It’s a way to get a little something on the side without working yourself to the bone.

Disconnect every now and then. If you constantly have your cell phone turned on and nearby, you’ll be tempted to sneak in work calls during family time, meals and other times that you should be stepping away from your work. So, turn it or leave it in the office every now and then. Ditto for other electronic devices, like PDAs and laptops. If the temptation isn’t there, you’ll enjoy yourself much more.

Get out of the office rut. Being a lifestyle entrepreneur can mean sitting on the beach with a drink in your hand and a computer in your lap, typing out an email while enjoying the salty breeze. Re-think where you can get work done. You don’t have to be in a stuffy office to be productive.

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