Sometimes it can be difficult to find balance in your personal and professional life. As an entrepreneur/business owner, you may often feel like you have too many hats. Sometimes, you may even have to wear more than one hat at a time! You're trying to be a good partner, parent, and business owner — you have a lot going on.

I understand that you have a busy life. The many hats we wear are important to us and they can bring us joy. But sometimes, we can get overwhelmed and need to take a step back. I am May Han, an entrepreneur, and therapist at Spark Relational Counseling. As an entrepreneur, I don't navigate the topic of work-life balance perfectly all the time either! I understand that it can feel difficult to find balance, but with the right kind of support and tool, it is possible.

Here are a few tips entrepreneurs like you can try to begin the process of finding a better work-life balance.

Shows a burnt out entrepreneur. Represents how therapy for entrepreneurs can help with finding the work-life balance you desire.

Be Aware of When Things Start to Feel Like “Too Much"

Often, as entrepreneurs or business owners, we thrive in "hard" work. As we work on a different aspect of our roles, we might ignore cues and feelings that signal to us that things are becoming too much. We end up using the sense of accomplishment to motivate ourselves and will keep pushing ourselves for more. However, not realizing the early signs of being overwhelmed can create more problems later such as burnout, exhaustion, or even depression. Having a work-life balance is important for us to stay healthy and happy.

When we are able to be aware of when things start to feel like “too much”, we can find our line and make a choice to course-correct.

Some signs can be physical cues of stress and overwhelm such as headaches, fatigue, or trouble sleeping. Or internal cues like your thoughts being distractible, or you feeling irritable, overwhelmed, even feeling distant, or as if you are drifting away. These can then manifest into behaviors such as scrolling your phone aimlessly or avoiding the task you are supposed to be doing. This is where we need to pause and notice what is happening so that we can make a conscious decision to do something about it!

Notice so You Can Make a Change

When we begin pausing and notice our mind and body's cues for overwhelm, we can make a conscious decision to do something about it. This is when you have the opportunity to make a mindful choice of what to do that will bring you joy and a sense of peace. Find your happy place.

What are those small things that can bring you a moment of peace?

Maybe it's a hug from your fur baby. Or it can be a hug from a loved one. You can even find a place where you feel peaceful. One that is in nature, scenic, or even one that is a familiar childhood space or memento. Give yourself the time and space to be mindful of your feelings and make a change. This will take practice, but it can be done!

Shows an entrepreneur rewarding themselves by going for a drive. Represents how work-life balance tips for entrepreneurs can help you find ways to better your mental health.

Reward Yourself for Accomplishments

As entrepreneurs, we focus on working hard at everything we do and can forget to reward ourselves. Taking time to reward ourselves for our accomplishments can help remind us why all the hard work is worth it. It can also bolster our sense of self-appreciation and motivation for future tasks.

The rewards for ourselves can be as simple as rewarding yourself with a nice, hearty meal. Or it can be buying the small thing you've been wanting. Or, it can be rewarding yourself with a fun activity like going for a drive or a bike ride. Anything that makes you feel happy and light — that's a great reward!

Work With Your Inner Child

Sometimes, we need to give our inner child nourishment and encouragement. Let's work with ourselves in a way that our inner child doesn't become neglected. As the saying goes, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!” So, let's make sure to carve out time for ourselves every day, even if it is just five minutes.

Our inner child needs to know that it is going to be taken care of and that we are going to place healthy boundaries with our commitments. We want to make sure that we are setting realistic expectations for ourselves. This way we can actually follow through with what we have set out to do.

Shows a calendar with highlighters. Represents how therapy for entrepreneurs can help you find ways to make time for what matters to you in your personal life as well.

Set Realistic Expectations

As entrepreneurs, it is natural for us to overestimate what we can get done in a certain amount of time. We are amazing, but let's be honest, we are not superhumans! That's why it is important to budget some break time, time for commutes, time to catch up, and even times to go to the restroom or refill our water. I have sometimes budgeted emergency hug times to get some affection from my dog or loved ones when I know I have a long day and it helps!

Having some downtime between tasks so that you can do smaller tasks like responding to emails, or keeping some memos can also be very helpful in balancing your day. Utilizing your calendar — meals, family time, errands, etc. can also help! This will make sure that you are taking care of yourself and your commitments.

When we are honest with ourselves and accept what is realistically possible, then it can be easier to prioritize our day. By taking the time to pause, notice, and then make a conscious decision to make changes, we can create balance in our lives. So, let's start today and make small changes that will add up to a better tomorrow.

Interested in Therapy for Entrepreneurs/Business Owners in Oregon, Washington, and Illinois

We can find the balance between hard work and self-care. We just need to know where to look and how to get there. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand the unique needs of fellow entrepreneurs and can provide support and guidance to help you create a more balanced life. This is why I provide therapy for entrepreneurs in Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. If you are ready to get started:

Fill out the contact form and choose a good call-back time.
Learn more about me and my services.
Start balancing your life today!

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Spark Relational Counseling

At Spark Relational Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services to support you and your needs. We offer anxiety treatment at our Portland anxiety clinic. For individuals with immigrant parents and/or trans-racially adopted adults, we offer culturally sensitive individual counseling to help you address issues around identity and culture. For professional working women with concerns around dating, we offer Individual therapy for loneliness that helps you feel more confident in building a strong romantic relationship. Additionally, for those in a relationship. we specialize in couples and marriage counseling and premarital counseling as well. We also offer online therapy in Oregon, online therapy in Washington, and online therapy in Illinois. We are here to support you on your path to a more connected and fulfilling life.