The first set of daunting challenges when starting your own business is often related to conquering the business vernacular and know-how, but there is yet another challenge that is often overlooked: how to juggle work and family commitments. According to a 2013 Tribe Research survey* of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network community, the biggest challenge its members faced in the last twelve months was negotiating a healthy balance between work and family life. Almost half of those surveyed (47%) say they have struggled with the pressures of their professional pursuits and personal commitments. It is a perennial problem, and one that many businesswomen (and men) face on a daily basis. It can also be particularly difficult for those who start their own business and work from home to spend more time with their family. The demands of business can sometimes become blurred with family commitments, and it can be a challenge to separate the needs of your business from the needs of your personal life. In such an environment as this, where things can become overwhelming over time, it is important to tackle the issue head-on and set clear parameters around your business and family life. With sixty-three percent of full-time business owners also parents to children, it is especially important to minimise time wasted.
So how can you strike that delicate balance between work and family life?
Whether it is learning how to harness the power of social media for your business or connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, the availability of online resources can help increase productivity and efficiency. You can make more time for the things that really matter, by taking advantage of all the online world has to offer. Australian Businesswomen’s Network members benefit from free online webinars, reducing time that would otherwise be spent travelling to business presentations and meet-ups.
From regular blog posts with small business tips to podcasts and weekly newsletters, your professional development need not take a backseat.
While juggling work and family will always be a fine balancing act, there has never been a better time for it. With mobile and online technologies on the rise, it is becoming easier to maximise productivity and increase your efficiency as a professional. Learn more information about the benefits of Premium Membership with the HerBusiness Network. *Survey conducted by Tribe Research, commissioned by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network
