When you own a business, it can sometimes feel like you can only have a successful business or a fulfilling life – not both – however, this really does not have to be the case. Yes, building and running a business takes a lot of time and dedication, but if you’re serious about also having a good life, it is possible to do, and what’s more, a better work-life balance will undoubtedly make you a better business owner anyway!

Okay, but how exactly do you run a business and have a life?

Make Better Use of Technology

From automated software that lets you cut out a lot of the admin around running as business to apps and chat lines – be sure to check out these chat line topic ideas – that enable you to have a love life even if you are busy, there are numerous pieces of tech that can give you your time back an enable you to run your life more efficiently, no matter what it is you want to do. Use them.

Hire Freelancers

You might not have a big enough budget to hire full-time staff yet, but chances are you can afford to outsource a few simple tasks, like bookkeeping or website maintenance to a freelancer who is probably better at it than you anyway! By doing this, you can free up more time to go on vacation, meet a friend for drinks, or hit that yoga class that you’ve been assured will help you manage your executive stress.

Schedule Free Time

If you plan your business schedule so that periods of rest are built-in, then it will be much easier to actually stick to it and take time out, whereas if you don’t leave gaps in your schedule for hobbies or resting or dating or whatever then chances are you won’t bother taking them and you’ll end up working yourself into the ground.

Set Realistic Goals

If you aim to be a millionaire within 2 years of starting your business, you will have no option but to work all hours god sends to have any chance of remotely getting near that goal. Whereas, if you give yourself 50-10 years to reach the same goal, you can afford to take a slightly more leisurely route, and actually stand more chance of meeting your aims. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, but if you don’t want to burn out, you need to be realistic too!

Get a Partner

Bringing in a business partner to share the load might not be for everyone, but if you are open to it, there is no denying that having someone else to share the burden with is a great way of ensuring you can have a life outside of your business. Not only that, but they are likely to bring fresh new ideas, and hopefully investment, to the table too, which is why it is something that’s well worth considering.

As you can see, it really is possible to run a business and have a life, but you have to want it and be willing to make the necessary changes!