I was at a party with some ‘acquaintances’ that I really didn’t know and had someone ask “What do you do for a quid?”

My answer of reducing the health care costs for Australia did what I intended . . . got his attention! And he probed for more information. But before I could finish my next sentence he cut me off after I mentioned “work-life balance” by saying “That is a load of crap and impossible if you want to stay ahead!”

And that is the standard response I hear from small business owners.

The reality is that the majority of small business owners say in the first 12 months of business their health and relationships suffer. So then what’s the definition of getting ahead . . . “More money and no life!”

In my view, creating a work-life balance simply means that you can fit everything into your life that is important to you! The problem is that many small business owners don’t know what is important to them other than that ‘damn business!’ So consider:

• What gives you a buzz?
• What puts a smile on your face?
• What gives you enjoyment?
• What would you add to your current life to add greater self-satisfaction?

Oh and you are not allowed to answer money – like most small business operators! This is a deep and meaningful question to get you thinking! Ouch . . . I know . . . that is not what you expect in my blog. Plus you want answers and not questions!

Until you know the truth to some of these questions, then you can’t find the answers!!!

Work-life balance is more than just going to the gym. Or not checking emails at home. Or calling an old friend once a month. Or taking a loved one out to dinner. It is ALL these things and more.

I challenge you to consider your life greater than financial success or career development.

But what is important to me is different for you. I NOW know what is important to me – albeit too late, as I paid and continue to pay the price for imbalance.

You don’t have to make the same mistakes, so stop what you are doing now (yes right NOW!) and do these 3 things:

• What are the answers to the questions above?
• How much time do you need in your week to achieve these things? And when could you do them?
• How can you ensure you do fit them in to your busy schedule?

If we all took the few minutes it takes to really think about ourselves we would create a much healthier future for Australia and Australian businesses.

Related articles

• Work Life Balance – Making it all work (chagall1.wordpress.com)
• Changing the Work-Life Conversation to Address the Needs of Working Learners (corporatevoices.wordpress.com)
• Guest blog post: “Work/Life Balance as a Freelancer, (continued)”, by Konstantin Kisin (blogproz.wordpress.com)