Are You Letting the Demands of Life Push Your Dreams Aside?
It was one of those whirlwind days where my to-do list felt never-ending, and time seemed to slip away faster than I could catch it. After helping my mother-in-law through her morning routine—her care always comes first—I had only a brief moment to pause before the grandkids would burst through the door, their excited voices already ringing in my ears. My retired and content husband suggested we spend the afternoon together—a leisurely drive or maybe a quiet lunch. It was a simple enough request, but balancing everything felt like a delicate dance on a day like today. Work-life balance was the goal. But some days, it felt like fitting another puzzle piece I wasn’t sure how to place in the bigger picture.
And then, there was my business—the side hustle I had poured my heart and soul into since last year—sitting on the back burner, waiting for my attention. The unread emails seemed to mock me, and the marketing ideas I’d been brewing buzzed around in the back of my mind, begging for action. The fire was still there, quietly smoldering, but it felt like the clock was conspiring against me on a day like this, daring me to find enough time to keep everything afloat.
I stopped for a moment, staring at the clock, feeling the weight of it all. How was I to balance everything that mattered? My home, family, and business—each one pulling at me, all needing my attention—something had to give. But I wasn’t ready to let go of any piece of the life I’d built.
Then, I remembered a quote that had kept me grounded more than once:
“Time is a created thing. To say, ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.'” – Lao Tzu
And just like that, I knew what had to be done. I wasn’t going to let the day’s chaos decide for me. My dreams, my business—they deserved space in the day, too. I chose to carve out the time—not because it was easy, but because it was worth it.
Prioritize to Achieve Work-Life Balance
Finding time when life is full of responsibilities can feel like an impossible task, but some strategies can help us carve out those precious moments for what matters most. Here are a few ideas that have worked for me:
- Prioritize Ruthlessly: We can’t do everything, so focusing on what truly matters is essential. Each day, I look at my to-do list and pick the top three most important tasks for my business growth. The rest will wait.
- Time Blocking: A Key to Work-Life Balance Success: I’ve started scheduling blocks of time dedicated solely to my business. Whether it’s early morning before the house wakes up or an hour after my husband and mother-in-law are settled in for the evening, these moments become sacred work time.
- Asking for Help to Balance Life’s Demands: It’s hard to ask for help, but I’ve learned that I don’t have to do it all. Sometimes, I ask my husband to run an errand or have the grandkids help out with simple tasks. Delegating a little can free up more time for business.
- Multitasking for Better Work-Life Balance: Sometimes, I combine tasks when I can. I’ll listen to business podcasts or audiobooks while driving to appointments or brainstorm ideas for my business while doing laundry. These small moments add up.
- Set Boundaries and Protect Your Work-Life Balance: This has been tough, but I’m learning to say no when needed. It’s okay to set boundaries with family and friends when I need time to focus on my business. Saying no to something today can mean saying yes to a bigger dream tomorrow.
- Avoid Burnout: Breaks Are Essential for Work-Life Balance: Sometimes, I feel like I’m constantly moving, but I’ve realized that burnout will not help me or my business. Taking small breaks to recharge helps me be more productive and present when I dive back into work.
Time may be limited, but by making small changes and being intentional, we can find the moments to keep moving toward our goals, even with a full plate.
