How To Balance Personal + Business | Sara’s Series

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How To Have Balance Between Personal + Business | Sara’s Series

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“My to-do list ran my life, it controlled how I felt, and how I set myself up for success for the following day.”

Have you ever left like this? The other week I was having bible study with my dearest friend and we were talking about how busy we always feel lately! That we have large to-do lists, but they never seem to be accomplished! The time that we have in our day is SO important.  We can get so wrapped up into trying to do one thing or staring at IG/Facebook all day that by the end, nothing on our to-do list is accomplished! It is beyond difficult and frustrating! Or by the time you get home (or step out of your office), your personal to-do list is just as long you want to just eat a tub of ice cream and cry…am I right?! I know I use to feel like this ALL the time. I would never feel I could catch up with my to-do list, but rather it would control how I felt. I would stay awake at night fretting over the things that I didn’t finish that I should done the day before. It was a nasty cycle that literally knocked me back. I never set myself up to succeed, but fail every day and this reality was taking away my joy from what I love to do.  Then one day Jake said, “Sara, where is your joy? Where is your happiness for what you LOVE to do?”

I finally saw. I saw what being disorganized meant for my marriage, my relationship with my mom, family members, friends, my home, my finances, and my fellowship with others. Then began to look at everything in my personal life and business life to decide what I had to do.

Defining Business Hours

Having a set time you will work and when you will stop work is so healthy! Michelle and I work out of her home from 9-4:30, everyday except for Friday’s. It helps us get on a really good sleeping schedule and regime for the morning time.

Take A Personal Day Off

If you are in the creative industry where you don’t work a normal 9-5 job, then this is your time to take control back! We always take a Friday or a Monday off depending on when a wedding is. This is always the time that Michelle and I clean our houses, do the PILE of laundry we have, work on our finances, prepare for a wedding, and have a morning to wake up at whatever time we want! Most of the time, we don’t have that!

Set Clear Morning + Nighttime Routines

I know most people don’t like the thought of routines, but this really does help wake up or ready yourself for bed. An example is: every morning I wake up between 6:30-7AM. I have my devotional time, drink my coffee, and do a small workout regime then I get ready for work! Every night I write in my prayer journal (at least three pages), shut off social media at 9:45PM, and have an evening walk with Jake without phones.

Remember To Let Go

There will be aspects of your business that you will have to let go in order to create a healthy personal life!

Create A Small To-Do List Each Day

Instead of creating a massive list of items to accomplish each day in both business and personal aspect, go small. While this might be odd, it helps encourage you as your working! You don’t get sidetracked with Social Media or being discouraged by not completing your list. Starting with your top three important items to do then make 2-3 more, is perfect for a day’s work!

It won’t always be perfect, but you taking that one step forward to setting yourself for success + balance!