The Juggle is Real – Navigating Business, Work, and Family as an Entrepreneur

Women in the Business Arena™

“There's this illusion or this idea that one day we won’t be juggling anymore, and I think that actually can self-sabotage us because we doubt where we are. We beat ourselves up for where we are, when really it is about learning to navigate the juggle more effectively, not to eliminate the juggle.”

This week on the Women in the Business Arena podcast, Sonya and Laura discuss staying sane, amidst the constant juggle of business, family, and life. If you’ve ever entertained the thought that someday, things will get “easier” and there will be less to juggle, you are not alone. The truth is, life will always be full of different components to balance. However, we can juggle them effectively, stay sane, and even find success in the midst of the juggle.

“Everything is really an ebb and a flow. So there are going to be times when we're navigating the juggle really well and there are going to be times where we have a lot more to juggle and it becomes the acceptance of where things are and some ability to step back for a second and look at what is actually a priority”

Many times the draw of owning our own business is having control of our schedule. However, when you’re running your own business there tends to be less separation between work life and personal life. With added flexibility comes added responsibility. Naturally, in some ways, business life blends with family life.

Juggling successfully begins with practising self-compassion. Managing all of the tasks day-to-day can be overwhelming for even the most successful business owner. Doing this effectively also means recognizing the things you’d like to keep in your life, and then recognizing when there are things that you need to let go. At times this means making a list of all of our tasks and cutting them in half. Other times, we have to accept the season of busyness, allow ourselves to juggle, and accept that there may be balls that are dropped.

“What we have to understand is that we are each individually unique. So what our needs are, what our capacity is, what we're capable of is going to be a hundred percent different from every single other person on the planet… that's why you have to stop comparing yourself.”

As a woman entrepreneur, you are not alone in the juggle! Find a mentor, join a women’s group, or find other individuals who can give you a fresh set of eyes in prioritizing. Being transparent in our struggle is the best way to join together and navigate the neverending to-do list. The goal isn’t to complete all of our tasks, but to find balance and fulfilment in our lives as entrepreneurs!

“it's not about checking off a to-do list. It's not about getting everything done. It's about navigating sustainably….we're looking to have a sustainable business.”

Find More Support For Women In Business:

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Thank you for being you. We are so honored to have you as a listener!