Finding Balance: The Online Entrepreneur’s Guide to Thriving While Employed

In the age of the internet, the allure of online entrepreneurship is strong. But for many, the dream of building a side hustle clashes with the demands of a full-time job. This constant juggling act can quickly lead to burnout and overwhelm.

We tend to get so caught up in the rush that we forget to care for ourselves. As our stress increases, various physical and mental health issues, such as decreased immunity, poor concentration, irritability, depression, high blood pressure, and more, can occur.

We will explore strategies to find balance and thrive in this unique situation.

The Unique Challenges of the Employed Entrepreneur:

• Time Constraints: The most significant hurdle. Full-time work consumes a large portion of your day, leaving limited time for business development, marketing, and customer service.
• Energy Depletion: Working a 9-to-5 can leave you feeling drained, making it challenging to muster the energy and motivation to work on your online business in the evenings or on weekends.  
• Mental Fatigue: Constant switching between work modes (employee vs. entrepreneur) can be mentally exhausting.
• Blurred Boundaries: It’s easy for work and business to bleed into each other, making it difficult to truly disconnect and recharge.

Strategies for Finding Balance:

• Time Blocking:
  • Dedicated Work Blocks: Schedule specific times for your online business, even if it’s just 30 minutes a day. Treat these blocks as sacred and minimize distractions.
  • Batching Tasks: Group similar tasks together to improve efficiency. For example, schedule a block for content creation, another for social media engagement, and another for customer support.
• Prioritization is Key:
  • The 80/20 Rule: Identify the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of the results. Focus your limited time on these high-impact activities.
  • Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent/Important): Categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. Focus on important and urgent tasks first.  
• Automation:
  • Social Media Scheduling: Use tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule social media posts in advance.
  • Email Automation: Set up automated email sequences for customer onboarding, welcome messages, and follow-ups.
  • Content Calendars: Plan and schedule your content in advance to maintain consistency.
• Optimize Your Workflow:
  • Minimize Distractions: Turn off notifications, use website blockers, and find a quiet workspace to minimize interruptions.
  • Utilize Technology: Explore project management tools (Trello, Asana), note-taking apps (Evernote, Notion), and communication platforms (Slack, Discord) to streamline your workflow.
• Boundaries are Crucial:
  • Set Clear Boundaries: Define specific times for work, business, and personal time. Stick to these boundaries as much as possible.
  • Learn to Disconnect: When you’re not working on your business, resist the urge to constantly check emails or social media.
• Self-Care is Non-Negotiable:
  Boost your ability to cope with daily stressors by eating healthy foods, staying active, and getting sufficient sleep. Research shows a healthy lifestyle benefits physical and mental health, such as reduced stress and depression and a more robust immune system.
  • Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
  • Exercise Regularly: Even short bursts of physical activity can significantly improve energy levels and reduce stress.  
  • Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine.
• Community and Support:
  • Connect with Other Entrepreneurs: Join online communities or attend local meetups to connect with other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges.
  • Seek Support from Friends and Family: Talk to your loved ones about your entrepreneurial journey and the challenges you’re facing.

Finding balance as an employed entrepreneur requires consistent effort and experimentation. What works for one person may not work for another. The key is to find a system that works for you and to be patient with yourself as you navigate this challenging but rewarding path.

OnePoll surveyed 2,000 employed Americans to find their reasons for quitting their jobs. The result is that 55% left their careers to find a better work/life balance.

We understand that ongoing work/life stress can impact our well-being physically and mentally. Aside from finding a different career opportunity, there are positive steps that we can take to improve the work/life balance.

Living a healthy lifestyle is essential to improve coping abilities and decrease stress. Taking short breaks throughout the day helps us to refresh and clear our minds.

Creating a daily plan for work and personal tasks and time management allows us to take control of achieving our goals. Communication with colleagues and leadership is key, as well as taking control by reducing interruptions and eliminating multitasking.

Regularly practicing the preceding strategies can lead to good habits that will help you find a balance between your personal and professional life.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered financial or professional advice.