Entrepreneurs often face the challenge of balancing the demands of their business with personal life. To uncover effective strategies, we’ve gathered insights from CEOs and Founders, providing seventeen diverse perspectives on work-life integration. From adopting flexible work planning to blocking time for self-care, discover how these leaders integrate work and personal life for a more harmonious existence.
- Adopt Flexible Work Planning
- Create Work-Home Boundaries
- Value Friendships in Business
- Cultivate Identity Beyond Entrepreneurship
- Hustle Then Balance Life Domains
- Blend Work with Personal Passions
- Maintain ‘Switch-Off’ Time for Family
- Set Clear Work-Life Boundaries
- Plan Meticulously, Manage Time Smartly
- Prioritize with Intentional Questions
- Listen to Your Gut for Balance
- Learn to Say ‘No’ More Often
- Establish Firm Work-Life Boundaries
- Delegate and Trust Your Team
- Use Technology Mindfully
- Connect with Like-Minded Entrepreneurs
- Block Time for Self-Care
Adopt Flexible Work Planning
As a parent to a child with high-support needs, my business has to fit around our lives. With unpredictable childcare, fluctuating energy levels, and the inevitable sick days, it’s hard to plan too far in advance when it comes to my work. So rather than getting frustrated that my days and weeks don’t look the way I’d planned, I’ve adopted a more flexible approach to planning, project management, and even goal setting that accounts for these ebbs and flows in my time by design.
So rather than assigning myself hard deadlines and time-blocking every hour of my day, I prefer to have a loose grip on my projects and allow myself to dip in and out of work as our life allows. I even tried out removing deadlines completely from my business last year, and rather than seeing projects dragging on, I actually found it was far more productive without the pressure to get things done at any specific time! Since loosening my grip on deadlines and reframing my sense of urgency in my business, I’ve been able to ship more products, make more sales, and give better customer service than when I was working to fixed timelines!
Michelle Pontvert
Online Business Strategist & Educator, Michelle Pontvert
Create Work-Home Boundaries
Early on, I learned the importance of separating work and personal life. For example, when working from home, behave as if you are in an office. This means no household chores during work time. Similarly, when you are done working, step away from your computer and stay away until it is time to work again.
It is also valuable to block time on your calendar for work projects, and to block time for yourself, including exercise and time with family/friends. If you want to do something different with scheduled time, be sure to move it rather than cancel it.
Remember that taking care of your relationships, exercise, and diet does make a big difference in your functionality and efficacy when working.
Cathy Liska
CEO, Center for Coaching Certification
Value Friendships in Business
I founded my company with my best friend. Many were concerned this was a horrible idea and would ruin our friendship and the business. To combat these concerns, in our operating agreement, we outlined ways we would maintain and value our friendship while still pushing the business forward. This strategic plan has allowed me to combine my personal life and our business seamlessly. I get to tackle challenging problems with someone whom I trust. We get to spend time together as friends and then also as business partners. Going into business with a close friend is scary to some, but if you are clear with the expectations and put details into how you will value your friendship in your operating agreement, you have the opportunity to build a more robust friendship and business, all at the same time!
Sam Panitch
Co-Founder and CEO, Elevation Nation
Cultivate Identity Beyond Entrepreneurship
Balancing personal life as a busy entrepreneur is not an easy task, but without extracurriculars and downtime, I find my ability to lead an organization from a positive and inspired state of mind is nearly impossible. I have had to work hard to establish an identity that is more than just an entrepreneur, but defined by other interests and hobbies such as gymnastics, acting, and scrapbooking. I am also a new mom of a one-year-old. Stepping back and focusing on my self-care and my identity outside of work not only allows others in my organization to step up and take ownership, but helps me show up as my best, whole self.
Keaton Ray
COO, Co-Founder, Physical Therapist, MovementX, Inc.
Hustle Then Balance Life Domains
Before I was married, and certainly before I had children, I allowed myself to work anytime. It was all about identifying the biggest opportunities and out-working everyone else. I used to nap before dinner so I could put in a few more hours in the evening. That all changed once two things happened: My company became financially stable, and I had kids. It just so happened that these two events occurred close to one another. When my first child was born, I was cramming projects, doing as much as I could at any and all hours of the day. By the time our second child was born, my company was financially stable, and I could really focus on being available and present for my kids and wife. I remember working late and hard after our first was born, feeling bummed I was working and not doing tummy time or taking him for outings, but I knew it was the requirement to have that space for the rest of his life.
So you ask for a practical tip — my tip is to be unreasonable when you get started. Be hungry. Focus on work and level up a few degrees. Then be realistic with yourself about when you’re at a good point to then level up the other areas of your life: health, fitness, relationships, parenting, friendship, spirituality, hobbies, etc.
Show me anyone who did anything incredible, and I’ll show you a person who blocked out as much as they could to focus on the task at hand, in order to earn the opportunity to have spaciousness.
I never thought I’d recommend hustle, but here I am as proof that focus and hard work are required to break free of the habit gravity I was stuck in. Now, I take my son to school, then do a 45-minute hike in the woods. I don’t work Fridays. I have rich hobbies and travel with my family.
Casey Stanton
CEO, CMOx
Blend Work with Personal Passions
Being a mom and wife takes a lot, but luckily, my work and personal life blend together pretty well. Weekends are all about family time and recharging. We do fun outings, but I also make sure to carve out some ‘me time’ for self-care. Yoga and meditation are both passions of mine, and luckily, they also happen to be part of my business. That way, I can recharge and stay centered while still feeling productive.
Echo Wang
CEO and Founder, Yoga Kawa
Maintain ‘Switch-Off’ Time for Family
Successfully balancing work and personal life lies in creating boundaries and maintaining a structured routine. As an entrepreneur, a strategy that has consistently worked for me is approaching work with an ‘efficiency-first’ mindset. I’ve found that spending quality hours at work helps me achieve more and still leaves room for personal time later in the day. On a practical level, breaking down my day into specific blocks—a few hours for deep work, meetings, creative brainstorming, and so on—has significantly improved my productivity. Another vital part of my strategy is strictly maintaining my ‘switch-off’ time. Regardless of what I am working on, I ensure to switch off from work mode by 7 PM to spend quality time with my family. These components, coupled with regular exercise and proper sleep, have helped me create a harmonious blend of work and personal life.
Riccardo Ocleppo
Founder & Director, OPIT
Set Clear Work-Life Boundaries
It’s easy for work to consume the time of your life if you let it. But work is only one part of your life. There are so many other things to enjoy and experience—relationships, family, fun, nature, hobbies, learning, and development, even caring for your health. I am clear about what I value. That guides my actions and ensures that I focus on my priorities and what is important to me.
I created strict boundaries around my work so that there is plenty of time to be with my hubby, work out, do fun things, and just read. I start my work at a certain time, set goals so I use the time wisely, end at a certain time, and do not work in the evening or on weekends. I believe having those clear boundaries around my work life enables me to have a life that is all-inclusive and not solely focused on productivity.
I try to remember that you cannot rewind your life; I don’t want to waste time wishing I had done things differently. It’s important to me that I enjoy this life experience—all areas of my life—so I do my best to be on purpose each day and have a clear focus for my deliverables as well.
Dr. Julie Donley
Executive Coach and Author, Nurturing Your Success LLC
Plan Meticulously, Manage Time Smartly
Effectively integrating work and personal life as an entrepreneur requires meticulous planning and smart time management, whether I’m at home or traveling.
At home, I maintain control over my schedule by meticulously planning my week in hour-by-hour detail. It helps me prioritize and fulfill both work and personal commitments effectively.
When I travel, I make it a point to set daily and trip-wide goals. Daily goals are great for staying on top of important tasks while enjoying local experiences, which makes my trip more productive and enjoyable. Trip-wide goals, such as learning basic phrases in the local language, give my travels purpose and a great sense of achievement.
Carey Bentley
CEO, Lifehack Method
Prioritize with Intentional Questions
Early in my career, I prided myself on working harder than anyone else. I’d get up earlier, stay up later, respond to more emails, and ultimately get more done.
Now, rather than being the best at working the hardest, I strive to be the best at time management. Every day, I ask myself a series of three questions: What are my priorities? Would I have the same priorities if we were 10x our current size? How can I best serve the team today with my time?
This line of thinking forces me to be better, delegating what I can, and focusing on what I can uniquely deliver to improve the organization. It’s not only my team that benefits, but my family as well. Reflecting on how to best use my time also reminds me that, when in the presence of family, the number one priority should be with them.
Wherever I am physically, I strive to be mentally.
Lastly, I’ve boiled my focuses down to three domains, as I strive to be a great parent, partner, and professional. When I’m operating at my best, I can give my all to each of those facets of my life. Swimming upstream, I know I have to take great care of myself to deliver my best to each domain.
Josh D’Angelo
CEO, MovementX
Listen to Your Gut for Balance
What works for me is to consider my life being made up of “three rings” like a circus. I have a “work ring,” a “self ring,” and a “relationship ring.” What I find helpful is not to look for balance across these three rings, but to ask myself the question, “Which ring do I need to be in right now?” As an entrepreneur, if I am exhausted from working really hard and I honestly ask myself this question, I know I need to shift to my self ring to rest. If I’m feeling lonely because I have neglected my friendships lately due to my workload, I know I need to initiate time with others to refuel my emotional energy. Then I’ll actually be more productive when I return to my work ring. It’s all about being intentional and listening to your gut. It will remind you of where you need to be now to be at your best later.
Jones Loflin
Keynote Speaker and Author, Helping Others Prepare For Excellence
Learn to Say ‘No’ More Often
When I first started my business, I really had no idea how much time and effort would go into running and owning a business. From struggling to maintain relationships with friends and family to hitting seven figures our first year, trying to understand work-life balance was quite the struggle. One of the biggest tips that was given to me by another entrepreneur was “learn to say ‘no’ way more times than saying ‘yes.'” It sounds like such an easier thing to do, but it’s so much harder than most people think. I feel as an entrepreneur we feel like we’re superheroes sometimes, but also, if we can’t complete whatever it is we’re trying to do, then we feel like we’re super zeros. So, learning to say ‘no’ way more than you say ‘yes’ is a critical tip in gaining the harmonious blend of personal life and being a badass entrepreneur.
Joey Lowery
Founder & Marketing Coach, Media Shark
Establish Firm Work-Life Boundaries
Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with personal life is an ongoing challenge, but one practical strategy that has significantly helped me is setting clear boundaries. As the founder of Storage Hub, it’s easy to let work consume all aspects of my life, but I’ve found that establishing firm boundaries is crucial for maintaining a harmonious blend of both.
One of the most effective approaches I’ve adopted is designating specific work hours and sticking to them as much as possible. This means starting and ending my workday at set times, just as if I were clocking in and out of an office. This routine helps me mentally separate my professional responsibilities from my personal life, ensuring that I’m fully present in both arenas.
Additionally, I’ve implemented ‘no-work zones’ within my home. Certain areas, like the dining room and living room, are designated as work-free zones. This physical separation helps reinforce the boundary, making it easier to switch off from work mode and fully engage with my family and leisure activities.
I also have a strict policy about disconnecting from work-related communications after hours. I avoid checking emails or taking calls during family meals or personal time unless it’s an emergency. This not only helps me relax and recharge but also shows my team the importance of work-life balance, setting an example for them to follow.
Implementing these boundaries hasn’t been without its challenges, especially when urgent issues arise, but the benefits to my well-being and relationships have been immeasurable. It’s about respecting your own time and that of those around you, ensuring that work doesn’t overshadow the personal experiences that enrich our lives.
Alex Stein
Founder, Storagehub
Delegate and Trust Your Team
I found that having confidence in the team I established within the company was the most effective way to achieve a healthy work-life balance. I didn’t fully trust anyone to run my business the way I envisioned it, so at first, I had a hard time setting boundaries and managing my time. This changed when I began trusting my team and delegating responsibilities, which lightened my workload and allowed me to zero in on tasks only I, as the owner, could fulfill. It was a gradual process, but it’s now at a point where I am able to spend an ideal amount of time with my loved ones and personal endeavors since I trust my team enough to not run my business into the ground when I’m not there. I’ve also begun to set designated work hours so I can avoid working late into the night or even during the weekends.
James Bowdler
Founder, PrimeCarers
Use Technology Mindfully
Technology is a major part of most people’s workday, and even afterwards. We are always looking at some sort of device, which can cause us to blur the lines between work and personal downtime. I have found that mindful use of technology helps me to set boundaries between work and personal life, reducing the tendency to overwork. And in general, it allows for designated times to focus on personal activities and relationships without constant work interruptions.
Mindful use of technology promotes stress management by preventing information overload and constant connectivity. Entrepreneurs can disconnect from work-related notifications and tasks during personal time, promoting relaxation and mental recharge. Setting these types of boundaries around tech also encourages self-reflection and awareness of how it impacts work and personal life balance. Entrepreneurs can identify habits or behaviors that contribute to imbalance and make conscious adjustments to achieve greater harmony.
Ben Whitmarsh
Owner and Managing Director, Generators for Export
Connect with Like-Minded Entrepreneurs
Even though entrepreneurs share some traits (being driven, creative, ambitious, etc.), there’s still a huge variety of personality types within the entrepreneur community.
So when you find fellow entrepreneurs that match your style, ethos, and values, integrating your work and personal life is actually pretty easy. Some of my most fulfilling relationships are with fellow entrepreneurs and driven creatives. It’s not hard to hang out with them because they’re great people!
Looking for community online is great, but exploring community events in your area is even better. You might meet your new best friend at the next event you go to, which enriches both your personal and professional life.
Delaney Rietveld
Website Copywriter, Dark Roast Copy Co.
Block Time for Self-Care
As entrepreneurs, we are continually thinking about our business, whether we’re in the office, out to dinner, or in the dentist’s chair. It’s hard to turn your brain off when you are so passionate about what you do—and when you know that it’s up to YOU to keep finding work and income!
While I try to make myself as available as I can for clients and potential clients, I have discovered that blocking off time for exercise, dog walks, and socializing with friends over lunch or coffee helps my stress levels tremendously, without impacting my work. For example, I play tennis with some friends every Tuesday morning. If someone asks to meet at that time, I say, “I have a standing appointment on Tuesday mornings, how about this Thursday at 9?” No one questions that at all—but it took me a while to get over my guilt for reserving time for myself.
There is no such thing as a perfect balance between work and personal life! You will never feel like you’re getting it just right. But blocking off time for your own health and sanity and holding it sacrosanct helps you get that much closer to a cadence that helps you be your best at home and at work.
Kelly Berry
Fractional Futurist, Learn Start Grow LLC
