One pro about working for yourself is that you can set your own schedule, and you don’t have a boss to answer to. One con about working for yourself is that you can set your own schedule, and you don’t have a boss to answer to.
When I first entered entrepreneurship nearly five months ago, it was after months of working with a business coach who helped me frame out what I wanted my business to be, offered me advice on how to structure my day and work with clients, and showed me some of the tools she relied on to keep herself on track. But as with any teaching experience, some things can only be learned by doing, and I believe entrepreneurship is one of them.
The first month I worked for myself felt like swimming in the ocean. At first, it’s calm and peaceful. Then, suddenly, a wave comes from out of nowhere, and you’re tumbling underwater. There were many days when I felt like, “I got this!” And then there were other days where I felt like I had no clue what I was doing…but I knew I was doing it really well (LOL). Candidly, I found structuring my days a little hard in the beginning when I was starting with my first client. But then, as I worked behind the scenes on what I wanted my business to look like (more on that to come soon), and eventually got other clients, it became a little easier to balance my time.
Among the very first tasks I had when I transitioned from working in an office to working in my living room was to create a realistic schedule for myself. I knew from two years of working from home during the pandemic how easy it could be to work all day. And I also knew from two years of working from home during the pandemic how “sleeping in” can become a habit. So, when I created my schedule, I added things to my calendar like workouts, visits with my grandmother, and a quitting time for the day. But the one thing I found to be crucial was adding in some time for a hobby or a passion.
When you work for yourself, you have no co-workers, no after-work drink invites, and little time for socialization throughout the day. So, when it comes to structuring my days, I like that if the opportunity presents itself, I can go horseback riding in the morning (and not have to be limited to just the weekends, as I was in a 9-5 job). I’ve found that creating a sustainable work-life balance has made me more productive and has also allowed me to be more creative as an entrepreneur. If you’re struggling with burnout, try restructuring your routine and creating boundaries around what you need your work life to look like. In the end, it will allow you to be happier and more fulfilled in your endeavors and will make it easier for your clients to know when and how to work with you.
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