To the working mothers and mom-preneurs: how do you maintain your work-life balance?

What we found was that maybe this supposed balance doesn’t actually exist! So what’s the answer, then? How do these women manage to participate and be successful in both family and work life? Well, I’ll defer to the experts. This is what our friends and clients had to say:

Great insights.

This post on The Glass Hammer also acknowledged the mythical nature of this kind of balance, and the author, executive coach Ann Daly PhD, offered her strategies for “finding your focus” among both family and professional demands. A large part of that, she says, is “committing to being present in every moment, wherever you are,” echoing what Arlene had mentioned to us on Facebook.

Let’s continue the conversation here! What are your thoughts? If a true work-life balance doesn’t exist, how do you stay on track? Moms, how are able to fulfill both roles? Let us know in a comment below.

P.S.– A happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms out there from the ladies at the Women’s Business Center!

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We often acknowledge how fortunate we are to have the resources of the College at our disposal, and this Roundtable was no exception – our clients always benefit from these kinds of educational opportunities. Dennis Koch, PhD, coordinator of the Health and Human Performance program at Canisius and our friendly neighbor down the hall, was nice enough to put on the presentation for the Coaching ladies, with the help of some of his graduate students. Together, they facilitated a discussion on the importance of managing health, especially for a small business owner. Covering topics like stress management, body composition, diet and exercise, and blood pressure and cholesterol control, the group was not only given a basic understanding of these vitals, but they discussed goal setting and problem-solving techniques to achieve their health-related goals.

So why is health important to your business?

Owning and operating a business can be an emotionally, psychologically, and physically demanding job. And for women business owners, who often are trying to balance the demands of family life as well, the stresses on personal health are that much greater. So what happens if you’re not 100%?

We’ve been doing some research around here recently on the factors that contribute to business failure; often they are financial and organizational issues, but personal issues facing a business owner or sole proprietor can be damaging. By taking steps to keep yourself well, both physically and mentally, you can prevent possible health problems and ensure that you have the ability and energy to focus on running your business. Your productivity, unhindered by stress, a cold, or something more serious, is valuable.

Simply, your health impacts your performance. To operate at your best, we suggest these helpful health tips:

• Eat a balanced diet: We’re not suggesting you go on a diet… just be conscious of what you eat, get your fruit and veggies, and maybe get rid of the secret candy stash in your desk drawer. At the WBC office, our fridge is usually stocked with yummy yogurt and fresh fruit .
• Be active: Take some time out to go for a walk, play with your kids, or maybe, if you’re feeling adventurous, practice some office yoga. Canisius recently held a “Get in Step” program which gave out pedometers to measure and increase the amount of steps taken in a day.
• Manage stress: Make sure to maintain a balance between work and play. Even if you LOVE what you do, it’s always important to have time to de-stress. Get your 7-9 hours of sleep in, relax, and stay positive.

What health tips do you recommend? How do you think your health impacts running a business? Let us know in a comment below.

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On November 19th, the Women’s Business Center will be holding two Open House information sessions, from 8-10 am and 4-6 pm. Stop in to discover what we are all about, what we offer, and how we can help you grow your business. The events are open to all local area business owners. Come, enjoy some light refreshments and see what steps you can take to start working “on” your business – not “in” it for a change!

Ask us about programs like Coaching and The Forum Series, and find out what they can do for your business.

Email us or call Sheila Walsh at (716) 888-8285 if you’re planning to join us, or if you would like more information.

Find out more about Sheila in our next “Meet the Staff” post!