Work-life balance ‘a crock’
Business coach reveals why it’s a myth for small business owners
VETERAN life and business coach Babette Bensoussan doesn't buy into the idea of small businesspeople having a work-life balance.
"I would argue that [it's] a crock!" said the Sunshine Coast businesswoman with a laugh.
Ms Bensoussan, the founder of MindShifts, has spent 25 years working with business owners and executives.
"A small businessperson is (on the go) 24/7; it never stops, because it is their small business and their life," she said.
"When people talk about work-life balance, does that mean while they're at work they're one kind of living person, and when they're at home they're another kind of living person? You're not, you're who you are the whole time.
"I think people need to have a shift in their thinking about how they perceive their lives."
A December 2018 study of small businesses illustrated the lengths to which owners go to succeed. The research, conducted by YouGov, showed 54 per cent of small business owners surveyed spend six to seven days a week on their business, with more than one in four (28 per cent) working seven days a week.
Small business owners also find it difficult to switch off, with 73 per cent agreeing that concerns around their business prevented them from relaxing during holidays.
"A small businessperson needs to understand that starting a small business is part of a life choice," said Ms Bensoussan.
"What often happens is that people who run their own business always feel a lot of pressure to do multiple things at the same time.
"I say to [them] to try to be present to what you're doing at the time. If you're picking up the kids from school, be present [in the moment]'; if you're working at a meeting with a client, be present to the client; or if you're at dinner with your family, be present in that dinner.
"I always ask: 'in 50 years, will [your business] matter? Will it matter in 100 years?' The answer is no. So be present to what you're doing, and understand that this is a life choice that you made."
Ms Bensoussan gave the example of a small business owner who is exhausted but facing an angry client, deadlines and a family in need of their attention.
"How lucky are you? You've got a family that wants you and is clamouring for you; you have customers who want your product or service; and how wonderful it is that you can learn from that problem to grow your business,” she said.
"You're a small business, you're overwhelmed with deliveries; how do I get this to the client on time?; have I done the right job?; I'm expecting this from someone and they've let me down...
“How lucky are you that you've got this happening - be grateful for the sh*t you're in! It shifts your energy from negative to more positive, and therefore releases the burden of stress."
BE GRATEFUL FOR THE SH*T YOU'RE IN! IT SHIFTS YOUR ENERGY FROM NEGATIVE TO MORE POSITIVE, AND THEREFORE RELEASES THE BURDEN OF STRESS.
BUSINESS COACH, BABETTE BENOUSSAN
Photo: Stock
Business Class is an 8-week content series providing entrepreneurs with tools and information to take their business to the next level in 2019. Head to our website for more.