A couple of years back, an article written by Anne-Marie Slaughter called “Why Women Still Can’t Have it All” caused a furor. Slaughter, who held a high-profile position in the American government spoke about how it was close to impossible for her to balance her responsibilities as a parent and a professional, and continue to meet the expectations of each of these roles. While there were (and still are) many debates based on her view, for many working women across the world, work-family conflict is a reality they struggle with every day.
Work-Life Balance is the idea that a person's personal life outside of work is as important as their working life. It points to a balance between the hours they spend working and doing other things like spending time with friends and family, keeping fit, doing hobbies, traveling, etc. But many working mothers have these questions: there are only so many hours in the day, after all, so how can they give their careers the dedication it deserves, and still spend quality time with their kids? How do they juggle both work and home? How do they make it work?
If you’re a working woman with an entrepreneurial spirit, the answers to all these questions are simple enough. You can choose to break free of the traditional workplace and become an entrepreneur. Can entrepreneurship really help women achieve that almost elusive work-life balance? Let’s explore this in more detail.
How Women Can Help Themselves
Not everyone works for Colgate-Palmolive or Google, organizations that are considered the best companies for work-life balance. The truth is that many working women do not receive the formal support that is required from their employers to have that balance between work and their lives outside of work. For many women working within the confines of the traditional workplace, choosing to work also means sacrificing certain things, such as opportunities, time spent elsewhere, hobbies, social engagements, and sleep. But sacrifice is not easy, and sometimes women want both – a rich personal life, and a fulfilling career.
Success and advancement could mean different things to different women. In a study done by the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and TD Bank Group entitled “10 Lessons: Women @ Work Managing Career, Family & Legacy”, some women said that they equated it with achieving traditional career goals, such as executive appointments, while for others, it meant having the flexibility to spend time with family, or being able to start a business on their own. If you belong to the latter category, read on.
Let’s talk about starting your own business, and what it entails. Being a business owner is by no means easy. But the biggest advantage of being on your own is that you have flexibility. Yes, you will also be called to juggle roles, tasks, and priorities – but you can choose to prioritize according to your convenience Vis a Vis in the traditional workplace. So, if you want to attend your child’s concert in the middle of the day, you can schedule your meeting earlier or later. If you want to take the weekend off with your friends, sure you can carry your laptop and sneak in an hour or two of work while you’re away. Who says you have to sit in the office to get work done? Not an entrepreneur for sure! At the end of it all, everyone is looking for fulfillment. No matter the situation, whether you’re single, married, have kids, don’t like your job or love your job,that is the goal.
Work-Life Balance from an Entrepreneur's View
Work-life balance looked at from an entrepreneur’s point of view, can be defined as this ability to work hard and be passionate about your work, but also have time for yourself in your personal life. There are certain situations where you will have to decide if your work or your family comes first. In these situations, it is important to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect life. But the situation is in your control and you have to be happy with the choices you make. With today’s technology, smartphones, social media, etc. you can have a great work-life balance, should you wish to do so.
Exploring New Options: Achieving Work-Life Balance by Running Your Own Digital Marketing Franchise
As a digital marketing franchise owner, you'll have complete control over your days, and you'll be able to determine your priorities based on your own wants and needs, rather than on the time constraints placed on you by others. As your own boss, you can work 24 hours a day, two hours a day, or anything in between.
You can adjust your work schedule to accommodate dance recitals, soccer games, appointments, and other responsibilities as needed, and there won’t be anybody around to hassle you about it. When you're your own boss, work-life balance is the name of the game.
For 20 years, WSI has been empowering women in franchising to become entrepreneurs and take control of their time and their schedules. The low start-up and operating costs make a digital marketing franchise a reality for many women entrepreneurs, and the mentor-style program makes WSI an appealing partner for people who are concerned about getting the right help and support.
You are a born leader, you have the skills and drive to be a successful professional, and you deserve the chance at a real opportunity to grow. As a professional and a family woman, you have goals for both your career and your home, and being a digital marketing entrepreneur can give you the freedom and flexibility you need to work toward all your dreams.
Click below to download the WSI's "Entrepreneur's Guide to Success" so you can start preaparing for an exciting entrepreneurial journey tomorrow.
