How does one master the juggling act of work and play? These entrepreneurs spill the deets.
It’s time to spill the tea on a modern-day challenge we all face: juggling big dreams and avoiding the burnout pitfall. We’ve all got grand goals and ambitions, but in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to lose sight of the all-important “me-time.” That’s where these entrepreneurs step in to show us how they’ve mastered the art of balancing work and life.
Get an insight into those who’ve cracked the code on maintaining a thriving career while still making time for their passions. Are you ready to discover the secrets of work-life harmony? Let’s get started!
The art of juggling: How entrepreneurs find balance in life and work
1. Do the things you enjoy
It might not surprise you that I find balance through exercise – my daily outdoor walks, weekly weightlifting sessions and hot yoga classes help me manage work stress, keep my mind sharp, and stay healthy and well. Besides the obvious (I am a fitness coach, after all!), I am an avid reader and writer, keeping a daily journal and aiming to read at least one book “for pleasure” per month, and I spend lots of time with my young kids cycling and exploring Singapore’s great outdoors!
– Amanda Lim, 40, fitness and nutrition coach
2. Embrace Flexibility
Since launching my business in 2020, I knew family was a priority. Now, two kids later and amidst the chaos, being there for them is most important. Balancing creativity in my business while caring for my children is my sweet spot. While my business might not grow as fast as I’d like due to maternity pauses and the need for flexibility, this balance suits me perfectly. My workload adjusts, giving me the space I need when the kids are unwell. Going at full speed will happen once they’re in school. And the good thing is that work isn’t work; it’s my creative canvas, and this is making the journey fulfilling.
– Biek Speijk, 38, sustainable fashion advocate, artist and owner of Biekaleidoscope
3. Sticking to a routine helps
As an entrepreneur, I understand the importance of striking a balance between personal and professional life to stay productive and fulfilled. I use a well-structured calendar to block off time for physical activities and cherish playtime with my kids. Our family follows a cherished routine that includes dinner, bedtime reading, and prayers, which keeps us connected.
Weekends are sacred for family outings, while evenings are reserved for quality dinners with friends. One thing that is most sacred to me is our monthly date nights with my husband. Not only do we connect on everyday matters, but we also pause, reflect and use those moments to strengthen our relationship. It’s like a detox from a gruelling work week! By prioritising these moments, I maintain a work-life balance and enjoy hobbies outside of work. This approach not only enriches my personal life but also ensures I’m energised and focused in my professional endeavours. Finding this balance has been pivotal in my entrepreneurial journey.
– Kriti Gupta, 36, founder and CEO of Nimbu
4. Establish ‘non-negotiables’
As a one-woman show, I find it can be hard to stick to clear working hours. And while I still find myself working late evenings every now and then, I’ve learnt to schedule in ‘non-negotiables’. These are activities I know I need in my life for my own well-being, such as an early morning workout, yoga class, or pool time with the kids in the afternoon. No matter what, I don’t work during that time and I come back to my laptop with enthusiasm to tackle my edits and emails for the day.
– Rebecca Berger, 39, photographer and owner of Rebecca Berger Photography
5. Plan ahead
Weekly planning and scheduling is a big part of my self-care to ensure I am spending my time with intention. Typically Sunday afternoons are blocked for weekly planning as well as an audit of last week’s time to ensure I am spending my time with intention across all big compartments – family, health, work, play. In today’s always-on lifestyle, it is very easy to live in a reactive, busy mode without being intentional with our time.
I also block in a 30-minute self-care ritual in the morning which has now become a non-negotiable for me as I take stock of my big goals for the day with journaling, and prime my mind and body for the day with an energy boost of breath-work and a quick workout. A great way to relax is outdoor yoga, where I get to connect with my community while being in nature. Being in nature is a great way to shift our brain’s wavelengths into theta frequency or that of a meditative flow state.
– Bhavana Ravindran, founder, of Dína Rituals and The Mindfulness Project – In Your Nature
6. Minimising screen time
I realised during Covid-19 that I spent most of my time looking at big and small screens and I wanted to change that. I went back to my childhood hobby of horseriding – starting with lessons first and then I bought a rescue horse in 2022. Since then, I have started every day by getting up at 6.30am, cycling 3km, and spending two hours with my horse Rosa and one hour with my horse friends over coffee. I find that starting my day with animals grounds me and gives me the creative energy I need! If I have an “easy” day at work, then I’ll stop working at 6pm and go out for a meal. Otherwise, if it’s one of those long days I’m motivated to finish everything on time so I can get enough sleep to make it to my 7am appointment the next day.
– Giulia Cian Seren, 32, founder of Girls Who Web
7. Set boundaries
As an entrepreneur building my small business, I find myself shouldering a multitude of responsibilities. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is necessary to recharge and refocus. A to-do list aids me in task organisation and focus. I set boundaries and time to meditate daily. A dedicated day off and spending time with my family is essential. My hobbies are doodling, being with my furkid, and cooking.
– Eileen Tan, 34, founder and educator at Spacing
8. Try different things before finding the one
Creating balance and radical honesty is absolutely essential for me as a psychologist. There are two things that help me create balance – cycling and waking up before everyone else. I tested millions of ideas and connecting with what my body needs and feels, has always guided me toward wellbeing. I carve out time for movement, TRE (tension and trauma-releasing exercises) and sitting with my feelings. This allows me to recharge and stay focused. A key element to make it sustainable is to train my focus and attention efficiently to excel in both personal and professional spheres.
– Beata Justkowiak, 37, psychologist and emotion queen at Energising Goals
9. Cherish hobbies outside of work
I’m fortunate to pursue my passion in perfumery. Hence, balancing work and life isn’t a struggle and work challenges become my opportunity for growth. Whether I’m out with friends or in a mall, I relish sniffing out the latest perfume launches.
Beyond the world of perfumery, my heart finds solace in baking. It’s my cherished hobby, one that inspires my perfume creations. I explore flavours and draw inspiration from the culinary world. “Clouds In Heaven,” Scent Journer’s signature fragrance, is a tribute to the heavenly pandan chiffon cake – a reflection of the beautiful blend of my personal and professional passions.
– Joyce Lian, 27, founder and creative director at Scent Journer
10. Take an extended vacay whenever you can afford it
Since leaving corporate life and starting my business two years ago, I’ve been mindful of how I set my schedule. It’s one of the biggest perks of entrepreneurship! For me, achieving a balance between work and play means I keep Fridays free for self-care. I plan my year so that I don’t work during school holidays. This means I can focus on being present with my children. Summers are sacred to me, they always have been, and I love that I can take eight weeks off with my family and travel home to Sweden for an extended break. It fills my cup for the rest of the year.
– Helena Gilmour, 41, director and designer at Studs+Stones
11. Have a daily brain detox
I think it’s important to do something each day where your brain is required to focus on something entirely unrelated to work. It’s a personal thing but for me, that’s exercise: a game of tennis, a pilates class or a weights session. The more strenuous, the better, in my opinion – it’s harder for your mind to wander to work worries!
Equally, I really appreciate a hybrid activity. Going to a networking event or exchanging ideas over coffee with a fellow entrepreneur; you’re not “working” but you’re doing something that might be beneficial to you in your entrepreneurial journey. That’s why all the Launchpad events are so wonderful!
– Lucy d’Ambrumenil, 37, managing director at Phoenix Wills
12. Find balance from within
For me, the balance needs to be internal first. A balance between the mind, heart and body where we feel aligned with what we do. For this, I personally start my day with movement and time in nature. This allows me to reflect, and take some time to breathe before starting my day. Having a routine and boundaries is essential to stay balanced. Whatever routine works for you, as long as it aligns with you and brings you joy. Some days, the energy is just not there. In that case, I listen to my body and take it slowly. Again, it’s about being in tune with your body, mind and heart.
– Alya Annabi, 29, sustainability consultant and positive mentor at Green Push
13. Harmonise life, celebrate roles and find peace
Work-life balance suggests that one’s life is a neatly divisible pie, which can be easily split into various parts to fit the roles one plays. Life, however, isn’t like that. It’s in constant flux, forever changing and moving forward. When you strive to strike a balance between the various roles, there is a constant tug of war for attention and priority. Focus on harmonising your life by giving every aspect of it the respect it deserves. Celebrate the overlap of the various roles in your life rather than trying to force them apart, and lead a happier, more peaceful existence.
– Ruchi Parekh, 42, executive career and life Coach at Coaching Connect
14. Unplug with meditation
As an online entrepreneur, I find myself surrounded by all types of technology and devices, some days spending nine hours (or more) in front of a screen. I need to find a powerful way to disconnect from all this. Sometimes I go for a run, and some evenings I go “ancestral”. I’ve found that lighting a candle (fire) in a silent and half-dark room, meditating with my legs crossed, barefoot and with my hair loose, kind of connects me with some primitive ancestral behaviours. This meditation time allows me to be aware of my brain, heart and soul needs.
– Gloria Perez, 42, Spanish language teacher at Your Spanish Hub
Got your own work-life balance tips as an entrepreneur to share? Want authentic connections with fellow business owners? Check out Launchpad, a networking platform that offers support and community for entrepreneurs.
