Starting a Business while Raising a Family

*NOTE: This is for you if you are looking for balance... even if your don't have a family or not starting a business.

Being a business owner… even starting a side hustle is exciting. You get to make the rules… Make your own schedule… Have more time for your family and friends - only all that “freedom” gets sucked into the business and leaves you feeling beat up, stressed out, and overwhelmed.

You started this business to have more time with your family but instead you find yourself screaming at the kids because you “gotta get this work done” - and all the expectations of more family time brings on severe mom guilt.

I’ve been there. When I began my journey as an entrepreneur, I was a single mother with a day job and an impossibly overloaded schedule. Trust me… I get it!

So PLEASE don’t throw in the towel just yet…

I want to share with you the practical tips I’ve learned over the last 7 years that helped me go from a hot mess to established photography business and a working routine with my family. I call it the Work Life Balance Guide!

Completing the phases and exercises laid out in our guide will require some focused effort, but YOU GOT THIS BABE. So carve out some time and let’s get this done.

The #1 thing I learned is you need to pause and reflect on what matters most to you in your entrepreneurial journey before you hit the ground running. Rather than putting out fires as they arise.

So let’s get started…

Note: The only way to fail at this Work Life Balance Guide is to never try it out at all. As long as you’re ready and willing to play along, you’ll be in a better place by the end of Phase 5 than you were before.

Before you take the plunge, be sure to download our Work Life Balance Workbook here.

Phase 1: Dreaming Intentionally

In order to find a work life balance that fits your unique situation, it’s crucial to be clear with yourself about what you actually want. Once I made the decision to follow my dreams, I began to notice a pattern in my conversations with people who were still stuck in dissatisfaction. They often knew what they didn’t like, but rarely knew what it was that they wanted instead.

It’s time to take a different approach.

Rather than focusing on the aspects of your life that you don’t want to replicate, try focusing on the environment that you want to create for yourself and your family. When completing this step of the process, it’s important to keep your mind open. This is not the time to dwell on your limitations, lack of resources, or doubts. Just for a moment, suspend your practical thinking and assume that anything is possible. What would bring you the most joy? What would make you excited to wake up in the morning? What would fulfill you? Until you’re honest about your dreams, you won’t be able to begin the more practical work of making them come true.

The steps in this phase includes mind mapping, visualizing, and creating your first long-term goal.

STEP 1: MIND MAPPING

I’ve come up with a few exercises that will guide you into recognizing your deepest desires. The first is creating a mind map.

Much like the webs you created in high school English class, mind maps apply a logical flow to theoretical concepts so that your brain can digest them more easily.

The central point will be your number one priority. Your Ideal Life! . Next, you’ll send out branches that represent each area of your life, such as your marriage, children, finances, and career. Now ask yourself what it is you really want. Remember, this is not a time to think about your limits.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’re able to fill this map out. Most of us know what we want, but feel ill-equipped to make it happen. This exercise will instill a feeling of hope and excitement in you that motivates you to make your plans a reality.

ACTION TIME:

Take out a blank piece of paper or your WLB Workbook and create a mind map.

STEP 2: Visualization

Now, you’re in the groove. Your creative juices are flowing, and you’re allowing your mind to conceptualize what the dream life looks like for you and your family. Maybe it’s a swimming pool in the backyard, a flexible weekday schedule, or a yearly family vacation.

Chances are, you’ve spent a bit of time wishing your life looked different. Perhaps you’ve even chosen a person or business that you’d like to emulate.

ACTION TIME:

Jot down the dreams and goals you want to accomplish for BOTH your home life and career over the next 5 years. Write it as if it already happened!

It’s 2025 and I....

**If you want to go more in depth here, download the WLBWorkbook.

STEP 3: FOCUS12

Now that you’ve gotten real with yourself about what you’re working towards, it’s time to set your focus. I call this the FOCUS12 because we will narrow down to the ONE big goal that we will work towards for the next 12 months.

PAUSE!!!

I know you feel tempted to write 3, 4, or even 5 goals… DON’T DO IT!

You have limited time and limited resources… so trying to split your focus is going to cause stress and overwhelm, AND you won’t see results.

I know it may feel counter-intuitive but trust me…You are better off giving 100% to one goal than 20-33% to multiple goals.

This exercise is meant to help you take the first step to making your 5 year vision a reality. Remember, you don’t have to have every single tool in your belt right now. In order to grow, you’ll have to get out of your comfort zone.

ACTION TIME:

Answer this question…

What is the ONE thing I need to accomplish in 12 months to bring me closer to my 5 year vision.

Don’t be afraid to apply a bit of pressure here. Do you want to lose a certain number of pounds? Save a certain amount of money? Gain a new certification? Write it down.

Example: I will start a photography business that replaces my part time income.

That’s it for this phase. You should now be clear on your vision for your ideal life and have one actionable FOCUS12 goal to propel you toward that vision.

Phase 2: Planning Realistically

This step will require you to dig deep, and it may feel a bit uncomfortable. You’ll need to come to terms with the habits and mindsets in your life that are holding you back from success. It’s important to complete these exercises in a space that feels safe to you.

Try not to bring any judgement to the table as you work through your thoughts, as it will only serve to keep you stagnant. You’ll need a pen, some paper or your WLB Workbook, and a spirit of hope. It’s time to clear your mental space of the old things and replace them with something new.

As entrepreneurs and family-centered individuals, we must be willing to take responsibility for both the positive and negative circumstances of our lives in order to make lasting change.

The steps in this phase includes reviewing, planning and scheduling.

STEP 1: Review90

First let’s look back at the last 90 days. It is time to reflect on our biggest accomplishments and take stock of any regrets we may have. Remember to have grace with yourself. This is not a bashing session… Balance can only be accomplished through mental, physical, and emotional health. So take a step back from your life and become a spectator. Have empathy for yourself, but acknowledge the things you wouldn’t want to see repeated.

Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

- Henry Ford

Now, as you know, it only takes a moment for everything in our worlds to shift. So let’s ruminate on the present. Don’t leave anything out; we’re talking health, relationships, business, and personal development. What areas are you confident in and which one do you need a little work?.

Ok… You guessed it! It’s time to take a trip to the future. Envision yourself 90 days from this moment. Would things on the horizon that are exciting and what things are kinda giving you some anxiety? Again, have grace with yourself AND be transparent. There is a power you receive when you acknowledge the things that make you feel uneasy. So be open here.

ACTION TIME:

If you haven’t already… complete the REVIEW90 and remember to be transparent and have grace with yourself.

Phew! I'm proud of you! You’ve done the hard work of being transparent.

You’ve given yourself grace and stayed grounded in discipline.

STEP 2: Setting your 90 day S.M.A.R.T. Goal

Remember your FOCUS12?

It’s time to zoom your focus into the first 90 days. By the end of this exercise, you will have created a to-do list for yourself that doesn’t feel too daunting to tackle.

FIRST - Start With the Goal

Create one S.M.A.R.T goal for the next 90 days. A S.M.A.R.T goal is one that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time based; we already took care of the T for you by relegating your plans to the next 90 days. This can be in your career or family life.

Example:

I want to have a published portfolio on my site that showcases my best work by 8/8/2020

NEXT- Break It Down

Now that you have a goal that will push your vision forward, break it down into 3 action steps or projects that will propel you toward reaching that target.

Example list:

P1: I will schedule at least three shoots each month.

P2: I will learn more about skillful photo editing and apply my knowledge to my own photos.

P3: I will have my business featured on at least one like minded website with larger following than my own.

THEN - Get Clarity

It’s time to get clear one what success means for each of these projects. And you should do this BEFORE you start working towards the goal, when you are not in a judgemental or emotional space. So, consider the best and worst case scenarios that could result from each of your three projects.

Example:

P1: Best case scenario, my shoots result in gorgeous photos and I use my best shots to form an online portfolio. Worst case scenario, all my clients cancel at the last minute and I use family and friends as models for creating content.

LAST - Plan to Party

Here’s the fun part. Let’s say you reach that 90 day goal. How will you reward yourself? How will you rest up before tackling your next mission? It’s time to create your celebration plan.

Example:

If I build a high quality portfolio by 8/8/2020, I’ll treat myself to a 5 course meal at a fancy restaurant.

ACTION TIME:

Complete your S.M.A.R.T. goal with 3 projects to help you achieve it an

Step 3: Planning your schedule

This is possibly the most important part of finding balance.

None of this is possible without a daily schedule. Even if you were single and untethered to any outside responsibilities, building a business would be tough.

As the leader of a household, setting boundaries between your work and family is non-negotiable. You’ve already made commitments to your spouse, your children, and your day job, as well as to any clients that come your way. The only way to honor all these commitments is to plan your days and week.

Note: If you are looking for a great resource I recommend downloading the WLB Workbook to work through this scheduling phase, then transferring your final schedule to the BestSelf planner. This planner is a GAME CHANGER and it pairs perfectly with all the work you are doing today.

FIRST - Brain dump!

Write down everything that you know you have to do each day. Take everything from your daughter’s violin practice to your nightly skincare routine and lay them out on paper. It doesn’t matter how you organize the information, just put it in writing so that you can get a feel for what happens when, and how often.

Do not forget to incorporate your daily wellness routines. Remember, a healthy person is a healthy business-owner. Make time for exercise, relationship-building, and enjoyment in your life.

Writing these things down shouldn’t make you feel restricted or bound to a set of rules; it should make you feel freed from uncertainty and chaos.

THEN - Prioritize.

Listen, mama. There is no such thing as doing it all. You will miss, forget, or skip out on certain things. You’re human. So instead of working yourself into the ground to check everything off every day, number each task according to its priority level. I like to consider two qualifiers when it comes to prioritizing: the importance of the thing, and the time sensitivity of the thing.

For example, driving my child to school is top priority, because it is both important to me and very time sensitive. Something like dinner at home would take second priority level, because it is important to me but can easily be moved around to a different hour of the evening each day. Business training and miscellaneous appointments rank third, since they are quite time sensitive but not crucially important. Social media networking or leisurely reading take fourth position most days, as they are neither time sensitive nor vital to the progression of my day.

Please remember as you’re completing this exercise that you know what is best for yourself and your family. If having dinner at the dining table with your family at 6 o’clock sharp is both time sensitive and important to you, don’t hesitate to mark it as a top priority item.

NEXT - Organize.

Now begin arranging your daily and weekly tasks into their appropriate order… I recommend using a time block scheduler (there’s one in the WLB Workbook). Because of all your work on the first two steps, your schedule should fall into place easily. To prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed, start with those tasks that were labeled top priority.

Then move on through your priority list as you place each item in its appropriate time block.

At this stage, you may benefit from activity bundling.

What does that mean?

Activity bundling is grouping things together that you do around the same time. For example, you may shower, brush your teeth, and get dressed together… So you can call that Getting Ready and give yourself a 30min time block for it.

Not enough time?

You may want to do Activity Pairing.

Unlike bundling… this is where you group important things that don’t completely relate. For example, the dinner time block on my schedule triples as family time and light exercise. Each day, I cook alongside my loved ones, eat with them, and then we go for a short walk. So I am able to get dinner on the table and clean up faster AND spend quality time with my family… while getting active.

Once you’ve listed your first, second, and third priority tasks, the blank spaces between are your leisure time. If a friend calls and invites you to a movie, you know exactly when you can or can’t make it… and not have to bail at the last minute because you overbooked.

FINALLY - Test.

Follow this schedule as closely as possible for one week, then return to it to make adjustments according to your findings. This system is always available for you to return to and adjust. And, for your own sanity, remember to hold this all very loosely. As you know, life isn’t very predictable. This should not add stress to your life—it’s meant to relieve you.

WAIT! Wouldn’t it be wise to share this with my family?

Yes, shared schedules are a fantastic communication tool. For now, though, hang onto your beautiful document and keep reading. This is a time for you to work through some things independently. Soon, you will incorporate all these practices into your family life.

ACTION TIME:

It’s time to plan your schedule, try it out and revise it. This is about YOUR life. It needs to fit your needs. So make adjustments where it fits for you.

ALRIGHT NOW! That’s another phase down… You are on a roll.

You have gotten clear on your ideal life vision, created a FOCUS12, you know the steps you will take over the next 90 days to get you closer to it and create a schedule to find the time to complete each project and still have family time.

Now let's tackle the most daunting part… The MONEY!

Phase 3: Budgeting Consciously

Many creatives can get hung up on this step… And for good reason… Budgeting is not fun!

But it is VITAL!

Taking the time and energy to hash all this out before taking the plunge into building a business will not only make you feel more in control in the long run… It will fight off one of the most heartbreaking business pitfalls… lack of support.

The quickest way to lose the support of your loved ones on this journey is to avoid creating a spending plan… Purchasing courses, memberships, and other resources without really considering whether the return on your investment would justify the expense.

Here’s the good news: once you’ve created this system for yourself, it’ll stand on its own for the most part.

There is only one step in this phase.

STEP 1: Sign up for these 2 services.

Mint.com

This will serve as your financial dashboard.

The service is safe and gives a picture your entire financial standing and it is super user friendly. It shows your transactions, your spending trends, and you can create your budgets and saving goals.

I recommend signing up online. Then linking all of your accounts, like checking/savings (personal and business), retirement, credit cards, etc… And don’t forget your spouses accounts too.

Creating your budget is the most important part of setting up Mint. I have the same rule for both money and time: make room to enjoy. Give yourself an allowance each month that has no specified purpose and is available for spending. You should be budgeting your household bills and business expenses… But also restaurants and shopping.

Quickbooks Self-Employed

This software will guide you through detailed expense tracking, and it will also make tax season less scary when the time comes. Quickbooks’ self-employed platform shows you exactly where your business budget is going by tracking each expenditure down to the last penny, as well as categorizing each expense to build an insightful profile of your spending habits. It will also track mileage for business related travel and create professional invoices on your behalf. Lastly, Quickbooks offers the option to attach receipts to your incoming and outgoing transactions so that you document every financial interaction in your professional life.

Quickbooks Self-Employed software is a must have, whether you’re working with a hired CPA or handling your finances solo. You’ll never have to feel anxious about money again once you’re regularly updating the information on this platform, and the time you spend managing your budget will decrease significantly.

ACTION TIME:

Sign up for Mint and Quickbook Self Employed online and download the apps for your phone.

Oh… Did I mention that Mint is free and Self Employed starts at only $1!

Note: Even if you aren’t running a business… Self employed is great for tax purposes and easy to share with your CPA.

Phase 3…. ??

Now we…

• Know our vision.
• Have a plan to get there.
• Have a schedule that fits our family’s needs
• And a spending plan to fund the business

You’re on a roll… You’ve done all the legwork...

Now it’s time to include those you love most in the decision-making process

Phase 4: Communicating Lovingly

You may question the placement of this step in my guide, but hear me out.

As a Type A personality, I like to enter sensitive conversations with a full understanding of my own perspective, intentions, and priorities. I also receive information best when I’m approached with a solid plan.

When it comes to something as life-changing as starting your own company, you should both honor yourself and your passions by thinking through your desires in a nonjudgmental and private space and do your family justice by considering the effect your new direction will have on their lives and their relationships with you.

NOTE: keep a loose grip on the goals, plans, and possibilities of your blooming business. Be flexible. As exciting as it can feel to watch your dreams materialize in front of you, you have to honor your family’s feelings. Remember, success means much less when you’re celebrating alone. You guys are a team!

Before your start… Remember to stay open minded, be optimistic and positive, and -most importantly- give your family the benefit of the doubt that they will be supportive.

The 3 steps in this phase will get you on the same page with your family.

STEP 1: Say your piece.

Schedule a discussion and be sure to establish open lines of communication and healthy boundaries.

Explain to them how you believe your new path will bring you a sense of purpose and joy, which will naturally have a positive trickle-down effect on the way you show up at home. Be very clear about your determination to commit to the time you spend with them as enthusiastically as you commit to the time you spend developing your business.

Tell them your vision and the plans you have for them and your business. Tell them how important their support is to you and HOW they can support you best.

Example (after sharing vision): To get use closer to this vision, over the next 12 months I will start a photography business that replaces my part time income. The first step in to reach this goal is to build my portfolio, so over the next 3 months I have 3 shoots a month, be working on my editing skills, and networking with other businesses to get featured. I plan to schedule my shoots on Thursday evenings. My work hours will be Monday through Thursday 6p-9p, so I won’t be available during those times but every Friday evening we will have game night.

The goal of this meeting is to share your plans with your family and get clear on when you won’t be available but most importantly… It will establish when they can count on you to be 100% present.

STEP 2: Listen.

Now it’s time to hand over the mic.

Try your best not to interrupt if you can help it. Respect each speaker as they share by looking at them and being an active listener. Keep a notepad nearby to jot down any questions or thoughts you have about what they’re saying, as you will have a chance to address them at the end of the discussion.

STEP 3: Agree.

This is when you hash out any concerns and negotiate. If your family members have requested that you revise your plan, schedule, or budget in any way, address their requests by either agreeing to make the change or initiating a negotiation to reach compromise.

ACTION TIME:

Schedule a meeting with your family and remember to keep an open mind.

Phew! As tough as this may have been, I assure you that it will be worth it in the long run.

Rather than being confused or unaware of the inevitable changes that will come into their lives due to your business, your spouse, children, and other family members will feel empowered to support you on your new journey.

So we are four down...

One to go! We are almost done!

You have got clarity on your dreams, created a plan to start walking towards it, get your budget in order and gotten your family on board.

Our last step is to set your environment up for success.

Phase 5: Nesting Productively

Note: If you have a career job… you can still use these tips.

Starting your own company is already a challenge; you shouldn’t have to face logistical hurdles on top of everything else if you can help it. Your home and workspace should exude feelings of peace, comfort, support, and inspiration. I’ve created a few guidelines to help you get there.

Before we begin, I’ll share my one and only rule for cultivating a truly productive home office: stay away from beds and couches!

Whether you’re aware of it or not, your body and brain will struggle to think productive thoughts when there’s a cozy napping place nearby. It’s best to separate your professional dreams from your snoozing dreams as much as possible.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, let’s get to work.

This final phase will help you pick the perfect location for your new working space.

STEP 1: Choose a spot.

When you’re doing a home walk-through to decide on your designated work zone, I highly encourage you to steer clear of lounging areas for two reasons. First, these spaces should be sacred to you and your family. Your bedroom should be a safe haven for bonding with yourself if you’re single or with your partner if you’re not, and your living room should function as a space of togetherness and family time. Introducing work items and devices to these areas will blur the boundaries for you and your loved ones, which can easily increase stress and conflict. Second, you are much less likely to maintain a high level of productivity if you’re reclined under a blanket with the remote at arm’s reach. Set yourself up for success by distancing yourself from distractions.

If you’re unable to follow these recommendations due to space shortage, consider purchasing a room divider so that there is at least some visual obstruction between your workspace and your lounge space. Trust me, it’ll help.

With that said, as long as your chosen space checks off these three items, it should work for you.

1. It’s a low-traffic area. It can be very difficult for family members, especially children, to understand the boundary between work and home if they are able to see or interact with you while you’re in your zone. Try finding a space that’s distant from the kitchen, living room, and play areas. This way, when you’re physically present in a room, your family will know that you are open and available for interaction.
2. It has some natural light. Windows will do wonders for your mental clarity during work time. If possible, set up your site near one. If not, try purchasing warm lighting to set up in your area.
3. It’s quiet. Even if your family isn’t running through at all hours, an office by the laundry room, for example, may not be conducive to taking phone calls or maintaining concentration. If you’re able, try avoiding noise pollution in your workspace.

STEP 2: Get organized.

This step takes the least time to explain and the longest to implement. For a truly ergonomic workflow, you’ll need to know where everything is. That means finding a shelf for your books, a filing system for your important documents, and an easily accessible spot for your pens, glasses, charging cables, and pick-me-up snacks. Here are a few tips for starting off.

1. Filing important documents. In this day and age, most of our documents are digital. But keeping hard copies of important documents is great business practice.
2. Gathering resource texts. Keeping all your reading books, notebooks, and other text in an easy-to-reach place that needs your desk will make it easier to stay organized and follow when needed.
3. Stocking up on office materials. Efficiency is everything… especially when you are trying to balance everything. Having office supplies at arm reach just makes taking quick notes a breeze instead of screaming for the kids to find you a pen.

Organization will depend heavily on the space you’ve chosen and your personal preference for cleanliness. For more ideas, read Marie Kondo.

STEP 3: Decorate!

This is your time to shine. Whatever your aesthetic leanings, you deserve a space that quiets the mind and inspires creativity. Purchase some house plants, paint the wall behind your desk, and bring in some sentimental photographs to remind you who you’re doing this all for. The possibilities are endless. As long as your space feels like yours, you can’t go wrong.

Bonus: Your family is liable to get in the home improvement mood right along with you once they see you rolling out fun wallpaper and hanging groovy art. Lean into it! Take ideas from everyone in the house. Even if it isn’t financially feasible to do a full revamp all at once, you can brainstorm alongside your spouse and children and begin to make slow, budget-friendly substitutions and additions to everyone’s personal space. Your home should feel like a union of each resident’s personality. Have fun with it.

ACTION TIME:

Find the space in your home to create your new home workspace and make sure it inspires you.

Wow! You made it!

Congratulations! By pushing yourself to dream more intentionally, you have created an ecosystem in your life that will expand and solidify your entrepreneurial goals while nourishing your family life at home. That is no small feat.

My hope for this guide is that it stays fresh and helpful resource to turn to when you find yourself confused, lost, or in need of a new direction.

As you forge your own path to financial freedom, you may find new passions, new career goals, or an entirely different 5 year vision. If that happens, just come right back here to work through your thoughts, feelings, and purpose all over again.

Wow! This was really helpful. How can I get more content like this?

I’m glad you asked! If you’re interested in learning more, here’s what you can do:

• Subscribe to our newsletter. You’ll receive weekly updates, quick snippets of our latest blogs, and invitations to join in on webinars.
• Consider becoming a Lyn Parker site member. Each month, we’ll be offering resources similar to the Work Life Balance Guide. From business coaching plans to live MasterClass style webinars, I’m committed to providing a springboard for you and your fellow entrepreneurs to soar into success. Join the waitlist now!
• Join your fellow Business Builders in our upcoming 5-day Accountability Challenge. We will convene each morning to discuss the day’s mindset mantra, then tackle each day with focus and clarity to propel our projects forward together. This will be a great opportunity to network and find like minded individuals that I hope you’ll stay in touch with after the challenge is over. Join the waitlist now!

Nothing brings me more joy than to empower other business owners by sharing my experience and knowledge. If I’ve positively impacted you on this journey, please reach out! I’d love to learn more about you.

Time to tackle your first 90 Day S.M.A.R.T Goal!

Now go be GREAT!

XoXo - Lyn Parker

This post first appeared on the Lyn Parker blog at https://www.lyn-parker.com/post/work-life-balance-guide