Finding Balance as a Mom, Wife, and Business Owner

Written by Jessica Jaeckel, Executive Director of Operations at Perform24

Have you ever wondered how some women seem to manage it all – family, business, and self-care? Here’s the truth: they don’t. We all struggle with juggling the endless responsibilities of life. As a mom, wife, and business owner, I often feel like excelling in one area means another is falling apart. In this article, I want to share some strategies that have helped me find a semblance of balance and prioritize my health and wellness without feeling guilty.

Balancing the Roles: A Personal Journey

Life as a mom can be a whirlwind. We’re raising future adults who will make their own decisions, and ensuring they become healthy, functional members of society is a lot of pressure.  Add being a wife and a business owner, and my anxiety levels rise just thinking about it. Personally, I’ve always been a morning person – the kind who’s annoyingly chipper when my feet hit the ground. Once I got married and had kids, mornings became my (solo) time, crucial for setting the tone of my day. I start with coffee (or two), review my calendar, set a plan, and then dive into my training routine. This helps me start my day on the right foot.

Managing a household with kids who have their own schedules is a herculean task.My husband and I do our best to work as a team, sharing responsibilities where we can. Owning a business that requires one of us to be there most of the day means one of us often shoulders the majority of parenting duties. This isn’t without its challenges. The parent at home can feel overwhelmed, while the one at work feels guilty for not being present. We don’t have it all figured out, but we communicate and divide tasks to support each other. At the end of every week, we map out the upcoming week, review our calendars, and create a plan that allows both of us to handle our responsibilities.

Running Perform24 and any business requires a lot of attention, but effective delegation is crucial. We’ve built a team we trust and have empowered them to make decisions in the best interest of Perform24. This allows us to focus on other areas without worrying about the business and fosters a sense of ownership and accountability among our team.

Prioritizing Self-Care

Self-care is often the first thing neglected when juggling multiple roles. However, I’ve realized that taking care of myself is not selfish but necessary. If my glass is empty, I have nothing left to pour into others. Whether it’s a training session, grabbing coffee solo, or binge-watching a reality show, I carve out time for things that help me recharge.

One way I integrate self-care into my schedule is by blending it with family time (with the exception of binge watching reality TV). We often work out together as a family, which keeps us active and provides cute moments, like watching toddlers do kettlebell swings. Finding activities everyone enjoys makes it easier to incorporate exercise and self-care into daily life.

Tips for Other Moms

1. Set Clear Priorities: Determine what’s most important and allocate time accordingly. For me, family comes first, followed by our business and my health. Using a shared family calendar helps track everything and ensures I don’t miss important moments.
2. Create a Flexible Routine: Life with kids is unpredictable. A flexible routine allows you to adapt without feeling overwhelmed. I plan my days but leave room for adjustments, which helps me stay productive and reduces stress.
3. Delegate and Share Responsibilities: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks at home and work to lighten your load and build a supportive, efficient team.
4. Incorporate Exercise into Daily Life: Even a short training session is better than none. Family activities like walks or bike rides keep us active together.
5.  Use Technology to Stay Organized: Apps and tools are lifesavers. I use scheduling apps to track appointments, tasks, and deadlines, helping me manage my time effectively.
6. Communicate Openly: Keep open lines of communication with your family and team. Discuss your needs and listen to theirs. Regular check-ins help everyone stay on the same page and work together harmoniously.

Balancing the roles of a mom, wife, and business owner is challenging but incredibly rewarding. It requires setting clear priorities, creating a flexible routine, delegating tasks, and making time for self-care. It’s not about doing everything perfectly but about finding what works best for you and your family. I hope my journey can offer some help or inspiration for managing your own busy life. If you enjoyed this article, please share your thoughts in the comments and spread the word to others who might find it helpful. You can learn more about myself and our business at www.perform24tampa.com. Thank you for reading!