Work-Life Balance

The busy season for our industry is finally here! I hope that everyone has a steady workflow. If you don’t, now is a good time to evaluate why not.

As we embark on this busy season, I ask that you reflect and ask yourself one question... “Why am I in business?” Didn’t we all get into this to be our own boss and have the freedom of time, or the opportunity to make as much money as we want?

For me, getting into the landscape industry was a simple choice because I had been exposed to it my entire life. When I started my business, I thought, “This will be easy; I know how to do the work.” What I quickly learned was that knowing how to do the work and knowing how to run a business are two completely different things.

As owners, we tend to put in a lot of hours in the beginning because we’re doing everything ourselves. We can be so focused on the business that we may not even notice how it’s interfering with our personal life. As the business grows, we need employees to help with some of the duties and responsibilities. It is a MUST to delegate duties to employees for us to grow the business and have a healthy work-life balance.

We should also promote a healthy work-life balance for our employees. Maybe they want to grow within the company. As an employee works to climb the ladder to a higher role, they need to delegate some of their duties to newer employees. Support their efforts to reach a comfortable work-life balance in their own lives.

Work-life balance is a concept that describes the ideal of splitting one’s time and energy between work and other important aspects of life. Delegation is key to preventing burnout and supporting a work-life balance, both for the owner and employees. Burn out oftentimes results in a high turnover rate in companies and sometimes leads the business owner to quit. You don’t want that!

Remember why you started the business in the first place; to be your own boss and have the opportunity to control how your time is spent. Don’t waste this opportunity. Prevent burn out and prioritize a proper work-life balance for you and your employees.

For this month’s book, though I am still reading it myself, I encourage you to read, Traction, Get a Grip on Your Business, by Gino Wickman. ~Sincerely, Sal, 2021 CLCA OC Chapter President