Work-life balance has come up in the news, in a rather unexpected way. In a ruling dismissing an employee pregnancy discrimination case against Bloomberg LP, Judge Loretta A. Preska of the U.S. District Court in Manhattan declared that employers are not required by the law to make sure there is a work-life balance.
In the journalism industry, Bloomberg is known for its above-average pay but tough working conditions, including long days.
This much I agree with the judge about: the employer is not mandated to provide tools for their workers to have such a balance.
But to ensure employee productivity, I believe they should do so. Furthermore, being a small business owner is an area where people need to make sure they have the proper work-life balance.
Hiscox, a company which offers insurance products for firms of 10 people or less, recently did a study that found 10% of micro small business owners feel they don't achieve a good work-life balance.
Kevin Kerridge, small business expert for Hiscox, said of these entrepreneurs, “Starting a small business requires a high level of commitment, and there are few times when they're not focused on their business and looking for opportunities to drive it forward.”
The No. 1 motivation for driving their business forward, according to the survey of 304 small business owners and decision makers is providing financial stability for themselves and their family, cited by 37%.
Personal ambition/recognition was next at 24% followed by belief in their product or service, cited by 22%. Only 14% said it was their desire for wealth.
But owning a small business gives them an avenue to achieve that work-life balance. Just over half of the respondents said the ability for flexible working hours was their main way of achieving a healthy work-life balance. About two in 10 said they achieve this balance by scheduling time with family and friends while 11% said they leave work at the office.
Just 5% said they do not work on weekends, while 3% said they keep their mobile communications device away from their bedroom and dinner table.
“The wide range of communications channels available today means that small business owners can always be connected, and the research shows that this is how they're operating,” said Kerridge. “Our clients live and breathe their businesses, wherever they are and whoever they're communicating with.”
Part of having a work-life balance is doing something that you are passionate about.
Attorney Jon Mitchell Jackson said, “Almost without exception, successful people are usually those people who follow their passion. They're doing what they truly enjoy doing. They're pouring their heart and soul in to a project that means everything in the world to them.”
He said for many people, that is a tough question. Passions change as people go through their lives.
“Another thing to take in to consideration is that just because you're passionate about one thing doesn't necessarily mean your spouse or family is, too.”
Eventually Jackson developed a passion for the law. He is now a trial lawyer.
“I liked helping people. I really enjoyed winning trials and making a difference. These core feelings continued to mature and grow inside me. I can now say that 25 years later, the passion I have to help others is the most powerful passion I've ever experienced. It's really cool. It's fun and despite the long hours, it really doesn't feel like work to me,” he stated.
“So I ask you again, what's your passion? Whatever it is, start to design a life around it. Begin to modify your behavior and goals to include your passion in to your daily activities.”
Jackson gave a road map for people who are feeling overworked, underappreciated and a little burned out in their day-to-day jobs.
Using baseball as an example, he said the solution is to “incorporate your passion about baseball in to your everyday life.
“Keep in mind that I'm using baseball as an example. This approach works with any type of passion you may have.
“Whatever your passion—photography, knitting, dancing or writing, it simply doesn't matter. Simply insert your passion for the word baseball and take off running. Here's what I mean.
“Start a blog about baseball. Share your passion in the blog using videos, audios, and articles. Post video interviews that you do of local coaches and players. Write articles about the big weekend game. Baseball tips and tools—put it all in your blog.”
Try and find a way to work your passion in with your profession as well. On your blog or website, write about baseball and your profession.
“What you'll find over time is that you'll begin to engage with other people who have a similar interest and passion about baseball.
“New relationships will be formed. Clients will gravitate to you because you share a common passion about baseball or sports in general. The synergistic passion model will probably result in you closing your next big deal in the bottom of the sixth inning at this year's Angels versus Yankees game in Anaheim. Design your life and then live it,” Jackson said.
Entrepreneurs are made, not born, as an Ernst & Young study put on a spin on the old saying.
Nearly 60% of respondents came from a corporate background, with one-third of respondents saying that working in that environment was important for their success.
Maria Pinelli, the global vice chair strategic growth markets for Ernst & Young, said, “Entrepreneurial leaders are defined as much by their early business experience, cultural background and external environment as they are by any innate personal characteristics. Nurture not nature does appear to be more important in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset.”
The survey did find entrepreneurs would typically exhibit a combination of behaviors and attitudes that are likely to be different from many of their peers in established corporate organizations.
When asked what the top three most important qualities of an entrepreneurial leader are, over three-quarters of respondents replied “having a vision,” with 73% saying “passion” and 64% “drive.” The scores for flexibility (33%), relentless focus on quality (18%) and loyalty (14%) were much lower.
Pinelli said, “They tend to be optimists and believe they can succeed despite the fact that everyone else is telling them they cannot.”
