Editor’s Note: Finding the right balance
Maintaining a good work-life balance may be more complex than ever, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible.
How do you balance your business and your personal life? We asked that question to several successful local business owners, and to our surprise, many came back with similar responses: “I don’t.” “You’re asking the wrong person.” “My workday is never-ending.”
A few suggested we reach out to other business owners, but many of those individuals were in the same boat — spending a disproportionate amount of time on the job at the expense of their relationships and interests.
This imbalance is not unique to the Lowcountry. According to a survey by Apollo Technical, 48 percent of small business owners in the United States consider themselves workaholics, and 66 percent admit they lack the work-life balance they need.
Today’s professional landscape has made achieving that oh-so-valuable work-life balance more challenging than ever.
First there was the development of modern digital technology. As valuable and helpful as advanced digital devices are, the fact that they allow constant connectivity is not without its downsides.
Second, the dramatic increase in people working from home made matters even more complicated, erasing the natural, physical divide that once separated work from home.
The net result is that many professionals now feel they are “always on” and are never truly away from their jobs.
This Q4 issue of LOCAL Biz takes a closer look at our work-life balance and why it matters; plus, it provides actionable tips for finding the right balance in this demanding business landscape.
Maintaining a good balance may be more difficult now, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible. We hope this issue inspires you to find a balance that works for you and your team as you finish the year strong and set high goals for 2023.
Lance Hanlin
Editor-in-Chief
