Hey friend! Carly here, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: balancing work and life. While I’m always learning how to balanced life to fit the seasons, as a self-employed brand designer, mother, wife, and weekend sparring enthusiast, I like to think I do know a thing or two about juggling responsibilities. So grab a cup of your favorite brew, and let’s get into it!

1. Embrace Your Authenticity

Hey, Carl! Is all about authentic and personality-packed branding. That authenticity extends beyond our brand and into our daily lives, too. For me and the brand for Hey, Carl! It revolves around brand design, homeschooling my girls, and staying true to myself as much as possible. Embrace your quirks, your passions and your values. Not only does this help you create balance between work/life – it keeps you feeling aligned. Bonus: it helps you be unique and set you apart from your competition.

2. Make Time for Play

Work hard, play hard, rest hard – that’s my motto.  Whether it’s stepping into the boxing ring or indulging in a conspiracy theory or two, making time for hobbies and interests keeps the creative juices flowing. Remember, all work and no play makes a dull brand.

3. Set Clear Boundaries

I mostly work with creative entrepreneurs. As a creative myself, it’s easy to have work spill into personal life. Set a clear boundary by designating specific work hours, having a dedicated work space or if you work in different locations – make a ritual to help set the tone of the work space you’ll be in, and don’t be afraid to turn off your notifications. If it’s an emergency, they’ll know how to get a hold of you. Otherwise I’m 100% sure it can wait a few hours or the next day. Your job is not an administrative assistant (bless you admins, we love you times a million), your job is running your business.

4. Build Your Support System

Behind every successful brand is a support system. Lean on friends, family, or fellow business owners. Share your goals, your struggles, and your triumphs. Here at Hey, Carl, we’re not just a brand; we’re a community.

5. Celebrate the Small Wins

Whether you’re on the road to $100,000 annual revenue or building that newsletter to 1,000 subscribers, don’t forget to celebrate the small wins. Every milestone, no matter how tiny, is a step towards your dreams.

Balancing work and life isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. It’s a personalized journey that reflects who you are and what you value. So go ahead, embrace your authenticity, make time for play, set those boundaries, build your support system, and celebrate every win.

Remember, friends, life’s too short to be anything but yourself. Keep it real, keep it fun, and keep it Hey, Carl!