As we get ready to enter 2025, let’s consider the importance of life/work harmony.

Yes, I said life/work harmony. Life before work, because without your life there is no business and harmony, because this is actually what is meant by the word “balance” in this case. Life and work are a balancing act with the objective being creating harmony between the two.

Tremendous amounts of time, energy and effort go into running a business. With everything there is to do, it is easy for those who own a business to sacrifice many aspects of their personal life, if not entirely, in the pursuit of the happiness and success they seek.

Your business is only one aspect of your entire life. You also have the very important relationships you share with family and friends, your health, passions, hobbies and interests. When you choose to or unconsciously allow yourself to become increasingly consumed by business and neglect these other aspects of your life, your well-being and happiness fades away.

There is no real benefit to working yourself into the ground, however. When you become fatigued and worn down, your business suffers simply because you do not possess the mental clarity, energy and composure necessary to be the caliber of leader required, to create the level of happiness and success you desire.

Conversely, there is tremendous benefit to everyone involved – the business owner, team members, customers and families – when harmony between one’s personal life and business is created and maintained over time.

The more out of balance and unhappy you are, the less your financial success will ultimately mean to you because of the tremendous price you paid, what you sacrificed along the way, in order to get it. You cannot go back and recapture those magical times in life after your kids are grown. Once a divorce takes place, it is impossible to return to the past and make up for neglecting the marriage. When your health fails, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get it back.

The interesting thing about creating harmony between life and business is that, in addition to improving the quality of your life, it allows you to be a more productive, creative and effective business owner. When you make the time for self care and engage in the other aspects of your life, you recharge mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, and therefore you have more to give. In other words, you increase your own potential and the potential of your business.

When you are in balance with your life and business you tend to treat the people in your personal and professional life better because your perspective is clearer, your attitude is more pleasant, you’re more patient, your fuse isn’t so short, and you are happier. When you treat people better, they have the tendency to do the same, and all your relationships improve as a result.

When you go on vacation with your significant other or skiing with your kids, be fully present with them. When you attend a family function, spend time with friends, go for a bike ride, read a book in the hammock, take a swim or anything else you decide to do, enjoy the moment for all it’s worth.

Taking your spouse out for your regular date night, spending quality time with your kids, pursuing your passions and going on vacation are not synonymous with working and doing business. While it is true you can take your work with you on vacation, the reality is neither will be the best they can be as long as your attention is divided between them. One must give way to the other. A working vacation is not a vacation; it’s merely working in a different location.

The secret to all of this is truly stepping away from your business when you get outside the office to engage the rest of your life.

Turn off your phone, step away from the computer, leave your business thoughts and concerns behind as much as you can, which you can do much more than you currently realize. When you choose to do so, all the moments of your life will take on a greater meaning for you and for everyone involved.

As a business owner, you are the foundation of your enterprise. The more energized, inspired and balanced you are, the stronger your company will be.

Live your life with the intention of creating harmony among its differing aspects, and you will not only be successful, but perhaps more importantly, you will be happy.