Women have found a relatively even playing ground in the workplace in the last few decades. But, that doesn’t mean we don’t have unique challenges to overcome. We are still, after all, considered the family nurturers and are expected to seamlessly balance everything from an education to raising a family without letting our social lives go to waste. If you’re a woman getting ready to enter or reenter the workforce, we’ve got some tips on how to do it without sacrificing either your income or the life you hold so dear.
Start your own business.
This tip might sound obvious, but many women overlook the possibility of launching their own brand. While the Small Business Administration explains that there are 10 key steps in the process, the truth is that you don’t have to do them all at once. If you have a skill or talent, you can dip your toes in the proverbial waters of entrepreneurship by freelancing. For example, if you are an accountant, lend your skills to a small business in your hometown. This can give you the confidence you need to branch out on your own while building a network and learning how to juggle your current responsibilities with your future career obligations. There are also many resources available online to help you get familiar with everything from available loans and grants to how to manage and reduce expenses associated with a startup in the middle of a global pandemic.
Master marketing.
If you’ve chosen to work for yourself, you can ease some tension with knowledge. One of the biggest stressors for entrepreneurs is the constant hustle to find new clients. While it does take work, the truth is that marketing, while ever-changing to meet consumer demand, isn’t that difficult if you know what you are doing. 60 Second Marketer’s Jamie Turner has written three insightful and instructive books on the subject. Make sure to read these, and get familiar with things like Google Ads, Instagram, and word-of-mouth marketing.
Handle the emotions.
There is no question that emotions run high in men and women alike when trying to balance work, home, and everything in between. And if you happen to be one of the millions of Americans that have been suddenly thrust into working where you live, you’ll need to learn how to manage not only your stress and professional fatigue but also how to handle nearly complete isolation from the outside world. As Work From Home Depot explains, a few simple strategies to help you do this are to communicate with your coworkers as well as your employee and practice healthy self-care habits. This may be something as simple as taking a walk at lunch or waking up 15 minutes early each day to start your morning with a quiet kitchen and a strong cup of coffee.
Set boundaries and stick to them.
Setting boundaries is perhaps the single most important thing you can do whether you’re working for someone else or for yourself. Your personal boundaries are those lines that you won’t cross when it comes to getting ahead in the workplace. This might be that you absolutely must be out of the office by 5:00 p.m. every Tuesday for an ongoing date with your spouse or it could be that you do not take phone calls on the weekends. Make sure to communicate your professional and personal limits upfront and, when possible, delegate work to the appropriate parties instead of taking on tasks just because you can do them faster. Further, make sure to take all of your allotted vacation time. CNBC points out that most workers tend to forfeit around half of their vacation time each year. Breaking away from work, even if just for a long weekend a few times each year, is crucial to both your mental health and your professional stamina.
Never stop trying.
If you want to achieve the greatest success, you can never become complacent with where you are. To truly get ahead, you must be a problem solver that has the ability to both get things done and ask for advice when you need help. Remember, the better you make your boss look, the sooner you’ll be the boss yourself.
Ultimately, finding success in the workplace means achieving a balance both at home and in the office. If you’re not happy with either, you won’t be as effective at both as you could be. It does not matter whether you plan to be the master of your own financial fate or want to stick to a nine-to-five, the tips above can help you manage.
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