Midlife Matters Thought Leader: Julie DeLucca-Collins
Running a business can be challenging under the best of circumstances.
But when you’re also caring for an elderly loved one, it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. This was the situation I found myself in when my mom fell and broke her pelvis. Suddenly, I was not only running my business but also responsible for her care. It was a difficult time, but I learned much about balancing these competing demands without feeling overwhelmed. Here are some tips that worked for me:
5 Tips To Manage Your Business While Being A Caregiver:
1. Create a Routine:
Establishing a routine is one of the keys to balancing business and caregiving. This will help you stay organized and ensure that everything that needs to get done actually does get done. For example, set aside specific times each day to check on your loved one’s needs and then schedule your work around those times. This will help you avoid feeling like you’re constantly shifting gears and make staying on top of things easier.
“It was a difficult time, but I learned much about balancing these competing demands without feeling overwhelmed.”
2. Prioritize Self-Care:
It’s easy to get so caught up in caring for your loved one and running your business that you forget to take care of yourself. However, neglecting your needs can quickly lead to burnout and make it harder to manage everything else. So, prioritize self-care by setting aside time each day to do something that relaxes you or makes you happy. It doesn’t have to be anything major; even just taking a few minutes to meditate or read a book can make a big difference.
3. Delegate When Possible:
Running a business is a big job, and caring for an elderly loved one is too. Trying to do both on your own can quickly become overwhelming. So, look for ways to delegate tasks whenever possible. This might mean hiring someone to help with your business or enlisting other family members to help with caregiving responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
4. Be Flexible:
When caring for someone recovering from an injury, things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes, your loved one needs extra help, or unexpected issues arise with your business. When this happens, it’s important to be flexible and adapt to the situation. This might mean rearranging your schedule or letting go of some non-essential tasks. Being flexible will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure your loved one and your business get the attention they need.
5. Take Advantage of Technology:
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of technology to make your life easier. There are a variety of apps and tools available that can help you manage your business and caregiving responsibilities more efficiently. For example, use a scheduling app to keep track of appointments or a communication app to stay in touch with your loved one’s healthcare providers. These tools can help you stay organized and on top of things, even when life gets chaotic.
“Remember, asking for help and taking things one day at a time is okay.”
Caring for an elderly loved one while running a business is challenging but not impossible. By establishing a routine, prioritizing self-care, delegating tasks, being flexible, and taking advantage of technology, you can balance these competing demands without feeling overwhelmed. Remember, asking for help and taking things one day at a time is okay. With patience, persistence, and a little creativity, you can continue to manage your business confidently, even during difficult times.
Run Your Business With Confidence:
Running a business is never easy, but when you’re also caring for an elderly loved one, it can be downright overwhelming. However, as someone who has been in this situation myself, I know that it’s possible to balance these competing demands and continue to run your business with confidence. In this article, I’ve shared some tips for managing caregiving responsibilities while maintaining your business. But if you’re still struggling with procrastination and prioritization, you can find more resources to help you within my bio below.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your content delivered straight to your inbox.
About the Author:
Julie DeLucca-Collins is the Founder and CEO of Go Confidently Services and the host of the popular Casa DeConfidence Podcast®. As a Business and Life Strategist Coach, Julie helps women business owners launch or grow their businesses, get clients, be productive, and achieve their dreams. Julie helps her clients create simple habits to achieve goals and change lives. Julie is also the best-selling author of the newly released book Confident You (simple habits to live the life you’ve imagined). She is certified as a CBT and Holistic Coach. This past summer, she was honored to complete her certification as a Tiny Habits Coach under Dr. BJ Fogg the founder of the Behavioral Lab at Stamford University and the author of the book Tiny Habits. I
Additional resources: Course on How to Prioritize and Stop Procrastinating. As a certified Tiny Habits coach, Julie specializes in helping people make small changes that lead to big results. This course teaches practical strategies for setting goals, managing your time, and overcoming procrastination. You’ll also discover how to develop healthy habits that will help you stay on track and achieve your business and caregiving goals.
