Many professionals struggle with work-life balance, but solopreneurs face a particularly tough challenge. We interviewed four Notaries to discuss their difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and the strategies they have employed to overcome them.
Finding Priorities
Janae Blatch - Florida Academy of Notaries
Janae Blatch, a Notary based in South Florida, did not intend to become a full-time business owner. However, when the pandemic hit, she transitioned from a successful career in education to working as a loan signing agent for extra income.
Initially part-time, her signing agent work became so successful that she discovered a passion for it. This led her to establish the Florida Academy of Notaries to provide training resources for other Notaries while utilizing her education skills.
Despite enjoying her work, Blatch realized that it was encroaching on her family time. During a vacation, her children asked her to stop working and put away her laptop, highlighting that family time should not be compromised for work.
After this realization, Blatch reevaluated her priorities and shifted her focus to prioritizing her life rather than striving for a work-life balance. By setting clear priorities and addressing tasks in order of importance, she found it easier to maintain perspective.
Janae’s Takeaway
Blatch emphasizes the importance of soul-searching to identify priorities, leading to significant workflow changes. She now limits her work hours, abandons the "hustle mindset," and avoids comparing herself to others to stay true to her priorities.
The Beauty of Downtime
Sue Hope - NotaryAssist
Sue Hope, the owner of Notary Assist Software, has been in business since 1999 but continues to learn how to manage work-life balance effectively.
Hope stresses the importance of setting office hours to create a clear boundary between work and personal time. By establishing specific work hours and physically leaving her home office at the end of the day, she can separate work from her personal life.
Building a network of trusted colleagues has also been instrumental for Hope. This network allows her to take time off confidently, knowing that her clients are in good hands with her partners.
Hope highlights the significance of downtime for generating ideas and fostering creativity. She believes that allowing time for relaxation and solitude is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Sue’s Takeaway
Hope advocates for carving out downtime to realign ideas and enhance creativity, emphasizing the importance of relaxation and spending time with oneself or loved ones.
Following Her Own Path
Vanessa Terry - Notary2Notary
Vanessa Terry, the owner of Notary2Notary, acknowledges the challenges of achieving work-life balance, especially while expanding her business.
Terry recognizes the need for a personalized approach to work-life balance and refrains from comparing herself to other solopreneurs. By learning to say no and setting clear priorities, she aims to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy balance between work and family.
She also emphasizes the importance of freeing up time by delegating tasks and reevaluating social expectations. Terry encourages individuals to find creative solutions that work best for them, rather than conforming to societal norms.
Vanessa’s Takeaway
Terry advises Notaries to think innovatively and embrace unconventional approaches to life, suggesting that breaking away from traditional norms can lead to significant improvements in work-life balance.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Daniel Lewis - Lewis Notary Services
Daniel C. Lewis of Lewis Notary Services desired more family time despite enjoying long workdays as a signing agent. His decision to coach his son's basketball team marked a pivotal moment, demonstrating that work and personal life can be effectively managed with the right priorities.
By defining his business goals and creating a structured schedule that includes family time, Lewis found a balance that worked for him. He also formed referral partnerships to enhance his business and free up more time for his family.
Through these changes, Lewis discovered the joy of spending quality time with his children and passing on the values of discipline and work-life balance to them. His example has influenced his children to effectively balance their own work and family commitments.
Daniel’s Takeaway
As a grandfather, Lewis recognizes the lasting impact of his lessons in work-life balance, viewing it as a valuable gift that continues to benefit his family. His experience underscores the importance of prioritizing family time and creating a harmonious balance between work and personal life.
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