We all are constantly trying to balance our responsibilities. Life happens-your kids need attention, the babysitter bails, maybe you wake up with the sniffles, but all the while you have a business you need to run. There are so many things that can happen that can keep you from coming into work, so how do you keep the ball rolling when you can’t be there? How can you find that work/life balance when you are wearing so many hats? We are here to tell you it is possible, and here are some of the ways to make it happen.

Get the right team

A lot of restaurant owners and entrepreneurs have a hard time leaving their business. However, when you have a group of well-trained people that you can trust, stepping out to pick up your kids from school, go to a meeting, or even go on vacation doesn’t seem so impossible. You should be able to know that each new person you hire, after they have taken some time to learn the ropes, will be able to do the job as well as or better than you. This will take a tremendous amount of stress off your shoulders and make the work place run efficiently even when you aren’t there. For a guide to how to find the right people, check out episode 28: Hiring Best Practices. Finding Talent That Stays!

Know your process

One of the most important things is making sure that your team knows exactly what it is that is expected of them and how to do it. There are certain things that you do every day, that is your process. Write it down or have someone follow you making a list of all the things that you do every day to keep the place running smoothly. Having your process written down in one place that is easily accessible makes it easy for someone to take over for you if you can’t be there. This could include: checking emails, inspecting the kitchen, going out and greeting guests and so on. The key is noting what it is you do and then delegating those tasks to other people. It isn’t that they will replace you, but that they will learn how to do it. This kind of reflection can give you the chance to review what you’re doing and see if there is a way to make it more efficient.

Technology

The biggest thing to think of while incorporating technology into your business is that it should be accessible from anywhere. Email, office management apps, and other tools should be available from your phone or personal computer so you don’t have to be in the work place to check on something.

The internet has made it so easy to connect with people from anywhere, it is an asset to you. You can check in on your restaurant and chat with your staff in real time if you need to. You can monitor your freezer temperatures or your security cameras online. Let the technology do some of the work for you and it will help ease your mind while you are away.

You probably started a business because you wanted freedom, but all too frequently entrepreneurs become a slave to their business. When you find the right people, write down and analyze your process, and integrate the right technology- you give yourself the ability to have freedom and better balance work and life’s responsibilities.

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