By: Ethan Rogers
A few years ago, Caroline reached out to several successful entrepreneurs and asked for their advice on pursuing success. The responses varied, but a common theme emerged: the importance of learning to ask for help and making it a priority to live a balanced life.
One piece of advice stood out in particular: “Time, health, and relationships are limited resources that need to be protected, no matter how overwhelming the demands may be.”
The traditional hustle culture, which glorifies working long hours and sacrificing personal time, often leads to burnout and dissatisfaction. Instead, successful entrepreneurs are finding that real success lies in working smarter, not harder. It’s about protecting your time, setting boundaries, and focusing on what truly matters.
Caroline Balinska’s approach offers such a refreshing perspective, focusing on empowering women through efficient, purpose-driven business models.
In her early twenties, Caroline swiftly became a 50% partner in a thriving salon, where her business strategies and marketing doubled the salon’s earnings within just six weeks. Her talents as a highly sought-after hair and makeup artist, as well as a personal stylist, shone brightly in the worlds of film, television, and fashion.
Her approaches have been theoretical with a kick of pragmatism to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Building a purpose-driven business, one that aligns with personal values and supports a fulfilling life, is essential. By setting clear boundaries and prioritizing what’s most important—whether it’s family, health, or self-care—entrepreneurs can create a sustainable path to success. Her podcast Life On Purpose Over 40 was created to provide women the advice and support required to create and live their most fulfilling lives.
Balancing Personal and Professional Goals
To maintain a healthy balance, it’s crucial to redefine success. It’s no longer about the number of hours worked or the size of the paycheck; it’s about integrating work with personal fulfillment. This means setting boundaries around your time and energy—something many entrepreneurs, especially women, find challenging in a culture that often values constant availability. “Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is transformative, making intentional decisions about how I spend my time helps protect my health and relationships.”
Carving out time for self-care is also key to maintaining this balance. Be it exercise, hobbies, or quiet time alone, taking care of yourself is not a luxury, but a necessity for long-term success. Caroline shares, “I learned that taking care of my well-being wasn’t selfish. “It was essential for maintaining focus, productivity, and happiness.”
Building a Purpose-Driven Business
Building a business that supports a balanced life requires a different mindset. It’s not just about the bottom line; it’s about creating something that aligns with your personal values and contributes to your overall well-being.
This approach allows entrepreneurs to focus on the activities that truly matter, avoiding the trap of busy work and burnout. “Your business should reflect your values,” she says. “It’s about making decisions that contribute to your life, not just your bottom line.”
“There’s Always Going To Be Something”
Feeling inadequate and overwhelmed is normal as we strive to reach goals that push us outside our comfort zones. But sometimes, the answer to feeling more in control isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about taking a step back to gain a clearer perspective on what really matters and what doesn’t. By becoming more selective, we can pursue the right opportunities while still making time for personal interests.
There will always be another conference or networking event that we wonder if we should have attended. While it’s true that if we don’t show up, we miss out on having a voice in those rooms, it’s also important to do our research. Choosing events, travel, and opportunities that are strategic and aligned with our goals will help ensure we’re in the right rooms, where our opportunities are greatest, and where our input will have the most impact.
Break the Rigidity
Flexibility is also critical. Being adaptable lets entrepreneurs to navigate changes without sacrificing their well-being. Whether it’s adjusting work hours to accommodate family time or finding ways to streamline business processes, flexibility is a key factor in achieving a sustainable work-life balance. “Flexibility is not just about accommodating unexpected changes,” she explains. “It’s about building a business model that allows you to thrive, no matter what life throws at you.”
Published by Anne C.
