Most Americans admit that achieving the optimal work-life balance is an ongoing struggle. In fact, research reported by Zipdo.com found that 66% of full-time employees report a poor work-life balance. As a result, nearly 7 out of 10 (68%) say they are burned out, according to consulting firm Gallagher.

It’s more of a problem in some fields than others. In optical, where businesses are often open weekends and evenings, it can be a persistent and seemingly relentless challenge.

Work in Progress

Effectively managing both requires more than just self-discipline. “Work-life balance is a continual work in progress,” says Megan Baureis, OD, who owns and operates Uptown Eyes in Fayetteville, AR. “It’s never something that is just simply achieved. Thankfully, I’m a planner, and I have learned to schedule my values and priorities as well as give myself some forgiveness.”

None of this will work, however, if you haven’t trained your customers to feel confident in the hands of your staff members. That’s one of the ironies of owning your own business: You work hard to build relationships, and then you have to work just as hard transferring that confidence to staff members. As Stacy Daniel, with three Frameology locations in the Syracuse, NY, area, explains, “One of the biggest problems is that customers get very attached to you.”

Involving Staff

So, how do you transfer that trust to staff so that you can work toward being at your location for shorter periods of time? “I try to always get staff involved in the sale, especially with a new client,” explains Daniel. “Then my old customers see that interaction and start trusting. It’s about delegating in the sales process. That helps me walk away for a while during the day, and I’ll gradually move to coming in later and later.”

It’s not just about the owner or manager, however. What about helping staff achieve a better balance? “A strong, supportive culture is crucial,” says Dr. Baureis. “When the team feels valued and taken care of, a better work-life balance naturally follows.”

What can you do to create that positive environment? “I’m very generous with PTO,” says Daniel, “and I rarely say no to a request. It’s better for them, and it also retains their loyalty.”

A Happy Middle

Prioritizing goes beyond staffing, however. “The concept of balance is deceiving,” says optical veteran, consultant, and life coach Ginamarie Wells, PhD, MCC. Her advice? “Find a happy middle, meaning don’t be obsessive, but don’t ignore things either.”

That often involves helping clients reprioritize and redefine things in their business and personal lives. “We often prioritize the big things, but prioritizing the small things can be really satisfying,” explains Wells. “I get them to redefine their to-do lists. Do one thing today and then maybe three things after that. Having a to-do list with eight things on it that never seem to get done doesn’t help make anyone feel balanced.”

It’s all about being realistic and not being afraid to share responsibility for tasks. That, concludes Daniel, “is the only way you will be able to balance and walk away with confidence that your people can take care of customers.”