Being a great entrepreneur is hard work.
Being a great dad is hard work.
And trying to be both a great dad and a great entrepreneur can be next-level hard.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for nearly 15 years, but everything changed when I became a dad. My work took on more meaning and I suddenly had many more responsibilities and different motivations.
I made a video about this which you can see below. If you want more content like this then make sure to subscribe to the Be Your Own Boss Podcast Youtube Channel where Blake and I teach you how you can be your own boss.
I’m still learning how to excel in both roles, but here are six tips I’ve found for being a great dad and a great entrepreneur.
Define your priorities.
You have to know what comes first for you. For me, it’s family. Defining your priorities means deciding the most important things in your life and communicating that to the people around you. It might involve tough conversations with your spouse or partner to get on the same page, especially if one of you has to make temporary family sacrifices to focus on building your business.
Master time management.
This is an important skill for all entrepreneurs, but it becomes crucial for working dads. You have to put effort into structuring your days. If you aren’t in control of your time, the day will escape you. I have rules in place to be more productive and engaged so I have the energy to be present when I’m around my family. That includes blocking time out in the morning to exercise and take my kids to school and not having calls or meetings three days a week.
Have a non-work outlet.
You are more than just an entrepreneur and a dad—you are also a human. Take time for yourself so you don’t feel burnt out and exhausted. I play competitive chess and racquetball. These outlets take my mind off work and give me energy for the other parts of my life.
Now more than ever, people are moving from full-time employment to entrepreneurship. We are collectively realizing that the only job security that exists is the one that you create for yourself, but how? My wife Blake and I are successful entrepreneurs who both made the transition while we had full-time jobs. You can learn how here.
Over-communicate.
It’s crucial to be on the same page with your spouse or partner. Err on the side of over-communicating. My wife and I are constantly sharing about our days and the ups and downs of growing our businesses. Over-communicating helps us support each other because we know what the other person is dealing with. Along with that comes knowing your skills and playing to your strengths in your relationship. Communicating and focusing on the things each person is good at allows things to run smoothly.
Don’t fall into the typical dad stereotype.
You’ve seen it in movies and TV—the bumbling dad who can’t take care of his kids. But you aren’t that stereotype. Know that you can do things and that you have the same capacity to take care of kids as your spouse. Don’t slack and fall into the stereotype because the stereotype isn’t true.
Manage your emotions.
Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster with good days and bad days. Don’t let the bad days and negative emotions seep into your parenting. A failure or setback at work has nothing to do with your kids, so don’t take your frustration out on them. Learn to manage your emotions to stay calm and stable. Take accountability for your responses and reactions
Being an entrepreneur and building a business while also watching your kids grow and develop is the most rewarding feeling in the world. Following these tips can help you make the most of being an entrepreneur and a dad.
Now more than ever, people are moving from full-time employment to entrepreneurship. We are collectively realizing that the only job security that exists is the one that you create for yourself, but how? My wife Blake and I are successful entrepreneurs who both made the transition while we had full-time jobs. You can learn how here.
Download our new guide on 5 Tips For How To Become An Entrepreneurs While You Have A Full Time Job.
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