Balancing Work and Life as a Sleep Consultant: Tips from the Pros
There is one common desire among women who transition from a full-time career to sleep consultancy: the possibility of freedom. But, that freedom doesn’t come without work; balancing work and life as a sleep consultant requires some practice.
Here are some expert tips to maintain a healthy work-life while ensuring time for your family, time for travel, and time for yourself.
Prioritizing What Matters
All of these tempting aspects of a dream life (time for your little ones, for travel, for family, for self-care) are so rarely found with the 9-5 grind.
And while these aspects truly come with this career… you still have to work for them. Any job, no matter what industry, can tend to creep its way into your free time, including sleep consulting. In fact, I’ve found that running your own business can actually end up taking way more of your free time than a typical career.
But, don’t let those factors stop you from pursuing this incredibly rewarding career. You just have to learn the strategies to keep that balance in check.
That means remaining consistent with your client boundaries, scheduling your time, and delegating tasks where you can.
After many years as both a sleep consultant AND a mom of two, here are some of the tips that have kept my work-life balance in check.
1. Set Clear Boundaries
One of the benefits of being a sleep consultant is the ability to work from home. But like so many WFH folks know… the lines between work and personal life can easily blur. Establishing clear boundaries is essential. Designate specific work hours and stick to them. Let your clients know when you’re available and when you’re not. And most importantly, hold yourself accountable to those boundaries. You need that time to recharge and be present with family.
2. Schedule In Downtime
I’ve found that I WILL work all day if it wasn’t for my kids. But when I actively schedule downtime for myself into my day, I feel far more balanced, positive, and motivated. Try to treat your down time like any other appointment—write it down and prioritize it! Make time for activities that relax and rejuvenate you, whether it’s a hobby, exercise, or time with loved ones. Taking care of yourself is crucial to providing the best support to your clients.
3. Use Technology to your Advantage
Technology is your best friend when balancing work and life. I RELY on my scheduling apps to manage my client calls, automate reminders, and handle housekeeping tasks like invoicing. When running a sleep consulting business, you cannot rely only solely on your brain to remember everything… there is simply too much going on. At the Institute of Pediatric Sleep & Parenting (IPSP), our programs teach you have to leverage these tools effectively to free up your time and keep your ducks in a row.
4. Delegate Tasks
Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks that don’t require your personal touch. Hiring a virtual assistant, marketing specialist, or a bookkeeper to handle administrative and non-client-facing work is a game changer for freeing up time in your calendar. I was surprised by how much of my day was spent doing tasks entirely unrelated to the client work when I first started my business. And, even if you aren’t at a point to hire a team, you can delegate other time-intensive tasks (like chores!) by leaning on your family and friends.
5. Keep Client Communication CLEAR
Effective communication with clients can save a lot of time and a ton of confusion. Keep your communication clear and concise. It’s also a great idea to use templates for common email responses and FAQs to streamline your interactions. This saves you time and ensures that your client is getting the best and most thorough information.
6. Continuous Learning
I’ve said it before… I’m a lifelong learner. Education is the cornerstone to any business, and staying updated with the latest trends and techniques in sleep consulting can make your job easier and more efficient. IPSP offers continuing education courses like the Special Needs Sleep Certification and Baby Sign Language Educator Course, which can diversify your skills and bring in an even wider client base.
7. Lean on Your Support Network
Having a support network can make a world of difference—especially if they know the ins and outs of the industry. IPSP provides access to a community of trained consultants where you can ask questions, share resources, and discuss trends. Plus, we know the industry and its challenges, meaning you can vent without needing to explain the details.
8. Plan Ahead
Planning your week ahead can help you see the bigger picture of your business and allocate time for your clients. Time blocking for work-related tasks and personal activities is a life-saver when you’re juggling multiple clients at a time. Overbooking can be an absolute nightmare, so plan well in advance.
9. Flexibility is Key
Life is unpredictable. We all know this. While planning ahead is crucial in your business, life happens. Being adaptable and learning to cope with change in a positive way is going to prevent you and your clients a lot of stress.
10. Take time to Reflect and Adjust
Like many of you, I set goals for myself all the time. Weekly goals, monthly goals, yearly resolutions. But how often do we actually take the time to reflect on those goals after they are completed? Scheduling in time to look back at your month or your quarter (whatever makes the most sense for you) will give you key insights about what’s working, and what needs some work.
Balancing Work and Life as a Sleep Consultant CAN be done…
Balancing work and life as a sleep consultant isn’t a one-and-done endeavor. Like any career, we’re going to swing on that pendulum, focusing more heavily on one area than another occasionally. Taking the time to reflect on that balance and planning for changes accordingly can make all the difference in finding some kind of equilibrium. Running a business is not for the feint of heart… there are always new things to learn, roadblocks popping up, and unexpected to-dos.
Want to learn more about balancing work and life as a sleep consultant? You can check out more of my blogs here. And if you’re looking to jump into your journey as a baby sleep consultant, check out IPSP’s comprehensive programs today.
