I recently had the privilege to chat with the #VCBuzz community on Twitter. Viral Content Bee has been hosting this chat on Tuesdays at 12 pm EST / 9 am PST for years with great success.

Viral Content Bee is a free platform for social media sharing helping you get more shares for your high-quality content.

The topic was (guess!) “How To Achieve Life-Work Balance” for entrepreneurs.

For a busy entrepreneur, freelancer or small business owner, work tends to come first. I’m sure you all agree with me. It is hard to maintain work-life balance when you know that you really don’t have business hours and you are earning money only as long as you are actively doing something at every moment of your life. Yet, life needs to come first because you only have one. So how to put life on top of your priorities?

If you missed the chat, no worries! Below is the recap for you.

Q1 How did you become an entrepreneur? Please share your career story! #vcbuzz

— Viral Content Bee (@vcbuzz) March 10, 2020

A 1 (1/5): I think I was born an entrepreneur! I love being my own boss too much 😊
I started an event and wedding planning company back in the ‘80s and I was so passionate that I prioritized clients and business deadlines but ignored my personal needs. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A1 (2/5): This caused stress, then burnout, then health issues that no doctor could fix. I became a knowledge seeker and discovered the importance of nutrition, sleep, movement, and self-care in order to thrive in life and be successful in business. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

I think it's admirable and worth leading the example that we are curious and seek information and educate ourselves how sth can be changed or fixed, since health is our priority and we do need to take charge. But please seek info from trusted sources! #VCBuzz https://t.co/NjRZfaK4Cc

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

A1 (3/5): I changed my lifestyle, health issues disappeared, my business increased. Life before work, not the other way around. We are human beings, not human doings. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

"We are human beings, not human doings". Amen @SabrinaCadini. We only have one life and one health. No amount of success, money or fame will be able to help if you waste them or you don't take care of your body, mind and soul #VCBuzz https://t.co/viNfuQPei8

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

A1 (4/5): My newfound knowledge inspired me to pursue a career in coaching and help others succeed in life personally and professionally by improving well-being, focus, positivity, happiness, productivity #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A1 (5/5): I became certified in holistic life coaching & brain fitness coaching so that I could focus on my clients as a whole, combine neuroscience, biohacking, positive psychology, and mindfulness techniques to implement effective behavior changes. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

Q2 Why is achieving life-work balance so challenging these days? Has it always been so difficult? What has changed and why? #vcbuzz

— Viral Content Bee (@vcbuzz) March 10, 2020

A2 (1/5): Modern society prioritizes work, being always on the run, being always productive. It celebrates busyness to show we’re successful. Also, the fast-paced environment forces us to speed things up by rushing through our daily routines and tasks. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

I think we've lived in environment / society that glorified hustle and 24/7 grind in a very aggressive way, that we've lost our ways a little bit. When you work ALL the time, it will impede other part of your life & health, sooner or later. #VCBuzz https://t.co/1fqC6I8MM4

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

It is so easy to find yourself depressed after a few years of working too hard! Emotional health is easier to lose than to get back! #vcbuzz https://t.co/vw13hHzrzG

— Hire Bloggers (@hireblogger) March 10, 2020

Yup, burnout is real. And you never ever fully recover from it, especiqlly if you've let yourself in stressful situations too long. I think it's important to know where your priorities lie & why they're important to you – then it's easier to focus on finding your balance #VCBuzz

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

A2. There is lots of pressure in today’s society to be overly “busy” it’s almost like it makes you feel important. That alone causes stress. I agree @SabrinaCadini . I believe we have to slow down to evaluate what’s really important. #selfcare #vcbuzz https://t.co/rjBebjejB5

— Janette Speyer- Independent #Flipboard Mkt. (@JanetteSpeyer) March 10, 2020

A2 (2/5): It’s very difficult for us to enjoy life’s precious moments: we’re always chasing the next dream, the next goal. We are usually last in our to-do list, but this behavior is taking a toll on our health and well-being. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A2 (3/5): It feels like we can’t afford to have time for ourselves, but it can be done. We need time to slow down and rest. When they have the time to recharge, our bodies and our brains perform much better. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A2 (4/5): A successful person, in my opinion, is not a “hustler”; instead, it’s someone who is able to work smart (body and brain are optimized, we’ll see how) and utilizes precious time for personal life. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A2 (5/5): We must take care of ourselves or we won’t be able to accomplish what we want in the long run. Our health is our wealth. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A2: Work is integrated in life – but is not life. Our need to find value based solely on work has made us angst-y, unhappy beings. And worse, we have passed this to our children. #vcbuzz

— Drea #UnapologeticallyMe (she/her) (@DreaVilleneuve) March 10, 2020

A2 Too many times we're wired to think that only when you're active & productive, there's worth in it. And that that's the only acceptable way. Yet when you know how to be effective, how to work smart & put importance into self-care & time off – that's success in my 📚 #VCBuzz

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

Q3 How to put life first? How to motivate yourself and make life your actual priority? #vcbuzz

— Viral Content Bee (@vcbuzz) March 10, 2020

A3 (1/9): People try to achieve #WorkLifeBalance but they don’t realize that it should be the opposite: take care of yourself first in order to increase productivity at work, and you will have more time for what you love to do #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3 (2/9): We may be most evolved and sophisticated species on this planet, but we’re still an animal species and our genes are still the same from thousands of years ago. We have to respect the basic needs of our body first: nourishment, movement, rest #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3 (3/9): Our body is a very sophisticated system where everything is connected: when we use the right “tools” (nutrition, sleep, movement, self- care) we can improve our cognitive function and productivity exponentially. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3 (4/9): Eat whole foods rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. Real food is information for our genes, can reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, facilitate detoxification, slow down oxidative stress & cellular aging, improve microbiome. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3 I definitely agree with this. Eat REAL food. Mine is still alive when I harvest it for my daily salads. #vcbuzz https://t.co/PMK9ShNPrt pic.twitter.com/N3E3C3RusP

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

Indoors I grow little tomatoes, green peppers, microgreens (peas, buckwheat, sunflowers, radishes, salad mix, kohlrabi, mustard, basil), sprouts (sunflowers, radishes, alfalfa & poultry mix for the ducks that give me eggs). #VCBuzz Tomatoes all year long from this window. pic.twitter.com/SWM5vxus1r

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

A3 (5/9): Sleep between 6-8 hours every night consistently. Our circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycle) is closely linked to hormone production, weight maintenance, stress management, and more. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz pic.twitter.com/MEZFzwAWtx

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3 Some days you may need MORE than 8 hours. Sleep when you're tired. If your circadian rhythm gets off often, reduce your exposure to wireless and cordless everything. Get out in the sunshine, ideally barefoot. #vcbuzz https://t.co/171O1ahMOS

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

I've worked hard to stick to my sleeping routine! No staying up after midnight, and re power naps – sometimes when my body craves shuttinf off, I rather do a short power nap and then feel refreshed, than just weathering thru tiredness. It's worked wonders #VCBuzz

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

I'm getting much better at getting my regular sleep in, thanks also to you & your support, Sabrina. And I do go to bed at the same hour & when I feel fatigue catch me, I inspect what's happening w/me and slow down 💪 and do things differently #VCBuzz

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

A3 (6/9): Move daily to improve blood flow, lower stress, promote detoxification, regulate hormones (and to stimulate new neural connections in the brain when you run). #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz pic.twitter.com/R3BviuNvkb

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3 Either do something you LOVE (so you'll consistently do it) or take up something you can learn to love. I recommend GROWING PLANTS indoors or out, in soil or jars #vcbuzz

Everything in this salad grew INDOORS in the winter. https://t.co/QU7ju5UqcT pic.twitter.com/eEMLbZOHRG

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

A3 (7/9): Don’t forget self-care: it’s not a luxury or a sign of laziness, it’s necessary to thrive in our personal and professional life. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz pic.twitter.com/G2fS9IlZbB

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

Self-care = Self-love.
Knowing how to take care of yourself in order to be there for others, is important #VCBuzz https://t.co/j9bS8HuQje

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

I highly recommend taking a day of rest when you get away from everything related to your regular work. And take a break from tech, too! [Personally, I'm on a permanent break from smart phones – never had one – and leave the 3g emergency-only flip phone powered off.] #vcbuzz https://t.co/j1vuJwMOOk

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

I work from home and have 2 28" monitors. No need for a smart phone. When I walk outside into nature, I don't want messages interrupting me.

When you realize smart devices constantly transmit, interrupting your body's healing you'll reduce or ditch #vcbuzz pic.twitter.com/NGiBF2Lf6Q

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

As a computer tech for IBM, I was basically on call 24×7 for 23 years. First to have a pager, then a transmitting keyboard (1984), then cell phone. Now I have none of them.

Toward the end the "right-sizing" meant interrupted sleep almost nightly. That's why I resigned. #vcbuzz https://t.co/ZmUgRh18zC

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

Most people don't realize how bad WiFi and smart devices are for their health. Constant transmissions through your body causes many people anxiety, headaches, foggy brains. They just don't realize the cause, yet. #vcbuzz No WiFi, wireless, cordless, smart anything here. #VCbuzz

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

A3 (8/9): As a result, you’ll increase:
*Positivity
*Creativity
*Productivity (you’ll accomplish more in less time)#LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3 (9/9): What does this all mean?
*More time for you, your family, your friends
*Goals achieved faster
*No more multitasking
*More sales for your business
*A happier life!!!#LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A3: Learn to find joy. Choose self care, so you can properly care for others. Live in kindness. Make choices for health, as well as healthy choices. Give. #vcbuzz

— Drea #UnapologeticallyMe (she/her) (@DreaVilleneuve) March 10, 2020

Q4 How to deal with burnout? #vcbuzz

— Viral Content Bee (@vcbuzz) March 10, 2020

A4 (1/3): Burnout happened to me years ago and it wasn’t fun. Maybe you experienced it (or you’re experiencing it) too. Some tips:
*Give priority to self-care
*Set clear boundaries between life & work
*Schedule everything
*Learn to accept and let go#LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

Sabrina, I'd add from my exoetience also – Do NOT minimize what's going on and look for short-term solutions (just this week, just this quarter etc) and think that it makes you week or exaggerating if you seriously need to stop. You seriously need to STOP and find help #VCBuzz

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

Another major cause of stress and anxiety: Trying to solve many problems at a time! Never do that! Focus on one thing at a time! #vcbuzz

— Anna Fox (@manifestcon) March 10, 2020

Yup, great advice, Anna!
Step by step, one at a time 👍
And for me, it's been crucial to start sorting issues and challenges abd problems to 2 groups: important / urgent / life-influencing and non-imprtant. #VCBuzz

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020

THIS! There is a great 4 section chart on how to prioritize. Don't do urgent things that aren't important is the key takeaway. Focus on what is most important first and don't do the "little things to get them out of the way". #VCbuzz https://t.co/5cDFn6A6tc

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

A4 (2/3): I recently wrote about burnout, how to recognize the symptoms, and how it differs from stress & depression: https://t.co/hBO4AJdtgd #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A4 (3/3): In the post, I also listed tips to prevent or reverse burnout. Burnout always results from prolonged stress (usually at work), I hope you’re able to recognize its early signs to avoid negative consequences. #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz pic.twitter.com/WYZ0VXEHtR

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A4 Most burnout is due to overworking. If you feel stressed or you're behind, that is NOT the time to pull all-nighters trying to catch up!

Health first. Take a break. Go for a walk. Cuddle with your pets. Do anything to relax. You'll then get much more done! #vcbuzz pic.twitter.com/PKFFAIP1lv

— Gail Gardner (@GrowMap) March 10, 2020

Q5 What are resources and tools you can recommend for our community to start building life-work balance? #vcbuzz

— Viral Content Bee (@vcbuzz) March 10, 2020

A5 (1/4): First of all, I would love to share my “How To Achieve Life-Work Balance” ebook as a “thank-you” for being here on the chat with us today: https://t.co/u8TZVDcTI7 #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A5 (2/4): I have a list of favorite apps on my website: https://t.co/268Pp49Vuu #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A5 (3/4): Also, my favorite books: https://t.co/CTLQ8OlI4E (come back often as I constantly add new ones) #LifeWorkBalance #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

A5 (4/4): And, if you’d like to chat with me, feel free to schedule a FREE Clarity Call for a quick #LifeWorkBalance assessment: https://t.co/3Y746Wj0Vn #vcbuzz

— Sabrina Cadini, CHLC, CBFC (@SabrinaCadini) March 10, 2020

@GrowMap @SabrinaCadini Definitely got some inspiration today from you ladies! #vcbuzz

— Sana Knightly (@SanaKnightly) March 10, 2020

@SabrinaCadini well this was a fantastic mid-day lesson for our community. Thank you SO MUCH for so many ideas and resources! #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 10, 2020

Couldn't agree more! @SabrinaCadini is excellent! So many useful thoughts and tips and some crafty graphics 👏👏👏👏 #VCBuzz https://t.co/emlsxcNTmd

— Zala Bricelj – 🇸🇮 😊 #edutech is my jam (@ZalkaB) March 10, 2020