Milestone 1: Find a Work-Life Balance
Navigate schedules
Your schedule, particularly where, when, and how you work or learn, may be more flexible than your service member’s schedule; however, it may also be more independent and complex. Considerations include what type of career you have or what type of training or education you seek, and your current location. The operational tempo of your service member’s role may keep him or her away from home or allow for more family time. Whatever your situation, consistent communication with your partner about work and life schedules and requirements, while managing expectations, is necessary to meet everyone’s needs and to achieve your goals.
Resources For
Navigating Schedules
Google Calendar
Use Google Calendar to organize your business. Learn how to, “Make the most of your day: 7 Google Calendar tips”.
Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
Manage your Time and Reach your Goals
Learn how to gain control of your time with these management tips.
Military OneSource
Building Healthy Relationships
Free education-based consultation designed to strengthen your relationships.
All done with this step?
Thriving in the self-employment or entrepreneurship environment
Today, it is possible to work from anywhere – fully and solely running a business in a virtual environment. On the other side of this freedom and flexibility, there can be isolation, fewer opportunities for building trusting relationships with others, and constricted collaboration and networking opportunities. As a modern entrepreneur, you may benefit from building a supportive community to enrich your work environment and support a healthy overall life.
Resources For
BUILDING COMMUNITY IN AN INDEPENDENT WORK ENVIRONMENT
COLLABORATIVE WORK ENVIRONMENTS
Find a Local Coworking Space
As a geographically-diverse military spouse, the most efficient way to search for a co-space location would be to conduct a Google search for “coworking spaces near me”. Then, find a coworking space that fits your needs and budget.
COLLABORATIVE WORK ENVIRONMENTS
Explore local offerings via Google Startup Community
Google runs and partners with leading coworking spaces, accelerator programs, and events to help startups do what they do best.
Social Media
MeetUp.com
Find and organize online groups and host in-person events with people in your area who share similar interests.
Resources For
WELLNESS IN A REMOTE AND SOMETIMES ISOLATING WORLD
MILITARY ONESOURCE
Health and Wellness Coaches
If you’re ready to make some life changes, free consultations with Military OneSource health and wellness coaches can help you set goals and create a plan to reach them.
Other Resources
Find Behavioral Health Services
A confidential and anonymous source of information for those seeking treatment facilities for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.
All done with this step?
Developing professionally
One of the most important characteristics of a business owner is his or her willingness and desire to learn new things. Regularly seek out and participate in professional development to maintain your competitive edge.
Resources For
Professional Development
LinkedIn Learning
Over 15,000 courses from industry experts with a Free LinkedIn Premium account from SECO.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Online Learning Center
Courses of Study include Competitive Advantage, Legal Requirements for Small Businesses, How to Prepare a Loan Package.
PRIMER
Free mobile app that offers quick, easy-to-understand lessons to help business owners grow skills and reach their goals.
Hiring Our Heroes
Career Forward
Gain industry-recognized skills through a Google Career Certificate in data analytics, IT support, project management, or UX design, then connect with ready-to-hire employers.
All done with this step?
Seeking time for self-care
Taking time for yourself – doing something you enjoy or that provides relaxation – can help ease some of the stresses of managing military life. Finding and dedicating self-care time is often easier said than done, but it is vital that you fit it into your schedule. So, put self-care on your calendar, and read a book, do some yoga, speak with a counseling professional, try a new recipe, or just soak in the great outdoors – do whatever activity helps you feel your best.
Resources For
Self-Care
Military OneSource
Non-medical counseling
Confidential non-medical counseling provides service members and their loved ones with resources and support to address a variety of issues and build important skills to tackle life’s challenges.
Military OneSource
Wellness Apps
Examine recommended Wellness Apps from Military OneSource.
If you could use a little practice with making time for activities you enjoy, review this checklist. It will help you generate ideas on how to include self-care and create balance in your military life.
Weaving Self-Care into your Military Life
- Make a list of three enjoyable activities you would do if you had a day away from all of your other responsibilities. Choose at least one significant (e.g., day trip) activity and at least two activities that take less than 3 hours to complete. If you want to connect with a new networking group or gain more knowledge in a particular area, see if there are any activities with that population or related to that topic.
- Use Google, the newspaper, and social media sites to search for local opportunities to complete at least one of those activities locally.
- Schedule the activity for a few weeks into the future. Then intentionally weave it into your schedule.
- Invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to complete the activity with you.
- Go do the activity!
- If applicable, identify 1 to 2 ways that the experience helped you with your career or education (e.g.., mentoring, networking, skill development, teamwork, a creativity boost). Share your thoughts with your new network connection.
- Repeat as needed!
