As a small business owner with three kids under ten, I know what it’s like to feel tired. I’m passionate about what I do, but sometimes it’s exhausting.
On top of keeping the house tidy, ferrying kids to school, operating a taxi service to swimming and football, and attempting some kind of social life post lockdown it can be hard to find the energy, time and enthusiasm to push your business forward and make it the success you know it can be.
I thought I’d share some of the things that have worked for me over the last ten years. They may not all work for you, but it’s about finding the right mix that can help keep the energy levels up! I’d love to hear your suggestions too!
Switch off when the workday ends
For years I read my emails whenever my phone pinged. Starting to switch my emails off at 5pm was one of the best decisions I ever made. You don’t need to be available 24/7. If there’s an emergency someone will ring you. It can wait until tomorrow. The same rule applies for scrolling LinkedIn whilst watching MasterChef.
Get outside
This is especially important if your day is spent looking at a laptop. Stop, take a break, and go outside for a walk, run or ride. Not just once a day, why not get out two or three times. I promise you that you’ll get more done in the long run if you allow yourself a few moments away from the computer.
Get some help
However big or small your business, there’s always a way to get some help with the mountain of things you need to do. If you have employees, delegate everything you possibly can and trust the team around you. If you’re on your own, there are cost-effective ways of getting some help: for strategic problems, might it be faster and more effective to speak to an expert consultant? For admin tasks, what about a few hours of weekly support from a freelancer? Could you take on a student intern who would benefit from a bit of money and the experience you can offer? You don’t need to do it all on your own.
Do something for you
However busy you are, if you don’t make some time for you in your week you will eventually burnout. Most of us will learn this the hard way. Prioritise some time for you – I don’t have a regular thing that’s my go-to, but each week I’ll make time to run, read, maybe see a film, or do some yoga.
Talk to someone regularly
Knowing how to spend the time and energy you do have effectively is vital to your business success. Many of the things we fill our to-do-lists with probably aren’t the things that will ultimately build the businesses we want. I’ve been lucky over the years to have a business partner to speak to each week and a business adviser once a month. Taking the time to regularly step back from the business, reflect, prioritise and move forward is really important. Don’t waste your time on the wrong things.
From one business owner to another, life’s too short to burn out. Start doing something differently today, reach out and let’s have a chat, and let me know your suggestions in the comments below too!
You can book a free session below.
Ben