When you work at a corporate job, you usually have a set schedule. Come five o’clock it’s time to head home and take a much-needed break. As a small business owner or entrepreneur, oftentimes we work after hours, in bed, on the weekend, on vacation, in the car, on the boat; okay you get the idea!
It’s easy to sink your heart and soul into making that business successful, especially when it’s your livelihood and passion. But working 24/7 leads to burnout, and a whole host of other problems. The biggest challenge is changing your mindset, and that’s what I’ve outlined below. Follow these steps to avoid overworking and enjoy the freedom that being a small business owner should bring.
- Delegate.
You are not an island. Also, you are not the only person who can complete the task at hand. You might feel like you are, but relinquishing control is part of the mindset change. Hire the right people who can do the job better than you can or teach them how. This is a key characteristic of a successful business owner. - Efficiency
If you are given 8 hours to complete a project, you will likely spend the allotted time on it. If you are given 4 hours to complete the same project, will you have enough time? The answer, in almost all situations, is yes! Productivity increases dramatically when you have less time. Consider setting time limits on each project and stick to it. - Objectives
Set specific objectives. Many times we set broad goals that give us little direction. Instead of setting a goal like, “This year, I will stress less,” try using a more specific goal like, “This year, I will do yoga twice a week to reduce my stress level.” Prioritizing your goals is important, too. If you aren’t sure where to start, consider what your number one goal is. Sometimes this is the hardest step. It might help to list all of your goals and then arrange them by priority. - Response Time
Have you ever sent a text message or email and felt annoyed that the recipient didn’t respond immediately? We’ve all done it. We live in a world of instant gratification and this has caused us to feel the need to answer text messages and emails immediately as well. This pressure to be constantly connected can distract and disrupt workflow. So let’s discuss appropriate response times. Set aside a specific amount of time to respond to emails and messages; this can be twice a day, but no more. 24-48 hours is completely acceptable for responding, and don’t let anyone convince you into thinking differently.
Success is possible without working 24/7. If you don’t believe it, I will help you believe it! I love coaching business owners, and would love to connect with you. Reach out to me on Facebook or send me an email at lisa@lisashawver.com.