
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com
If you’re like me, it’s easy to feel like you’re on the clock all the time – running on a hamster wheel that never ends! As a small business owner, your job likely requires a lot from you, even if you aren’t technically in your office.
Many of my TAB members tell me that it’s difficult to step away. The thoughts flood in and out: what do I need to do for payroll this month, how can I impress that customer, should I adopt that new innovation or system? And the list goes on…there is always something to do!
And it make sense: you are responsible not just to yourself and your bottom line, but to your employees for their jobs and livelihoods. That can feel like a heavy burden.
I want to assure you that it’s natural to think, plan and even worry about the challenges you face. I understand, believe me. I too struggle with this, but there are strategies to cope and make the best of the time you have.
First, if you are tempted to work on something late that doesn’t have a hard deadline, you have to tell yourself that there is always tomorrow. The problem will be there tomorrow and you’ll be more apt to think of a solution if you’re not exhausted.
Second, you need to realize that we all hit a point of diminishing returns after a long day. Similarly, you need to recognize when you’ve hit your limit. Some of you may run a business that requires long hours during some seasons or during a specific time of the year – and that’s okay. It’s also okay to occasionally work a few hours on the weekends. It can allow you to focus on a task without as many distractions. I do it myself. It’s only worrisome to me when a leader is working late perpetually without necessarily seeing a spike in demand.
I’m working with one business owner who was working seven days a week, 15-20 hours a day. He was in a horrible place mentally and was utterly exhausted. Do you think he was working from a place of strength and energy? Was the making the best choices he could? I can assure you, he was not!
Here’s a fun fact to bring the point home if I haven’t convinced you yet: being tired is like being drunk mentally. And it’s very likely that you are accomplishing less in your long hours, not more. According to a leading neurologist, who has studied sleep, “lack of sleep damages a whole host of skills — empathy, processing information, ability to handle people, but right at the top of the chain you get overly impulsive, impaired thinking, because of this problem.” Sounds like something to avoid to me.
And the gentlemen I’m working with was very near burning out. That’s not good either.
Third, remember that you set the tone and culture for your business. You and your employees will be better off in the long run if you embrace balance. And, as you know, long term sustainability is part of what will make you ultimately successful!
Fourth, consider taking time off to do something fun or attend to your personal life once in a while.
Fifth, reach out to me if you need individualized strategies to make the most of your time and not get overwhelmed.
Be well (and be rested!),
By Blair Koch