I Run My Own Business. These 7 Post-Work Habits Help Me Unplug And Reclaim My Time.
Often have a set of problems that go beyond 5 p.m.
For many entrepreneurs, their business is their lifeblood, which makes it tough to ignore that late-night client email (potentially leading to a new contract) or put work on hold during a family vacation. However, as they're human, business owners can still get overwhelmed and worried, making it essential they unplug and spend time with loved ones or develop routines to manage stress and free up some time for themselves.
People across the country are sharing their daily routines with one another, but following these habits isn't easy, and it takes some effort, entrepreneurs from across the country shared their morning (and evening) tips for keeping their lives organized.
They examine their performance from the day.
podcast.
For her review, Bierly records the tasks she completed and notes any work-related items she needs to examine tomorrow.
“When I use it, it actually helps me stay organized,” she said. It also helps Bierly separate her work and personal life. Writing things down helps her clear her mind and shake off any thoughts that have been obsessing her.
Without closing out your day, you can spend too much time thinking about all that needs to be done, and what you may have forgotten, which can become overwhelming and take away from time for enjoying things you want to do, like spending time with loved ones or relaxing.
They develop a pre-set email reply to help reduce stress.
This has allowed her to take her time back and feel less "on" at all hours.
She customizes her auto-response at different times of the year, usually including frequently asked questions, a way for people to reach out to her, and when they can expect a response. This approach "has saved me a tremendous amount of time on tasks that would otherwise bleed into my personal life," Scieszka said.
Think about it: Have you ever been tempted to reply to a "quick" email from the couch just to find that it completely derailed you from the show you were watching or time with your partner?
Scieszka's auto-response email her quickened decline in the need to check email after hours. Rather than replying to contacts with details such as availability or pricing information, for instance, her auto-response handles that.
They block off time to tackle essential tasks unrelated to work.
A podcast with Bierly mentioned that some of the most difficult tasks beyond work responsibilities include tasks like handling tax issues and paying bills.
I have to set clear limits for myself, both physically and in terms of my schedule, in order to disconnect from work and the other things I'm handling.
I understand the importance of balance in my life, so I make it a priority. I don't simply wish for it to happen.
I'm going to schedule it in my calendar, and dedicate a specific time for these tasks. I'll label that time as 'pay bills' and 'pay parking tickets.'
She said it's also helpful for concentration to get out of the space you were working in. "I will go to a coffee shop with all my bills and parking tickets and get all of that done," she said.
Adding to that, she often pairs those unpleasant tasks with something she genuinely enjoys, such as a good cup of coffee. "That helps motivate me to tackle those more dull and tedious tasks that I usually try to put off," Chaiken notes.
They set clear expectations for how they will communicate on a daily basis and in unexpected situations that might arise.
In addition to the auto-reply email, Scieszka has signs and papers throughout the hotel that clearly communicate her communication expectations with guests and potential guests. As someone who owns a hotel and bar, which operate around the clock, this has allowed her to work more efficiently during her time off.
Setting clear expectations for how you'll communicate with people is beneficial as it combats one of the top concerns of business owners and self-employed individuals today, which is that you'll fall behind in your work, seem unresponsive, or appear uninformed if you don't respond promptly. This can undermine your mental well-being as you try to establish a healthy work-life balance.
To address the issue, "I essentially provide the face-to-face equivalent of an automated response to frequently asked questions. Every visitor has a list of frequently asked questions in their room, which clearly explains things. It also includes my contact information and advises them to go to my house and knock on the door if they have an emergency."
But if it's not an emergency, "it's just gotta wait until tomorrow," Scieszka said. Setting clear communication boundaries gives Scieszka peace of mind and lets her really enjoy her time off.
I know that if I'm with my family and the bar has closed and we're just hanging out and someone comes to the door, I need to be paying attention – that's an emergency.
They make plans and set limits for the enjoyable activities as well.
Bierly and Chaiken also recommend setting limits and getting into regular habits for the parts of life that don't involve work. This way, you'll actually get to the things that matter, such as watching your daughter's soccer game or spending time with friends, and not just deal with them via work commitments.
Bielary stated that she needs to have routines in place to make time for non-work-related activities. “I have to work out at the same time every day ... I need a routine to see my friends. If I'm left to my own devices, I would just work all hours of the day.”
“I understand it’s better for my well-being to have balance in my life. So I make it happen. I don’t just wait for it to happen by itself,” Bierly said. For your situation, making that balance could look like blocking off every Friday evening for family game night, or setting aside every other Monday afternoon for lunch with your neighbor.
Chaiken looks at the important things in her life, such as her family, friends, health, and career, and reflects on how much time she's spending on each of them. If she realizes she's mainly focusing on just one or two of these areas, she makes a conscious effort to allocate more time and energy to the others as well.
It's crucial to be mindful of this because it is very easy to fall into the habit of working 24/7.
They prioritize their tasks.
When you're the owner of a business, the work is never-ending. You'll always have a to-do list with different priorities, or you'll end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
Scieszka uses multiple to-do lists and recommends that other business owners do the same. You might create one list for things to do today, another for this week, and another for the entire quarter, for instance. This approach can help alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed caused by a big list of tasks that aren't relevant right now.
According to Scieszka, when tasks are put into categories and given a sense of priority, they seem more manageable. This system also serves as a gentle reminder that you don't have to accomplish everything in one day or even during the course of a week. Some tasks are best suited for completion within just a few months.
They make a healthy lifestyle a top priority.
In Wyoming, sticking to a regular exercise and healthy routine really helps keep him motivated and inspired every day.
.
In addition to that, he makes movement a priority almost every day, with a focus on skiing given that he lives close to some of the country's finest mountains.
"That feeling really motivates me to focus and put my full effort into getting my work done," he said.
A healthy lifestyle is essential for a person running a business, as it enables you to concentrate more effectively on work-related tasks and maintain energy for other activities outside of work.
Posting Komentar