As a small business owner, it is easy to lose sight of business and personal goals. Try these 10 tricks to keep you, and your business, in balance.
Take A Class
Being a life long learner is important to running a business. Find a class that will enhance your business or excite you. Many colleges or community centers have free or inexpensive classes on topics that feed the mind, body and soul. Check them out to find one or more that can give you a temporary break and recharge your batteries.
Take A Walk
Studies have shown that taking a brief break can help refocus during the work day. Take a 15 minute walk in the morning or afternoon to help clear your head and change your perspective. The results will surprise you.
Stick to Your Calendar
We are all guilty of working to long on a particular project. Budget your time and put it in a plan. Stick to it and when the time allotted is up, move on to the next thing on your agenda. Doing this enables you to take a break when you are getting bogged down and approach it with a fresh perspective.
Make a Call to a Friend
To many times we get bogged down and forget about the connections we make along the way. On a regular schedule (daily, weekly, monthly) take the time to reach out to a connection from the past. You will enjoy the break and the connection; and be reminded that the struggles you face aren’t unique. It will also lay foundation for reaching out when you have a crisis and need an extra hand.
Volunteer
It is true, we make time for what we feel is important. Find something that you are passionate about and put a little of yourself into it. There are numerous groups that have a multitude of volunteer opportunities. You will feel a sense of accomplishment as well as boost your self-esteem by helping a cause you feel strongly about.
Read a Book
We are not unique in the struggles we have, the joys we find or in the way that learn from others. Set a plan to read 1 book a month. Learn from leaders of your industry, as well as leaders in others. Do not overlook this simple method of adding to your knowledge reservoir.
Set Goals
This one seems simple but can be a little more complicated. Set goals, for the hour, day, week, month, year. More than that, write them down. It gives you something to measure yourself against, and there is a very satisfactory feeling in crossing something off the list that you have accomplished. Remember that goals aren’t static but dynamic, so adjust them as needed.
Evaluate Your Customers
We all have that one customer that takes up 90% of our time for 10% of our revenue. Review your customers and what you are providing for each other. Is there a symbiosis there, or is it one-sided? Are you a partnership with them, or simply a means to an end? Examine how you can improve those relationships and discover how you can improve the ones that weigh you down.
Balance Your Books
Not all of us are experts at balancing the books but take a look at what you do know. When needed, call us at Sound Accounts and we are most happy to help you examine your business and personal financial health.
Smell the Roses
Life is to short to not enjoy it. Take time to do something special that will invigorate you. Only you know what that one thing is. Take time to do it. Stop and smell the roses in your business and your life.
If you are finding that you are needing help in any of these areas, contact us here at Sound Accounts. We are always available for a consultation.
