If you’re an entrepreneur, your work’s probably also your passion and it can be hard to find time for you.
You probably hear how nice it must be to have the flexibility of being your own boss. And it’s true, being your own boss certainly gives you more control, but to you, flexibility is more likely to mean choosing which 20 of the 24 hours in a day you want to work. Even during your time off, you’re probably still checking-in and trying to stay in touch with what’s going on with the business.
While it’s sometimes hard to check out, setting aside regular and scheduled personal or family time is just as important as the time you devote to your business. Here are a few tips to if you’re feeling overworked:
- Set boundaries. There’s no question that entrepreneurs have to work longer hours in the early years of a business, or deal with crises when they arise, so it’s important to schedule your time. Look at the job: will it take two more hours or four? Schedule that time, and don’t work a minute more. That should curb procrastination too.
- Turn off the gadgets. Laptops and smart phones leave many of us wondering how tools designed for efficiency have caused us to work around the clock. Once you’ve established your work schedule, protect private time by severing that electronic leash.
- Get more exercise. Study after study shows that aerobic exercise is good for most of what ails us. A midday trip to the gym or a yoga class will help you fight fatigue and increase mental alertness, which will save you time. You’ll work smarter, rather than longer.
- Focus on solutions. When a crisis hits, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of what went wrong. Take control by asking yourself, what you want to achieve, then work directly to your goal.
- Remember what mom said. All those sensible rules she made still apply. Schedule adequate sleep. Eat balanced meals (not at your desk). Take regular breaks. Ask for help when you need it. And most importantly, learn how to say no.