I hear all the time from people who feel overwhelmed with trying to spend time with family and friends AND spend time working in and on their business. Sometimes they begin to wonder if it’s all worth it OR if they will actually succeed!
Does that sound like you?
If you read my blog much, you know I address this issue quite often. And today will be no different.
As I type this, I’m getting ready to head out to go do some gold panning with my husband. Yep, you heard me: Gold panning!
It was my own goal to be able to enjoy life while doing what I love to do, which is coaching others on how to do the same thing. And, here I am, hiking and panning for gold, and just enjoying the whole picture.
But how DO you fit it all in? Follow these three steps in order to avoid letting the business take over your life:
- Step 1 – Set your boundaries. Do you find yourself adding a new client here and there, from sun-up to sun-down, just so you can see them sooner rather than later? People do this when they’re afraid the client will say ‘never mind’, if they have to wait several weeks. But do you believe that’s really the case? When YOU make an appointment, will you say ‘never mind’ if the soonest you can get in is in 3 weeks from now? Sit back and recall why you’re in business for yourself. And have a conversation with your boss, who is working you too hard.
- Step 2 – Learn how to say no. Is this something you need to practice? I have some clients practice saying no to at least 3 things each day, just to learn how to do it. This helps you stay focused. Come back to this question when what feels like an amazing opportunity comes your way: “Does this opportunity help me achieve my goals right now?” If you say yes, then you might need to consider it more seriously. If your answer is no, politely say no in a way that keeps the door open for some time in the future.
- Step 3 – Be inflexible with family/play time. Decide when your personal time is, with no exceptions. For me, this is weekends. Every so often, I’ll even see a client in the early evening, or on one of my days off during the week. But weekends are not an option, period. And, in order to learn HOW to play, you may also need to include in that ‘time off’ time off from working ON your business, too. If you don’t know what to do with yourself in an evening at home that isn’t work, it’s definitely time for you to take time off!
I’ve been caught in that chronic state of eternal work. And I’ve been in that place where I’m spinning my wheels, thinking that if I just worked a few more hours, something wonderful was going to happen. However, by working too much, and allowing myself to get out of balance, I lose my creativity and my spark. And the results actually show up as LESS business, rather than more. And so today I take the time off in order to increase my success! Give it a try and see what happens for you.
Margie
well written blog. Im glad that I could find more info on this. thanks