Much as the main focus for discussion here is about our business and how we can improve, grow and scale up, it’s not all that makes us what it is to be us. 

I saw a great analogy about how to run your business effectively. It made comparisons to an athlete, which I am not, but I could follow the example. Athletes train to be better and faster. They put the hours in practising and refining their techniques. They get coaching to improve their skills and maintain their motivation levels. They monitor and analyse their own performance, so they know what areas they need to work on next. 

A crucial part of their abilities is down to discipline too. Sticking to the advised diet, getting adequate rest time, respecting their mental and emotional needs as well as their professional goals. In other words, when they aren’t on the track, they are giving attention to other basic needs.

It struck a chord with me, as I have fallen into this trap many times over. Still learning the lesson that the balance is outside of working hours as well. I know it can’t be all work and no play, cos that makes you very dull. And burnt out. A stressed mind doesn’t function very well, cos of erm, science. I think small business owners are particularly susceptible to this boom-and-bust cycle. Perhaps it’s a bit of perfectionism, or holding onto a belief that we’re the best person to do the ‘doing’ of our businesses, so we have a never ending list of jobs to carry out.

Yet with that laser focus on our businesses, we don’t always treat ourselves well. We don’t always allow ourselves time to rest and recuperate. At times, we may be under pressure trying to meet seemingly impossible deadlines. But when we are in that position, could we at least make a promise to ourselves to schedule some R + R? It might still be an up and down path, but the downtime helps us to cope better. Physically, mentally and emotionally.

Another answer might be to set actual working hours, to set boundaries with ourselves for how much we are willing to work. None of us would be drawn to a job ad for a position that is 70 hours a week. So why are we creating those conditions for ourselves?

Try this experiment. Look back on the past couple of days, and work out how much time you spent working. Working includes social media, emails, telephone calls, website updates, paying invoices, filing receipts, and all the other essential day to day stuff that you need to do for your business. 

You might be surprised. Rather than sack the boss, negotiate some healthier working hours!