The views expressed by the business participants are their own.
Bigger ideas than these have heralded the importance of finding a healthy work-life balance, emphasizing the physical, psychological, and social benefits. But taking time off, going to the gym three times a week and meditating may sound like a lot to ask of a busy entrepreneur.
So, you find what works. Maybe not a wakeup and cardio workout every day, but a weekly Pilates class to keep you fit. Or maybe you’re better motivated by time with friends than a meditation session.
Here are my tips for improving your schedule as an entrepreneur and balancing between rest and business success.
Related: Is It Possible to Balance Work and Personal Life? 26 Entrepreneurs Share Their Tips
Schedule breaks throughout the day
They say sitting is a silent killer – our sedentary lifestyle brings many risk factors and impacts to our health. While regular exercise is the goal, taking occasional breaks throughout the day to stand and stretch will help reduce these risks, at least.
Health experts recommend taking a 5-10 minute break for every hour you spend at your workplace. Stand up, walk around, change position, etc. It also helps to integrate the back, neck, hip and hand into your routine as well.
Another common ailment that us computer geeks face is eye strain. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule to relieve eye strain. Use green light filtering glasses to reduce eye strain, improve mental health and support a healthy sleep pattern.
This small but powerful improvement ensures that you make the most of your short breaks throughout the day, improving your physical and mental health and preventing future problems, muscular and ocular.
Don’t cheat on your days off work
Do you fully “unplug” when you take time off? When it comes to days away from the office, it’s important to give your mind (and laptop) a break. That means no checking Slack messages, no checking emails and not answering phone calls from panicked clients (unless absolutely necessary).
Do I always sign out during my vacation days? No – he is guilty as charged. But as I have come to realize the importance of time with family (for me and for them), I see this “off the radar” approach as important. Today, this is a great privilege, thanks to the support of my team, but even when I was a sole entrepreneur, I found ways to sign, even if for one day or more.
Don’t cheat yourself during the break. If your business structure and capabilities allow, hold yourself accountable for taking a real vacation, turning off your notifications and postponing business to another day. Chances are, everything will be fine when you get back.
Related: 9 Things to Do for a Work-Free Vacation (Infographic)
Know “must haves” versus “nice to haves”
Most entrepreneurs are smart people. We are the “big ideas” people in the world. This makes us prone to getting distracted by the next shiny thing, directing our attention to our important things and our important goals.
The result of pursuing these “nice to have” ideas is overwhelm, loss of investment and burnout. When we pursue new ideas without clarity and purpose, our priorities become muddled, and we have less space in our day for planning and relaxation.
I’m especially guilty of this – that’s why I have my “no” person (my COO). He keeps my ideas in check, helping me figure out the “must haves” versus the “nice to haves.” This not only helps keep my company on track, but also ensures that I spend my productive time on important tasks while allowing enough time for rest.
Find jobs that feed you
Many guidelines on how to achieve work-life balance do not align with my unique interests and goals. For example, I’m not a chill, morning meditation or yoga person. But I find that time with my family is more nourishing than anything else. I enjoy traveling, meeting new people and going out to delicious restaurants.
The key to balancing your schedule is finding what feeds you. For you, that might be a morning walk, playing with your dog, hitting the pickleball court or hitting up friends for happy hour. Identify the activities that best support your physical, social and emotional health, and make time for these.
Traditional advice would have you believe that you need to plan your day in a certain way – eg, getting up early, exercising, blocking time, etc. In fact, everyone works differently. Find things that motivate you, organize your day in a way that makes you feel productive yet refreshed, and schedule time for things that feed your soul.
Related: I’m So Busy – Yet I Still Have Lots of Free Time. Here are 10 Hacks I Use to Actually Enjoy My Life
Watch for early signs of burnout
Like a thief in the night, burnout sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It can feel like one month, you’re on top of your game, then all of a sudden, you’re a couch potato who doesn’t have the willpower to reach into the fridge for a soda. The goal is not to let it get to this point, but that requires the ability to spot the signs of burnout early.
This may seem different to different people, but in general, the symptoms of burnout include constant tiredness (which does not improve with rest), a struggle to stay focused and motivated, more angry and frustrated than usual, social withdrawal and ambiguity. health issues. Basically, if you’re feeling “weird” and you’re not sure why, burnout may be nearby.
The good news is that if you catch these symptoms early, you will be better able to minimize the damage. You may need to rearrange your schedule, schedule more breaks in your day, talk to a friend or book a vacation. Resist the urge to use force; The mental and physical effects of burnout are unpleasant!
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