One of the most common challenges for business Owners is the feeling of total overwhelm; so much to do and so little time and resources available.
And for many of us, summer often brings sheer panic.
The kids are off school for such a long time, how will I get any work done at all?
Once again, I’ll end up feeling like I can’t quite do anything properly. And I do want to enjoy the extra time that I have with the family but I have to get SOME work done; it’s completely overwhelming.
As I started thinking this through, I realised that this is not just a summer time issue. This is really part of the life of any business owner, especially a Mom working from home.
How do we balance the demands of family and home life with the needs of our business?
How do we balance the passion we feel for our work with the tendency to get simply exhausted by how much others seem to need us?
I realised that the list of survival tips that I had thought about for my summer with the kids was just as relevant for entrepreneurs in business all year long.
So this week I want to share with you my 10 Terrific Tips for Summer Survival which is now the all new version –
’10 Terrific Tips for Entrepreneurial Survival!’
1. Breathe Deeply – Always a great way to start to de-stress and think of positive actionable plans!
With your own business, you sometimes don’t notice the stress creeping up until you feel completely overwhelmed…just breathe!
2. Think back to when you were a kid – remember how you felt on that first day of summer vacation.
Your passion and excitement for your business can be quickly and easily rekindled by thinking back to that moment when you decided you would do this, or a specific moment when you see the benefits your client got from working with you
3. Allow yourself feel the freedom of summer – decide how much you want and need to work.
Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you have to work night and day. Actually it’s the opposite; remember why you wanted to do this, create your IDEAL lifestyle starting RIGHT NOW!
4. Create a Calendar for the summer – seeing it mapped out really helps!
If you’re not working on a daily, weekly, monthly plan – well, you should be, take the time on a regular basis to plan your up and down times – it’ll totally transform your productivity
5. Schedule Summer Activities that you can sign the kids up for
Schedule your activities that you need to keep you on track – appointments with the people who serve your business; web designer, accountant, lawyer…
6. Schedule down time, home time for the kids too! – remember they’re on vacation!
Schedule your time with your family and friends; make the extra effort to create that quality time, not just functional time. You’ll see what a difference it makes to everyone!
7. And don’t forget time for yourself…just because the kids are home more doesn’t mean you can’t fit in time to work out, see friends, or just read a good book.
You should have daily and weekly activities that feed you. For me it’s Zumba classes, they keep me fit, sane and happy as can be!
8. Get out into Nature, take the kids on a hike, cycle or run…just get them out, away from TV screens, Facebook, computer games and mobile phones – and that includes you too!
Yes, turn them off. I mean it, at least one day a week you should forbid yourself from checking email, facebook or any other technology enhanced device – why, because you’re worth it!
9. Repeat no. 8 on a weekly basis! And include a picnic every now and again!
Like that great movie, where the hero gets led out of his office by his new love to the park across the street, she takes off his shoes and socks and makes him walk barefoot…well, you too, grass or sand – get your toes tickled as you eat a delicious picnic somewhere in nature!
10. Accept that it’s summertime and that means that you will probably work less but not necessarily achieve less. Let it go, relax, enjoy the opportunity to spend more time with your family and find this new balance. The quicker you accept the shift to summertime, the more you’ll enjoy it!
This is a shift for life! It’s your business, it’s your life – create it exactly how you want and make it great!
I’m just signing off now, to make the food for the picnic, and gather everyone up from their various activities and the train station. We’re heading to the beach with some friends.
Why not share a survival tip of your own, leave a comment below!
And have a great summer!
Your post came at the most perfect time into my inbox. I was just writing to someone about some of the challenges I’m facing, I hit the send button and then your email popped into my inbox and seemed to give me the answers……or actually remind me of them :).
Thank you. I am going to write down some of these and my own.
Breathing is one part of the awareness practices I do daily and I also like to take some time out and go outside and breathe……and sometimes I just really focus in on my hearing and just tune in and listen to all the sounds I hear…..without labeling them…….just listen……and breathe :).
thanks again!
my pleasure Gina, thanks for commenting!
Thanks Lisa!
“Most” Norwegians daily bring their two slices of bread to work, and eat them at the office in their 30 minutes lunch break during the day.
Every summer me and some colleagues I appreciate highly, but rarely find time to just have a nice informal chat with, leave office, duties, computers and phones in the middle of the day, and go out for lunch!
This action gives us just this lovely feeling of celebrating the summer while still at work, and gives us some time and space for just chatting, laughing and enjoy!
But what really makes the little added bonus here, is this funny feeling we get of doing something a bit “extravagant” and even quite “frivolous” together. I had this summer’s “out for lunch experience” yesterday 🙂 and it was as energetic and summer-fulfilling as always.
I often tell this story to my summer-overwhelmed clients, and it is always lovely to watch their faces brighten up as they start imagining themselves doing something like it.
Sounds wonderful!
Lisa,
Your point no. 8 is the Jewish Sabbath – where all electronic devices are forbidden and people catch up on much needed rest, both physical and spiritual, tackling the pile of daily newspapers or book, visiting with family and/or friends (in walking distance) as well as 2 weekly Bible classes with girlfriends with food and schmooze (Yiddish for chatting).
Your other points are great tips to calm me down after planning a strenuous “vacation”. Instead of looking forward to it, I’m kind of dreading it. Last time I had my kids to help me (with the planning and navigating and internetting). But now it’s just me and my husband. Ok, this grandmother has to grow up sometime! What did you say? Breathe deeply? Relax and smell the flowers…
BTW, some of your tips can be used in the classroom, e.g., meditation, breathing – to calm down nervous kids…Close your eyes…What do you hear?
thanks Marlene, great points!