When you run your own business it is hard to take time out. It isn’t until you actually set up a business and become self-employed that you realize just how hard it is. You have to spend a lot of time and energy running the business that it often leaves you with little time to focus on anything else. If you’re looking for ways to take a little easier without sacrificing your company’s success, the tips below may help.
Improve your daily schedule
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in business is not scheduling your time properly. It causes you to work harder than you may need to and can lead to added stress and less time to spend with the family. A great tip is to account for the inevitable afternoon lull. This occurs between 2pm and 4pm. It doesn’t matter who you are, your brain will be a lot less willing to work hard between these hours. Therefore it is a good idea to schedule any intellectual tasks before this time. Save the afternoon lull for simple work and you will feel a lot less stressed and ensure you get out of work on time.
Don’t be afraid to delegate
You may be the owner of your business, but that doesn’t mean you have to take on the majority of the tasks. If you’re finding you don’t have much time left for yourself or your family, learn to delegate more. If your staff can’t handle any more tasks then consider outsourcing some of your workload. It’s actually really affordable to outsource certain tasks and it frees up a lot of time for you.
Invest in tools to make it easier
You will find a lot of tools on the market to help you run your business more efficiently. It makes sense to make use of these tools where you can. For example, have you considered using HR software? This can help make stressful tasks such as payroll a lot quicker and less of a headache. There are even a lot of free tools you can use which will help to free up a little time.
Schedule some YOU time
If you’re spending too much time working, it can have damaging effects on your health and your social life. If you’re struggling to take time out for yourself then keep in mind that it is more harmful to your business if you don’t have any down time than it would be if you did schedule a little time out for yourself every day. Make a goal to finish by a set time each day and stick to it. Turn your phone off and don’t check your emails after this time.
It can be difficult juggling work and family life when you run a business. It’s easy to think things will fall apart if you aren’t spending every waking minute working. However, you may just be surprised by how much your business improves once you do start to take time out for yourself and the people you love.
