How much time do you give yourself?
January 9, 2008 by ShannonCherry
Filed under Business
Yesterday, I talked about the new Staples survey, that said many small business owners are doing their creative thinking and problem solving while sleeping or showering. (Read more here.)
But the reason that people are doing it, is because of time – or lack thereof.
The survey also revealed that the majority of US small business owners and managers are also working overtime on their own time: 98 percent reported working during the nights, weekends and vacations.
So why are we working like this? According to the survey, 38 percent of small business owners can’t remember the last time they took a vacation, and nearly 54 percent expect to work even harder this year.
I’m not sure about you, but I make sure to give myself some time to myself every month.
Do you work too much on your off hours? Why? And how can you stop it?
One way to help manage this is to spend some work time thinking. Build the buffer to just sit and review your existing plan and pause.
Another thing that one can do is block out time in the evening for personal life. Manage it like can’t miss meetings and you will begin to have a pattern for your personal existence. Without this part of your life, what is the point of the rest?
I work a lot into what should be off hours but I do give myself time everyday. At least a walk in the morning to clear my head and hour or two of down time at night. I also schedule at least one day a month do something rejuvenating, like going to the day spa or an all day hike, on what would otherwise be a work day.
Many small business owners are just scared to leave their business for any length of time. They have so much invested they forget that they also need to spend time away. After all, why be in business if you cannot enjoy any time to yourself?
I also think Ali makes some good points also. I try to take a hour walk a day (except right now when their is lots of snow and ice). It is nice to have a hour to just relax and get away.