In the lives of pretty much all business owners at some point, there are days when you just don’t feel like it.
Depending on who you are and the business you’re in, that day might be BAS day, new business calls day, preparing for a presentation, writing a document or dealing with staff issues. Or it might be the day when everyone else is having a doona day and, whilst you’d kill for one of those, you’ve too much to do so you’re keeping on, keeping on.
Despite what you might have heard about owning your own business, if we’re really honest, there are few of us that love every single part (or moment) of our business.
For those of you who are thinking about it, but haven’t yet started a business – I can hear you say “but surely, it’s your business, you can do what you want, when you want to do it – if you want a day off, just take one.” For those of us in business, we know that, for the most part, the ‘work when you want to’ myth, is just that – a myth.
And so, regardless of how much you love your business, there’s likely to be the odd occasional day when you’d just rather not. Certainly, as the boss/owner, you’ve the option of doing something else for the day, but if you’ve already got pressing issues, ignoring it won’t make tomorrow easier.
So How Do You Get Through One of ‘Those’ Days?
1. Start with something easy:
Ask yourself, what can you do, that needs to be done, but that doesn’t require you to be on the top of your game instantly? Start there. If that’s writing a list of what needs to be done fine, but focus on writing the list, not the 10 gazillion things on it. Regardless of the ‘trend’ to be a multi-tasker, your brain really can only focus on one thing at a time without significant productivity loss.
2. Drink Some Water:
A cliched suggestion maybe – but most of us drink too much coffee/tea and not enough water. Do that often enough and you’ll be dehydrated (and overcaffinated). And a dehydrated brain is less likely to stretch in the direction you want it to go in.
3. Eat a Banana:
Well known for their brain power care of high potassium and magnesium levels, bananas also contain significant amounts of tryptophan and tyrosine which boast mood boosting benefits.
4. Turn Off Your Email:
As in close it down (social media too). Once you’re actually beginning to get on a roll, you don’t want to get distracted. Set yourself two periods during the day (just for today – although that’s a useful habit everyday) when you’ll check it – and only for 10 minutes at a time.
5. Do Just a Little At a Time:
Let’s face it, some jobs just look overwhelmingly large (and others just feel like that). So when you start doing the task you’re not all that thrilled by, start by setting yourself 10 minutes of it. Actually do it, don’t plan to do it, just start – for 10 solid minutes (timed using a timer). Anyone can do just 10 minutes of almost anything. When the buzzer rings – stop. Have some water. Then a stretch. Then do another 15 minutes (timed again). Stop. Drink more water and have a 5 minute break (timed). Go to the bathroom, water your pot plant, order lunch – whatever – don’t check facebook or email. Then go back to it. This time for 20 minutes. Repeat until you get to 40 minutes at a stretch (or you get through the job). Time each bracket, stop, drink water and stretch between each set.
6. Reward Yourself:
If you can, leave early and do something you really like doing. You’ve earned it.
7. Outsource:
Organise for the next time to outsource the thing that you truly don’t feel like doing to someone who loves doing it if at all possible. You’ll dread those days when ‘it’ rolls around less and be able to do more of the things you like. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to have a day when you pull the doona over your head too.
In my and many of the business owners I’ve worked with’s experience, the key to success (whatever that means to you) appears to be to just keep on going. Someone once said the path to success is easy. Take a single step in the direction of your dreams and repeat as necessary until you get there.
I’d love it if you followed me on twitter or you can connect with me via linkedin. And please feel free to share what’s worked for you when you’ve had one of those days.
If we can help you keep your focus on what matters in your business, call us on +61 2 9994 8000 or visit us www.serviced.com.au
