new year

Start As You Mean To Go On - New Year Pep Talk For Small Business Owners!

Digibloom new year pep talk for small business owners

Here's my personal small business new year's mantra: "ASBO".
Thankfully nowt to do with an anti-social behaviour order.

Achieve more with planning
Stay healthy by switching off
Be more productive with time
Organise like a fiend.

Here are some more of my tips for starting 2017 as you mean to go on:

  1. Plan a (healthy) daily routine
    Plan your days in advance, ensuring to begin in the morning as you mean for the day to go on. Get up and dressed, have breakfast, prepare for the working day as if you are going to work (because you are, even if it's in your home!)

    Have regular breaks, perhaps pop out for lunch to get some sunshine. End the working day at a reasonable time, switch your computer off and clear your workspace ready for the following day. Maybe even prepare meals one day for the rest of the week. Planning can help your productivity sooooaaaarrr!
  2. Create an inspiring workspace
    Whether you work from home, an office, studio, library or cafe, try to create a working sanctuary. If you are easily distracted by other people in the room, invest in noise-cancelling headphones. If you waste time searching for your tools, have them organised in a storage system.

    Have your computer-based work organised into a filing system, not a bunch of files scattered all over your desktop. Guilty! Surround yourself with inspiring imagery such as artwork and photos. If you work from home, try to use a separate area from where you sleep and eat. Keep your space tidy and inviting so that you feel like working.
  3. Know when to unplug
    As a small business owner, it's so easy to fall into working long hours as there is always so much to do, it never stops! However - you need to protect your health and wellbeing by finding your work/life balance.

    If you rarely unwind, your spring will be so wound up that you pop! Please don't pop. Take the breaks you deserve, get outside and away from your screen, and when you unplug, really unplug! Don't think about or talk about work until the next day. Easier said than done, I know! But I have personally experienced ill health in the past due to always being 'switched on', and it can negatively impact your business. Not worth it.
  4. Socialise
    Talk to like-minded thinkers, whether going for a coffee, chatting on the phone, or meeting for an exhibition. Inspirational people, discussions, and places will surely aid ideas and motivation. Sometimes you can't just rely on the cat. I said sometimes!

    Do you have any tips towards a healthy and happy work/life balance?Share with us in the comments below!