Bouncing Back
August 31, 2010
By Cat Matson, Alito
I asked a group of managers today how they would describe ‘resilience’. Their respose was ‘how you bounce back’. We then proceeded to have a conversation about maintaining one’s resilience in times of change and stress.
I know from my own experiences of the last few years, resilience can be a resource that slowly wears down. I don’t ‘bounce-back’ as easily as I did 5 years ago, and the conversation got me wondering about we, as Business Leaders and busy women increase our bounce-back-ability.
Rest
For me, a key part of my diminishing ‘elasticity’ is in large part attributed to my new parenting role. My eldest turned five last month, my second and youngest is two and a half. There is rarely a night where I’m not interrupted at least once by at least one of them. The interruptions are short and easily dealt with now, but long gone are the days of a solid eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
I’m also guilty of working late into the evening, largely because I want to and I find that I’m quite productive when I do. However this has a knock-on effect in terms of sleep. Late to bed, interrupted and still early-up to meet the day’s commitments. There’s no doubt more sleep would make the world of difference.
In addition to the sleep is of course just ‘down-time’. I know I’m not alone that as working parents (this is no longer a women-only issue) we are always ‘on’ and there is little opportunity for our own rest and rejuvenation. That of course impacts our resilience resources.
Network
Another contributor to our resilience I think is our ability to bounce ideas and share a common reality. Being a business owner can be lonely at times and there are often few people we can ‘unload’ to. This means thoughts, emotions and frustrations are often bottled up or, if you’re like me, continue in a monotous loop of random internal dialogue. If you’re going through a challenging time, this internal dialogue can have a very slow yet profound impact on your state of mind and therefore your resilience. I noticed in the group I was working with today, the very fact they came from the same organisation and had together experienced rapid change at least normalised their feelings, they were all a bit ‘battered and bruised’ but their resilience was as affected as people who go through such experiences on their own.
Physicality
We know the importance of diet, exercise and personal health and well-being. Nothing more needs to be said. Except that it is important for reasons other than our physical health. Our mental health is dramatically affected too. I know my resilience drops when my exercise drops so finding any time for exercise is important.
They’re my random ramblings about improving my own resilience, my mental notes-to-self about improving my ability to bounce-back. I’m therefore curious and keen to share – what do you do? What works for you?
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY CAT MATSON
- Asking the *Right* Questions to Get the *Right* Answers
- What Every Business Plan Should Have (But Most are Missing)
- Half-Time Address
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Cat Matson - Alito
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| Phone: | 07 3289 7055 |
| Email: | cat@alito.com.au |
| Website: | www.alito.com.au |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/catmatson |
| Facebook: | www.facebook.com/AlitoFusion |
| LinkedIn: | www.linkedin.com/in/CatMatson |
| Blog: | www.alito.com.au/blog |
| Member Profile: | See Cat’s Member Profile |
5 Super Foods for Super Business Women
August 20, 2010
By Catherine Pritchard, Radiance Heathcare Centre
Nutrition matters. It can be the difference between a busy day with energy or a busy day and just surviving. These five foods are packed with loads of nutrients and antioxidants that help to protect your body from disease and give you the energy you long for!
Quinoa
Pronounced (Keen-wa). This ancient grain was used by the Aztecs and is packed with lots of goodies making it a major super food. It’s a great carbohydrate that is gluten free, making it gentle on the digestive system. The fabulous thing about quinoa is that it also contains good quality protein (rare for a carbohydrate) and therefore makes it superior to rice! It comes in white, red or black and is cooked like cous cous. A very versatile grain, quinoa is suitable for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Chia seeds
Another complete protein source, chia seeds are the highest plant source of omega 3 essential fatty acids. It has a powerful antioxidant activity in the body where it works against free radicals which are damaging millions of our cells by the minute. It also provides us with nutritious dietary fibre that is easy to digest and absorb. Add to your water, salad or breakfast.
Salmon
This well known and favourite fish is a very good source of easy digestible proteins, fatty acids like Omega-3 Fatty acids, vitamin-D, vitamin-A, some members of the vitamin-B family and minerals such as Selenium, Zinc, Phosphorus, Calcium and Iron. The omega-3 present in salmon helps in promoting cardio vascular health by lowering the level of triglycerides and helps in reducing depression.
Broccoli
This green vegetable is a close relative of Cabbage and Cauliflower and is rich in both fibre and iron. Researchers have discovered that a nutrient present in broccoli called indole-3-carbinol may help to prevent cancer, particular cancers related to oestrogen imbalance. The presence of vitamin-C, sulphur and certain amino acids also make broccoli a very good detoxifier.
Blueberries
Blueberry holds the highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruits. It has also been proven to preserve vision and improve brain health. Its high fiber content, high anti oxidants and the ability to dissolve the ‘bad cholesterol’ make the blueberry an ideal dietary supplement to cure many heart diseases. Add fresh or frozen to your breakfast or into a protein shake for a quick hit of antioxidants.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY CATHERINE PRITCHARD
- Core Nutrient for the Busy Woman
- Counting sheep is over rated!
- Protect you (and your staff) this winter
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Catherine Pritchard - Radiance Healthcare CentreCatherine is a scientific naturopath who is experienced in working with business women to increase their energy, motivation and productivity. Her innovative programs are based on the latest research and incorporate simple dietary changes so that you can get the most out of each and every day. Prior to commencing her career as a naturopath almost 10 years ago, Catherine was an industrial chemist in an oil refinery. Her scientific background caused her to seek out the latest technology to assess your health, energy and vitality. In conjunction with a thorough assessment, these state of the art tests allow her to personally prescribe you the most suitable nutrients that will make the greatest impact on your health and wellbeing.
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The Business of Busyness
August 13, 2010
By Alycia Edgar, Coastal Accounting Services
How do you keep track of your projects and tasks? How do you get to the end of your day and make sure that you have accomplished your goals for the day? How do you make sure you haven’t been fluffing around being busy but not accomplishing anything? It’s so easy to get stuck in the business of busyness, doing those tasks that are ultimately not important.
Brian Tracey introduced us to the urgent vs important matrix.
From this matrix, you can see that our number 1 priorities should be urgent and important tasks. These are tasks that can have serious consequences if not completed.
Interruptions, emails and the like that appear to be pressing, although urgent, are not that important in driving your business forward as shown in Sector III in the matrix. This is the big busyness sector, when you can appear to be super busy but not really accomplish much. You know this sector, you’ve been there before. I know I have. How do we stop? Delegate.
Sector IV in the matrix relates to all those tasks that are neither urgent nor important, so you shouldn’t be doing them. Get rid of them all together. They are not helping you focus on your goals.
Sector II is not urgent but important. This is the area where business growth occurs and you make time to work on your business. This is where you can truly start to leverage your efforts. Time spent here has a tremendous impact on your business in the long term.
So what should be your focus? Definitely the urgent and important tasks as they have serious consequences attached if not completed. Then, you need to make sure you schedule time to work on the important but not urgent tasks. They drive the business forward and assist you in achieving your goals.
Anything that doesn’t fall into the above two areas should be deferred, delegated or dumped entirely. Rid yourself of the unnecessary tasks that do nothing to fulfill you or your business.
How can you do this? Brian Tracy suggests asking these questions regularly:
- What are my highest value activities? What are the things that contribute the greatest value to my work?
- What is the most valuable use of my time right now?
As a business owner who is constantly fighting the “busyness” disease, I have found the questions above and the matrix very useful in keeping me real and on track. I am fine-tuning my delegation skills, eliminating that unimportant stuff and focusing on the growth aspects of my business. Am I seeing the rewards from this focus? Absolutely!
So tell me what are you doing to keep focused on the important aspects of your business. Have you used any of the tools above? Or do you have other tools you have used to maintain that laser focus?
MORE GREAT POSTS BY ALYCIA EDGAR
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Alycia Edgar - Coastal Accounting Services
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| Phone: | 0403 983 529 |
| Email: | alycia@coastalaccounting.com.au |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/alyciaedgar |
| Blog: | www.numbersarelife.com |
| Member Profile: | See Alycia’s Member Profile |
My Favourite Brand
August 9, 2010
By Cheryl Hayman, Hayman Strategy
After many days of thinking; chewing it over; working it out with my hubby and kids; analysing the family’s favourites and their suggestions and views; reviewing my shelves (being a bit food-centric I determined to get past a few “famous” but obvious food brands); then sifting this way and that; I have finally decided that my favourite brand is Lexus.
Being a true marketer at heart and a great early adopter of new brands, products and packaging formats, I wanted to find that ‘certain brand’ that I’d loved for some time.
In the end, I realised that I had been weighing up a number of brand criteria in order to make my final judgment.
My brand had to deliver against the following:
1. A clear differentiated positioning
2. Truly lives up to its positioning in every way
3. Its positioning remains a competitive edge
4. The product delivers 100%
5. Every brand execution- either real or communicated – is flawlessly executed
6. The brand’s personality delivers something special and compelling to me
7. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought
So, Toyota’s Lexus brand won the day for me. My five-year relationship with Lexus has never been anything but loving.
And why? Well, there has never been any question that the customer is the centre of the Lexus brand’s world. Every aspect of the brand – product, service, communication – stays true to a positioning that delivers an unsurpassed standard of ‘indulgent care’ to me.
No other luxury car brand provides the level of service or the quality of included features and standards, in my eyes, to its customers. Lexus doesn’t stop with the big things, but makes the little things count. Whether it’s the Lexus Encore programme and its associated partnerships, or the lady who answers the phone when you book your service, every single interaction with the Lexus brand engages and refreshingly delivers against the brand proposition.
So in the end, maybe it is that it always delivers. In all ways, that sets it apart. Maybe it’s a highly charged emotional attachment on my part, or maybe (happily) it’s both. Many brands in many categories could certainly learn some lessons from the simplicity of Lexus’ clear positioning and make a concerted effort to deliver more than 100% at every chance in the way that this brand has always done for me.
MORE GREAT POSTS BY CHERYL HAYMAN
- Tips for Marketing to Small Business Owners
- Romancing the Services Industry – can you relate?
- The Power of Segmentation – have you considered it lately?
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Cheryl Hayman - Hayman Strategy
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| Phone: | 0408 200 545 or 02 9555 5776 |
| Website: | www.haymanstrategy.com |
| Email: | cheryl@haymanstrategy.com |
| Twitter: | www.twitter.com/cherylhayman |
| Facebook: | www.facebook.com/cheryl.hayman |
| LinkedIn: | |
| Member Profile: | See Cheryl’s Member Profile |
Preparing For the “Real World” of Working
August 6, 2010
By Laura Thomas, Intern at Australian Businesswomen’s Network
If you would have asked me a year ago where I would be during my summer break 2010 (Northern Hemisphere summer is June – September), there’s absolutely no way I would have answered ‘Australia’. I have been fortunate enough to participate in a ten-week international internship since June with the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.
I always knew I wanted to travel abroad in college, so I figured, ‘What better time than now?’ I am a senior business management/financial management major from the United States, and I will be graduating in December. Basically, it was now or never!
I have already reaped so many of the rewards from participating in an international internship (and I still have two weeks with the company). For starters, I am working at a smaller organization. As opposed to working at a larger corporation, the ABN gives me meaningful work that directly affects the company.
A few of the tasks I’ve participated in include:
- Proofreading and editing blog posts, eNewsletters and email announcements before they are sent to the ABN community.
- Learning and using the program Hootsuite, a website that manages social media. Through this website, I send ‘tweets’ to the ABN Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages.
- Leading the Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame update project. I researched contact details for the past 150 inductees, contacted those I could find and organised the information as they responded. This project gave me a chance to work with the other interns in a team setting.
The opportunity to strengthen my transitional skills is another huge advantage I’ve acquired from working at the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. In the not-so-far-away future, I will be out in the ‘real world’ looking for a job. The skills I’ve accommodated from this internship will be evident when glancing at my resume, especially if I get an interview!
Skills I have strengthened through the ABN include:
- Communication – written, verbal and nonverbal
- Leadership
- Office
- Planning/Time Management
- Technological/Social Networking
Every year, the ABN takes in international interns from the United States and Hong Kong. Li Lilly Kar Wan (Lilly) was one of five interns at the ABN during summer break 2010. Lilly is a recently graduated marketing major from Hong Kong, who decided to conduct an internship in Australia before starting a graduate program in the UK.
When I asked Lilly if she has been enjoying her internship at the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, she replied:
“Spending my two months this year being an intern at the ABN is absolutely one of the most memorable moments in my life. The internship has always been rewarding and fruitful, as it has enriched my mind and broadened my horizons. Above all, I get to experience a very different working culture as I am from Hong Kong.
My job tasks in the ABN are diverse and varied. From every single one of them, I can immerse myself into different roles, while learning different skills and techniques to help build my future career path. I treasure these learning opportunities a lot, and hopefully they will be the bridge that transforms me from a student to a professional.
People at the ABN are truly nice and helpful. The atmosphere is always relaxing and enjoyable. This adds up to make the whole internship more joyous and memorable for me. All in all, I really love this country, this company and everybody I have met during this trip!”
I fully agree with Lilly, so a big THANK YOU goes out to the Australian Businesswomen’s Network for taking me in and helping me grow.
Pre-Election Results Reveal the Issues Women Want Government to Act on
August 2, 2010
By Amy Lyden
Thank you to those who participated in the Australian Businesswomen’s Network pre-election poll.
We have analysed the results and written to all major political parties so that we can hear how they respond to issues that are important to YOU.
Below is a list of the top issues you identified, as well as a link to a copy of the letter we have sent to the major parties.
You will see the top issues are:
• Government support for small business including training,
• reducing red tape and compliance issues,
• gender imbalance on boards and
• cost and flexibility of childcare.
There were also two running themes in the open ended questions you answered:
1. Reduction of tax for small business – income and payroll, and
2. Climate change – incentives offered for small business and concerns over reducing our carbon footprint.
Many of you commented that many of these issues that are important to you haven’t been addressed by any of the parties or their policies aren’t clear.
We will notify you as soon as we have heard back from the parties so that you can make a better informed choice at the polls on the 21st of August.
Link to letter sent to Political Parties
Will keep you posted…
Amy Lyden
Advocacy Ambassador
P.S. Many of you took time to provide additional comments and reasons. Thank you for your passion. We will post some of these additional thoughts in the coming days.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Paid Parental Leave – Article: Maybe Baby: Juggling Home, Work and Family Life.
- Tony Abbott vs Craig Emerson – Live from COSBOA’s National Small Business Summit, 8 July
- Paid Parental Leave Scheme Gets the Go-Ahead
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Amy Lyden - Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs”, by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!”, by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Get Positive: 5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Thinking
July 26, 2010
By Nerida Gill, Admin Bandit
It’s a new financial year. The first buds of spring are with us, so I’m ready to wake from winter’s coma and leap into the warm, new season. And what better way to start than to re-evaluate my thinking, to sweep away the cobwebs of old habits and embrace a more positive outlook.
Not that I want to see the world through unrealistic rose-coloured glasses, it’s just that I know positive people are healthier, more confident, live longer and get more done.
So here’s my five-step plan to boost the ole’ attitude….
"I Want Love" by Pakorn Rattanasuteeranon
Say “No” to Bad News
I feel duped. Somewhere along the line, someone decided knowing about all the crime, death and disaster in the world makes us “well-informed”. Well, I’ve got news for you — the media feeds us gruesome stories because they sell. That’s right, news is a business. Gore is strangely tantalising, and the more we tune in, the more money the media can charge advertisers. So tune out; say “no” to bad news and fill your mind with uplifting stuff instead.
Get It In Perspective
It’s easy to dwell on worries and mistakes, so much so that we blow them out of proportion. Get things in perspective by asking yourself a series of questions:
- Will it matter next week?
- Will it matter next year?
- Will it matter in 20 years?
- Will it matter at the end of my life?
Your answers will help you see the problem as it really is and deal with it effectively.
Superwoman is a Fictional Character
She’s has 2.1 children, yet, looks hot in a bikini. Her career has shattered the glass ceiling, and the house is spotless. She can wear white (even when the kids are teething) and she’s eating spaghetti.
Meet superwoman. Don’t you want to be like her? Don’t you secretly hate her?
Thank goodness she only exists in comics strips, movies and advertisements. That’s right, she’s a fictional character!
So stop putting pressure on yourself, and tell that critical inner voice to shut-up. Remember that you have value … simply because you exist. And nothing you can do or say can change the truth that you are special.
Yes, people are imperfect and make mistakes. But it’s through these things that we grow and experience fully what it means to be human.
Perk Yourself Up
Is life getting you down? Here are a few practical ideas to cheer you up:
- Write a list of everything you love, from the way the dog waggles its tail when you walk through the door to how beach sands feels under your feet.
- Hang out with positive people — it’s contagious.
- Question your thinking. What are the alternatives to the way you’re seeing or responding to an issue?
- Smile at or compliment people as much as possible today. The joy of giving will surprise you.
- Talk to a counsellor if past experiences are troubling you. Sometimes, the act of telling your life story out loud is enough for healing.
Down is Not a Dirty Word
Finally, it’s okay to feel down sometimes. As King Solomon said (and The Byrds paraphrased), “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”. The fact is that you simply would not be a flesh-and-blood person if you didn’t experience the full gamut of human emotions.
The point is not what you feel, but how you deal with it. Remember that you have a choice. If the so-called “negative” emotions are lingering far too long, develop a plan, talk to someone you trust or see a doctor.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY NERIDA GILL
- Feed Your Business: 4 Delicious Lessons from Tuscan Food
- Work Smarter, Not Harder: How to Achieve Balance
- 4 Tips for Better Email
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Nerida Gill - Admin BanditNerida Gill is the creator of Admin Bandit, a web-based accounting package designed specifically to make keeping the books easy for volunteer treasurers in community groups. After winning numerous business awards, Admin Bandit is in a growth phase after recently attracting external investment.
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Paid Parental Leave – Article: Maybe Baby: Juggling Home, Work and Family Life.
July 23, 2010
By Amy Lyden
Having had my first child at nearly 40, after a rather full business life, I agree with Maureen Frank’s position in this article Maybe Baby: Juggling Home, Work and Family Life.
I have found that it’s important to plan, especially around income and child care issues. And, there are things you just can’t and won’t know until your baby is born.
I sold my business when my son was 8 months old. After working hard for many years, I thought I would perhaps be a full-time mum, at least for awhile.
I realised after a year or so that I missed working, and that I get a lot of satisfaction from it. I am a better mother when I am fulfilled in that way. But everyone is different. And it is hard to have everything mapped out before you give birth. Things change. Everything changes really. So try to be open to these changes that you may not even know about now. And enjoy the ride.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Tony Abbott vs Craig Emerson – Live from COSBOA’s National Small Business Summit, 8 July
- Paid Parental Leave Scheme Gets the Go-Ahead
- The Beige Budget – The good and bad news from this week’s lacklustre Budget
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Amy Lyden - Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs”, by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!”, by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Core Nutrient for the Busy Woman
July 17, 2010
By Catherine Pritchard, Radiance Healthcare Centre
Every woman needs a little magnesium! This super mineral works in partnership with calcium and is often overlooked. Everyone worries about being calcium deficient, but magnesium is just as important. Magnesium is involved in 80% of reactions that make energy. No magnesium, no energy. Stress, alcohol, processed foods and modern life rapidly depletes your body of magnesium. Exercise and sweating also results in depleted magnesium levels. The ultimate expression of magnesium deficiency is muscle twitching, including those little eye ticks as well as muscle cramps (especially of the toes, calves and those screamers that can wake you up in the night). People who get migraines have been found to have low brain magnesium, so supplementation could be beneficial in these cases too.
Magnesium is found in lots of foods including dark green leafy vegetables, (the type that most don’t get enough of!), almonds and bananas. Our lifestyles can often require us to have more magnesium than we get through our diet. If you have tight muscles, get cramps, are stressed or have poor energy, then magnesium supplementation could make a difference to you. Magnesium doesn’t occur by itself. It occurs bound to another molecule that affects the absorption of magnesium in your body. One of the best types of magnesium to go for is magnesium diglycinate in the range of 300-600mg of elemental magnesium.
Next time you are feeling a little low in energy, don’t reach for the coffee, reach for a hit of magnesium and feel the difference!
MORE GREAT POSTS FROM CATHERINE PRITCHARD:
- Counting sheep is over rated!
- Protect you (and your staff) this winter
- Boost your brain power and revitalise your memory
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Catherine Pritchard - Radiance Healthcare CentreCatherine is a scientific naturopath who is experienced in working with business women to increase their energy, motivation and productivity. Her innovative programs are based on the latest research and incorporate simple dietary changes so that you can get the most out of each and every day. Prior to commencing her career as a naturopath almost 10 years ago, Catherine was an industrial chemist in an oil refinery. Her scientific background caused her to seek out the latest technology to assess your health, energy and vitality. In conjunction with a thorough assessment, these state of the art tests allow her to personally prescribe you the most suitable nutrients that will make the greatest impact on your health and wellbeing.
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Work Smarter, Not Harder: How to Achieve Balance
July 6, 2010
By Nerida Gill, Admin Bandit
Small business owners are suckers for punishment … at least that’s what I’ve decided after reading a few statistics on the ABS website.
Did you know that almost half of us work at least an extra day a week more than “regular” people? In fact, a crazy 20% cram up to two weeks worth or work into just one tiny week.
That’s serious double duty and, to be honest, I’m as guilty as the next person.
Photo: Tim Ellis Photography
The problem is, like the majority of small business owners in Australia, I don’t directly employ staff, which means there’s no one to share the workload — put simply, if there’s a job to do, I’m the only one. Plus, almost 7 in 10 of us run our businesses from home, which means our work is always on hand. I don’t know about you, but I’m often at my computer well after 11pm.
This year, however, after having time and space to reflect on a few things during my recent holiday, one of my goals is to seek balance. I know I can’t survive long-term in overdrive mode, so I’ve been looking for smarter ways to keep growing my business while taking better care of myself.
Manage Your Time
Being busy doesn’t always mean you’re achieving anything. In fact, sometimes it’s simply a sign that you need better time management skills. What can you do to get your daily tasks done in less time?
- Write a “to-do” list everyday and prioritise the most important items. It’s okay if you don’t get them all done. Realistically, you can do no more than five significant things each day.
- According to Pareto’s Principle, 80% of results come from just 20% of your effort; so determine what you really need to do and forget the extraneous stuff.
- Beat procrastination. As Angela Booth says in Better Time Management in 21 Days, no task is so onerous that you can’t do it for just 20 minutes. It’s amazing how much you can achieve in short blocks.
- Play to your strengths. Delegate the tasks that can be done by other people (dare I say it, perhaps more efficiently than you).
Get Organised
Studies show being organised saves you up to an hour a day. What’s more, it promotes creativity and helps keep stress at bay, so why not try one of these this week:
- Spring clean your office. You’ll see huge results from even 10 minutes a day.
- Get a big wall calendar (the kind that allows you to see the whole year at a glance), and use it to mark important dates, set deadlines and make goals.
- Schedule a regular time to do your accounts, and reward yourself when you keep it.
Keep Work and Home Separate
When you run a business from home, the lines between work and leisure blur all too easily and you run the risk of working too hard or not hard enough. Find your equilibrium by creating physical and psychological boundaries.
- Dress every day as if you are going to a meeting. Track pants and pyjamas may be comfy, but they’ll make you feel unprofessional and unmotivated.
- Don’t share your workspace and equipment. Have a desk, computer, email address and phone line that are only used for work.
- Turn your computer and mobile phone off at a set time each day so you won’t be tempted to answer just one more email or call.
MORE GREAT POSTS BY NERIDA GILL
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Nerida Gill - Admin BanditNerida Gill is the creator of Admin Bandit, a web-based accounting package designed specifically to make keeping the books easy for volunteer treasurers in community groups. After winning numerous business awards, Admin Bandit is in a growth phase after recently attracting external investment.
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