Business owners are unique. They take control and take on challenges – but to succeed, they must remember to prioritize their life with the same gusto that they prioritize their business! Use these easy tips to take control of your business and your life, making work time more productive, and free time more restful with these carefully considered tips for business owners hoping to improve their lives.
1. Start with a plan
Consider creating SMART goals, to inform your path forward and keep you on track. SMART goals, or specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals, help you nail down the most important goals and how to achieve them quickly and easily. It’s important to use this planning stage to get buy-in from your business leaders and managers, to ensure that this plan is implemented and emphasized in all areas of the business.
2. Develop new and improved processes
One way business owners are streamlining their teamwork processes is by implementing an element of instructional design, where they get advice from the experts on how to train and teach employees in lasting and productive ways. This will dictate how you construct training, or roll out new products, so carefully consider how you can make your life easier and more productive.
3. Create metrics to measure progress
It’s easy to waste time and money if you aren’t using metrics to measure progress, success or failure. Take time to clearly define your work goals, and consider how you will know when you’ve achieved them. Some business owners are relying on technology to track things like shipping speed, which greatly affect customer satisfaction. Creating these metrics will certainly take the stress off, as well as support your business growth.
4. Build strong network
A strong network of smart and encouraging supporters will be there when your business needs help, or when your personal life feels out of control. Look for people who have the traits you emulate, and “fake it till you make it!” It’s also critical to support those in your network with the same fervour you expect from them. Taking the time to be there for a friend today, could make all the difference tomorrow.
5. Keep learning
Successful CEOs and leaders read an average of 4 to 5 books per month. It’s critical to keep learning, to keep your business and your life more manageable and rich. Read up on new data privacy regulations, and how that might affect your customers or current data storage policies. Some business owners are even taking classes in coding and website design, taking control of their digital footprint and enriching their lives.
6. Work smarter not harder
Work smarter and not harder, by taking control of all elements of your workspace. Many remote workers and office-workers alike, enjoy the privacy and focus provided with a pair of Wireless Earbuds at work. A great pair of wireless earbuds lets you tune out the static of the world, and jam out to your productivity play-list from your home, office or favorite coffee shop.
7. Make yourself approachable
Making yourself approachable is a fine line to walk for business owners, who need to maintain a level of separation from employees, while also creating an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable coming to them with issues or questions. Carefully consider your response to employee queries, or in stressful situations, to make sure that even the most tense moments end up with a productive result.
8. Regular communication
Get in touch with the grass-roots needs of your customers and staff, through regular communication. For example, if staff are having personal or work environment issues that are affecting productivity, this is something you need to know immediately! Create channels for easy communication between you and your staff and customers, to ensure and reduce stress in your personal and work life.
9. Mind your health
Overworked and overwhelmed leaders often make mistakes, miss things and aren’t as patient and organized as those who prioritize staying healthy. Reduce stress in your work-life by delegating tasks, communicating with your employees, and taking a more big-picture, leadership role that will allow you to de-stress and reduce daily feelings of depression or anxiety.
10. Manage your time better
Better managing your time will ensure that when you go home, your focus is on your family or health, and not the tasks you forgot to complete at work. It’s also important that you maintain a careful work/life balance, and schedule time to disconnect completely from work.
Long story short – when you focus on your health, your business prospers. Take some time today to think about how you can better equip yourself to be more present and relaxed at home, and more successful at work.
