As entrepreneurs we are often overwhelmed with the day to day management of our business. It can be difficult to juggle the expectations of clients, family and for some of us, other work commitments. Perhaps you are still working full or part time while launching your business. Trying to find balance and live up to your own expectations is daunting. Today I remind you to take time to breathe and to take advantage of “stolen moments.”
Of course it is critically important to devote time and attention to your business and be fully committed to it while concurrently avoiding the dangers of multi-tasking. To be successful requires your full investment. The reality of life however, is that this is simply not always possible. So when it isn’t, take advantage of those stolen moments. Today for example, I write this blog from the “parents room” of the dance studio my daughter attends. It’s actually quite quiet. Yes I could have run errands and been flustered as I flew around town trying to accomplish groceries, banking and prescription pick up in my two hours of “free” time but instead I chose to grab a coffee, bring the laptop and sit and catch up on some of my writing. With two blogs, an article and a draft vision statement for a non-profit agency all due on the same day (poor planning I know!) this is the perfect use of two hours of “spare” time. I’m actually sitting still for starters, enjoying a hot cup of coffee while it’s still hot and getting work done. If you are still dividing at least some of your time between work elsewhere and self-employment, this kind of stolen moment is sometimes, the only way work gets done.
At a networking event recently, I sat with a group of women who shared their stories of managing business and family life. Universally, a common theme surfaced. That is, women continue to berate themselves for just about everything, even success. My mother had an expression for this “With enemies like you, who needs enemies!” Wise up Women! If we multitask we think we should be sole focused, if we have tunnel vision, we are “failing” at multitasking. We are told we must be 110% devoted to our business but don’t forget to build in downtime! Article after article says we need to find balance in our lives yet still others suggest we must eat, breathe and sleep our business or we will never achieve success. This mixed messaging is overwhelming, burdensome and unnecessary.
Today I suggest to you that whatever you are doing is okay, as long as it’s working for you. Your business, your success, matters most to whom? You, not anyone else, therefore it should not be subject to any other persons opinion of success. So take advantage of the stolen moments along the way, making them work for you in whatever way makes sense for you. However, I would also remind you that taking advantage of stolen moments must apply to both your personal and professional life. After all, balance is important. Like they say on the airplane, you have to put on your own oxygen mask first in order to help others. For me, that means while this week I work from the Dance Studio, perhaps during next weeks two hours of “down time” I will do something just for myself and without any guilt. When you are managing a small business, you MUST take advantage of these stolen moments, whether it’s to be productive or to give yourself permission to take a break so that you can be more productive in the future. So breathe and take advantage of the stolen moments, where ever and whenever they present themselves!
As Owner and Principal partner of “Writing Right For You” Sheralyn is a Communications Strategist – working together with entrepreneurs to maximize profit through effective use of the written word. Looking for web content that works, blog articles that engage or communications strategies that help you get noticed? Contact Sheralyn today. Sheralyn is also the mother of two children now entering the “terrible and terrific teens” and spends her free time volunteering for several non-profit organizations.
Sheralyn Roman B.A., B.Ed.
Writing Right For You
Communications Strategies that help you GET TO THE POINT!
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