As a small business owner, it is so easy to become overwhelmed. Unless you check the stress and overwhelm at the door, you can carry it around with you, causing the energy to seep into the rest of your business.
If you are a core component of your business then your energy affects every aspect of the business directly. Entrepreneurs have to be even more circumspect about their energy when they work from home because there is a vague, invisible line between personal life and family life. It is extremely easy for energy from either to seep into the other, so when the home energy is low, it can affect business too.
Ideally, as a small business owner working from home, you should strive to create balance. By creating personal balance, you will find that it spans across your home life and your business life, too. Chaos cannot coexist with balance, and so long as there’s calm, you will find it easier to reach your goals and desired outcomes.
1. Creating Balance in Your Life and Small Business
Here are some ways in which you can create balance in your life and business:
Take Care of #1 First
I don’t need to tell you the importance of diet and exercise and how it benefits body, mind and spirit. Eating right will keep you focused and energized in order for you to perform at your best. It will also keep you healthy. You are your company’s most important employee – expect the most from her!
Set time apart for exercise and meditation, even if it is only a couple of times every week. There’s an old Zen Proverb that comes to mind: “If you don’t have time to meditate for 15 minutes, then you need to meditate for an hour.”
Remember Your Motivations
Why did you decide to start your own business? By remembering your reasons, your goals will be at the forefront of your mind at all times. This will keep you motivated and give you the driving force you need during times of expansion.
Go With The Flow
Create a coping mechanism to help you through busy and stressful times, both of which are common in any business, job, or career. Heck, all of life has ups and downs!
Learning to handle the busy times, the good times, and the stressful times in the same good spirit, will keep your emotions on an even keel. After all, you can’t be stressed and solution minded all at the same time.
Celebrate Small Victories
Imagine what your perfect boss would be like and then BE it! Everyone likes to be acknowledged and recognized for achievements, as it keeps us motivated and inspired.
The beauty of being your own boss is that you know you better than anyone else, and therefore you can tailor bonuses and incentives to your personal tastes. Whether chocolate, beach walks, spa days, new wardrobes or gadgets motivate you, be as creative as you wish and set goals for yourself. Be sure to be prompt in dispensing the incentives as soon as you achieve the goals.
2. Gratitude in Your Small Business
When you get busy, or when you’re dealing with complications, it may be hard to look for the positive in a situation. However, there is something positive in every situation, and handling it with gratitude can have a magical impact on your mood and your business. It is also an important ingredient in every relationship – business or personal.
Here are some ways in which you can constantly practice gratitude in your business:
Thank Your Family, Suppliers and Customers
Without them, it would’ve been much harder to do what you do everyday. Public forums are great for expressing your gratitude, as it shows just how much you care for them and how much you appreciate them.
Return the Favor
Has a contact gone out of his or her way to help you with something or to introduce you to an influencer? Did your husband help out in the home so that you could put in a few extra hours to meet that deadline? Show your gratitude by returning the favor. Be sure you do something that is of value for them, even if it doesn’t benefit you in the process.
Thank Yourself
You work hard every day to push your business to the next level. You probably sacrifice on some levels. Thank yourself for your determination and strength. Thank the Universe for the opportunity that you have to pursue your business and for the talents and wisdom you have to be able to succeed at it.
When you become grateful for what you have, and you maintain balance in your personal, business and home life, you will start to see ideas flowing into your experience. You will feel motivated, and mentally and emotionally energized and creatively stimulated. Gratitude and balance will take your business to the next level.