After a difficult week last week – besides feeling exhausted while keeping up with a hectic pace daily and in the face of one particular disappointment, this week, I am very grateful to have landed two new clients and I feel a lot more positive.
Do you bend over backwards for your clients to have your efforts overlooked? I go to the end of the earth to make sure my clients are happy, but as in any relationship, our efforts as entrepreneurs are not always recognised or appreciated.
As entrepreneurs, we have to constantly find ways to renew ourselves, keep up our energy and engage with our clients, while still delivering quality work which keeps our clients satisfied. It is a lot to balance with our own physical, mental and emotional needs. How can we do this successfully? Here are a couple of things that I try to do. I am a work in progress so none of it is perfect, but I keep trying.
1) The Right Mindset
How do we maintain the right mindset? Connect with other like-minded professionals either through checking in with a coach or other colleagues in your field from time to time. Attending industry events and being a part of business and health (spiritual, physical and mental) groups online or in person is a really good way to connect with people who understand the challenges unique to your industry and who are also balancing life’s challenges.
2) Remain Positive
Even in the face of challenges, which we continually face, know that there is a bigger picture and even if we can’t see it at the time, thinking about what is possible tricks the brain into finding solutions to problems which can seem insurmountable at the time.
3) Be persistent
The rewards that come from persistence, having a work plan and sticking to it, regardless of the current circumstances, make it possible to keep going during the challenging times.
4) Take breaks and holidays
Whatever the form – away from your regular routine. Critical to refreshing oneself, is scheduling time off. This allows your energy and creativity to be renewed and will enable you to pick back up and continue doing what you love with renewed vigour.
5) Gratitude for your support system
This is an especially important practice in maintaining a positive mindset. ‘No man is an island’ rings true here. Stay socially connected as this is even more important during challenging times. If you can recognise everything in your life that is going well, it makes room for more good things to happen.
6) Staycation activities are key
In Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, we are surrounded by natural beauty. Participate in local tourism activities. Be creative – learn a new recipe, colour, draw, dance, spend time in nature, pray, meditate, hug those in your household. Tap into what makes you happy.
7) Structure the work day and officially sign off once the work day has ended
This means intentionally having a start and end time. For those who work from home, separating work time from personal or family time is not easy. This can be challenging for some because it is easy to switch into work mode as an idea jumps into your head, since you may want to act on it immediately. Use a note-taking app to record ideas before they are lost. Without boundaries, you risk spending less time on social and family activities or just much needed rest time.
8) Sleep
Everybody needs it, albeit in different amounts. Figure out how many hours of sleep you need and consistently try to get quality sleep every night. Work on getting sufficient sleep.
What are your go-to activities to create and maintain work-life balance? Share them in the comments.