10 replies
One of the problems is see time and time again from many people is that they don't know how to switch off and relax. They feel that because that they run a business they must spend every waking moment working on that business.

When I first start my business I was exactly the same. I would spend every moment working to try and get the business to be successful. I would work on it after I came home from my day job, often staying up to the wee hours trying to do things. I would also spend weekend doing other things with the business.

I know that when starting a business you need to put the time and effort in to making it work properly, however, you cannot allow it to dominate your life. I saw a break down in my relationship, and I become very stressed, tired and cranky.

As I was working late every night and not switching off before I went to bed I would often have trouble getting to sleep. When I did sleep I found that I was dreaming of something business related. You can imagine that those dreams are not very relaxing either.

After about 9 months I was a wreck. I had worked nearly every day and never thought about anything else but the business. Another problem was the business was doing any good due to fact that I could keep focused on it any more. I decided that I had to change something.

The first thing was I set time limits on my work. I would get up early 6:30 and work through to 7:45. After that I had to prepare for my other job. The getting up early was great as it allowed me to have a better focus on my work than working at 11pm.

I also set a limit for the amount of time of an afternoon when I would work. I try not to work past 6pm. I will try to finish early if I can. I will at times work a bit later, but only if it is really required.

This has allowed me to have time for myself. I can have the morning working without interruptions and then the evening with my fiancé. Plus I can now relax for a few hours before going to bed, which means I can sleep better. However that was not the only limits I put on my time.

I also decided that I would no longer work on weekends unless it was a matter of urgency. Not only was I running an online business and working full time, I was also cleaning windows of a Saturday morning. Then I was coming home to work on the online business.

That has all stopped and I no longer work on the weekend. My weekends are now mine and I can do whatever I want. I am prepared to work hard through the week and get up early as long as I can sleep in and relax on the weekend.

Has this helped my business? Yes. Because of time limits I now have a pressure to n finish everything by a certain time. Before I would just let it drag on. I am more focused and prepared to work because it's not stressful or a burden anymore. All of this plus feeling relaxed has allowed me to improve my work and communicate with my clients better. It's a win win all around.

So if you are feeling stressed, you need to set limits on your time. You will be more successful in the long run if you can take time away from your business. It can be hard to let go, but you will feel better in the long run. Believe in yourself, your abilities and your business and it will work out for you.

Just ask yourself this question, why are you running your own business? Is it for the stress or the lifestyle you hope to gain? If you're in it for the lifestyle, then start living it now. Don't let another moment go by. Relax, smell the flowers and enjoy life.
#relax #time
  • Profile picture of the author Mili_D
    Hi drwhogoesthere I totally agree with my friend I think people get carried away when they first start their own business and for get to relax. When I first started out it was hard and majority of the time, I would just sitting in front of my computer working till late. But I think it came to appoint were I was saying to myself "what am I doing!" That's when I had to invent my own routine!
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Lim
    That's great advice mate!

    For most people I would guess that the reason why they got into this game is so they don't have to work all day and all night...so they can enjoy the benefits of financial freedom. But most get stuck in the trap and work in their business for ages...we all go through that.

    There needs to be a solid balance between working smart, and enjoying the freedom that your business provides as well.

    Simon
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    • Profile picture of the author drwhogoesthere
      Originally Posted by Simon Lim View Post

      That's great advice mate!

      For most people I would guess that the reason why they got into this game is so they don't have to work all day and all night...so they can enjoy the benefits of financial freedom. But most get stuck in the trap and work in their business for ages...we all go through that.

      There needs to be a solid balance between working smart, and enjoying the freedom that your business provides as well.

      Simon
      Yes I agree. I see so many people working their butts off, and not enjoying life.

      I know that they want to create extra wealth in their lives, but you do have to balance everything up.

      I'm glad to see you have found a good balance.
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  • Profile picture of the author AdiPurush
    I also agree with you. I always see peple who have enough money but still working too much and all time in stress. We make money to get a cool stress free life but forget when we actually make enough money to live a good life.
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  • Profile picture of the author oggobis
    Concur mate... Funny, I just thought I had toooo much right now. My head feel so heavy. Indicating I need some rest. Haha...

    But, as my experience just not doing anything won't help much. I'm thinking rest in the middle of green environment, with trees, wide-far reach of view (like in the mountain) would be better. Or cycling around, with sky as the roof. Or meditating. Take a rest of my mind. It would give me bring back my energy. Good life is about balance.

    Haha... I'm talking what I want to do
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  • Profile picture of the author Ruth P
    Originally Posted by drwhogoesthere View Post

    Has this helped my business? Yes. Because of time limits I now have a pressure to n finish everything by a certain time. Before I would just let it drag on. I am more focused and prepared to work because it's not stressful or a burden anymore.
    This is the absolute key, something I have come to realise too. I read an article about finishing your work by lunch. On the surface, it seems crazy! How can you only work mornings?! But when you think about it, it does make some sense (though we may need to work a little in afternoons)

    I tried this strategy for a week and it was amazing! I worked *so* hard just before lunch, because I knew that after lunch I would be finished. My productivity increased dramatically. Then, in the afternoons, I let myself be creative - write for fun rather than for business, something that having my own business and being on the computer all day can kill sometimes.

    Learning to take time off from your business to relax is all part of the learning curve of being self employed. I don't only work til lunch everyday, but I do have a fixed work day (around 9-6) that works for me. Thanks for this post - it's something a lot of people could use.

    ~Ruth
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    • Profile picture of the author drwhogoesthere
      Originally Posted by Ruth P View Post

      I tried this strategy for a week and it was amazing! I worked *so* hard just before lunch, because I knew that after lunch I would be finished. My productivity increased dramatically. Then, in the afternoons, I let myself be creative - write for fun rather than for business, something that having my own business and being on the computer all day can kill sometimes.
      ~Ruth
      I was once told that there is a thing called good stress. This is where you feel pressure to work. Time limits great pressure.

      It does take strenght of will however. Some people may set time limits and then break them anyway. As long as you stick to what you have set out you will be a lot happier.
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      • Profile picture of the author davidjames42973
        Great post everybody! I can totally relate to this. This is something that I always have problems with. On the weekdays, I think I spent about 10-12 hours on the computer working on stuff. Anytime I turn off the computer and watch TV with my wife, I get antsy and think about the stuff that needs to be done. Even when I sleep, I usually think about online marketing.

        I hired somebody full time to eliminate the load of work that I have, but I still find myself on the computer a lot.

        I've been striving to turn the computer off a little earlier at night and attempting to watch movies and play video games without me thinking about online stuff.

        Lately I've been trying harder to go out and meet other online marketers to get outside of my bubble.
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        • Profile picture of the author drwhogoesthere
          Originally Posted by davidjames42973 View Post

          Great post everybody! I can totally relate to this. This is something that I always have problems with. On the weekdays, I think I spent about 10-12 hours on the computer working on stuff. Anytime I turn off the computer and watch TV with my wife, I get antsy and think about the stuff that needs to be done. Even when I sleep, I usually think about online marketing.

          I hired somebody full time to eliminate the load of work that I have, but I still find myself on the computer a lot.

          I've been striving to turn the computer off a little earlier at night and attempting to watch movies and play video games without me thinking about online stuff.

          Lately I've been trying harder to go out and meet other online marketers to get outside of my bubble.
          I know how you feel about being on the computer. I use to spend a lot of time looking at mine and very quickly the day goes past.

          Now I make sure I stick to my limits. Some times I feel guilty because I could be working when I am having my time off. However, I keep reminding myself that I need to relax and enjoy life as well.

          I like tha fact that you are out meeting people that are involved in IM. I think having a good support and social network is very important.

          I'm a member of Rotary and the weekly meeting are very fun, interesting and infortmative. Not only that it is a great place to build a network if you are doing off line marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author f4ll3rs
    I think it's because money is so addictive. It's a good advice though. Thank you so much for this
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  • Profile picture of the author Tonio Smith
    I set aside time each day
    to have fun without it I
    would go crazy. Although
    I wouldn't see it as being
    crazy I love being obsessed
    about my work.
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