When you get involved in running a startup, the excitement and forward momentum far outweigh any trepidation or anxieties. But gradually as time wears on they may start to creep in, and the temptation is to work harder. Before you know it you are working 60 hour weeks, having sleepless nights, and worries are at the forefront of your mind. And what if you have a family? Do they have to take a backseat while you are starting to build your company? What ways can you achieve a healthy work-life balance without resorting to bringing your family to the office so that you are spending “quality” time with them?
Know What Time Of Day You Work Best
People work differently, there’s no denying that. There are some of us that work so well in the morning and as soon as lunch hits, there is the need for a mid-afternoon nap. When running a business, you need to make sure you are doing your tasks to the best of your ability, so if you thrive in the morning, take on the more difficult tasks then.
Delegate Responsibilities To Other Employees
It is so tempting to try and oversee every aspect of the business, but wearing that many hats are almost impossible. So, give the right work to the right people, even if that means outsourcing your computer duties to an IT company. It can give your business a whole new dynamic of working, and it gives you less to do!
Relax!
There are many more stress triggers in business now. With devices such as tablets and smartphones affecting our ability to sleep, we all have difficulty in switching off at night. While some stress is good for us, long-term effects of stress can be very damaging to our health. Learning to understand your individual triggers is a key method of preventing stress-related illness.
Finding the right relaxation methods for you is something you need to make sure you are completely detached from your work life. Try meditation, playing with your family, or focusing on a task that is not work related, like a hobby you can get your teeth into. Sometimes taking a “mental holiday” is enough to recharge the batteries.
Leave The Laptop and Mobile Phone In Work
This may be the one to cause the most anxiety for some! If you feel that you can’t go one hour without checking your phone. Or you can’t resist opening your computer in bed at night; it may be a good thing to leave your work devices in work. Set up an answerphone message and out of office email. Try to leave your computer and phone in the office for one day a week.
Take A Holiday
The secret to a good business is that the business can survive without you being there. The only way to test this theory is if you are nowhere near the business for a period. Going away from the business after so long being at the helm may not feel good. But if you get away for a short time, coming back to it will give you a whole new perspective.
This article was provided by ellie jo