Ever feel overwhelmed? You’re not alone. It’s all too easy to feel consumed by your business, especially when you’re just starting out but also when you’re well established. If the business is the first thing you think of when you wake up and stays on your mind until the moment you go to bed, it’s high time you make some healthy changes and design a better life balance away from burnout. I call this life hygiene.
You wouldn’t visit the bathroom without washing your hands would you? Well, in a similar way, you can create some strategies for stress levels, that will allow you to leave the work day firmly behind you. These need to become habitual – just like washing your hands.
Remember, it’s only when we’re still or when we’re doing something totally unrelated to the problem at hand, that inspiration can find us. Just like our bodies, our minds are also in need of a regular cleanse, and this is often when ideas flourish.
Here is a daily strategy to keep you from burning out:
1. Routine is critical.
Design your days with breaks in them and make sure not only that you observe them, but your team (if you have one) respects them, too.
2. Establish a “finish” line after work.
This can be a 15-minute time frame or longer, if you commute. At the end of the workday, give yourself a few minutes to focus on mentally processing the business day. This focus time, away from the desk, reveals clarity and is good for problem solving. After 10-15 minutes, it’s time to switch gear.
3. Pack away the workday quite consciously
Start to think about your personal life and plan for that. Look forward to it. Aim to “arrive home” present and not burdened by any baggage from your workday, you’ve already dealt with that thank you.
4. Before work the next day reverse the order.
Firstly, start off by thinking about your personal life again for 10 to 15 minutes, then at the halfway point, switch into work mode and start planning your day.
This routine helps interrupt the pattern of taking work stress home and bringing home stress to work and is a healthy way to maintain balance and positivity. It takes 21 days to form a habit, try to make it into one.
The key is to prioritise your down time, it’s an important investment in your “on” time. No excuses. Grow your business positively, healthily and ENJOY the process.
Think about who you want to be and how you want to feel when you walk through the door, whether it’s the door to work or the door to home.
Neroli Jones, CEO, Paradigm Switch
