B2B with a Twist Publication - Work • Stay • Play October Edition Work Stay Play Winter 2018 Edition | Page 16

Tap into technology Step out Instead of driving to a meeting, use Skype or conferencing technologies like GoToMeeting. But remember to switch them off. Working for yourself can get lonely, so schedule some phone calls or coffee time with like-minded business owners to discuss ideas and offer each other support. Make exercise a must-do, not a should-do It’s easy to cancel the gym, the evening run or the yoga class because a client wants something done yesterday. Find the cash for a business coach. That way, you can find out sooner rather than later how to get rid of bad habits and implement good ones. Instead, ensure exercise is given as much priority as your clients and making money. A healthy body means a fresh mind, which means you will function better and complete tasks in less time. Meet clients halfway – literally Take time to make time Don’t always agree to meet a client at their office. Instead, meet halfway, perhaps at a café or restaurant. This will save you time and energy, not to mention money spent on travel. Invest in time-tracking tools. There are plenty of tools you can use to track everything from the frequency and duration of meetings, to chasing and converting leads. Manage your mind Time-tracking software allows you to quickly understanding of how long a particular task takes. build an That way, you can effectively estimate how long your next work task will take. Know and nurture your network Prioritise growing your network and have a structured lead/ conversion system in place so you can track the time/cost involved to grow your network. Set the benchmarks early on and learn the lessons early. 16 Get a business coach Do what you love Make time for something you love – other than work – and give it the time it deserves. It will energise and refresh you, and enable you to nurture the creative thought that is essential to every business owner. Be realistic At the end of each working day, perform a little self-analysis. Ask yourself what worked today, what didn’t, what went wrong and how the issue can be fixed. Remember there are thousands of businesses just like yours learning the same lessons every day. Don’t forget to tap into the valuable resources around you – your peers – for help. When fear or self-doubt or anxiety creeps in, do some work on your mental health such as meditation or reading a business book. Alternatively, spend time with someone who will lift you up and support you. Take a break Remember to take time out throughout your day. Some tasks are easier than others, so if you find yourself with an hour up your sleeve, be realistic about whether you can “afford” to rest or not. You might not have time every day to simply sit and “be”, but do your best to give yourself a lunch break. Also, make a point of getting up and stretching every 15 minutes. It will help you become clearer, more focused and more productive. Have that holiday Make time for a holiday and book in breaks, at least quarterly. Even a long weekend every quarter is better than nothing. But remember to advise your clients and customers as far in advance as possible. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/work-life-balance