Simply Business Coaching

When You're Really Busy - Stop!

It's early Monday morning and I've got a very busy week ahead - client appointments every day and, just to make things really interesting, a few project deadlines too.  Please understand that I'm not complaining, just setting the scene.

When I first saw was was in store for me in the diary, I thought the best plan would be to spend most of the weekend working to get ahead - but then realised what I really needed to do was take both days off!  Here's what led me to that conclusion:

• Whenever I work through the weekend, I feel shattered on Monday morning.  Not a good start to any week, let alone a busy one.
• Any progress made on projects would most likely be countered by sluggish productivity over the rest of the week.
• Work has a strange habit of expanding to fill available time, so would I really be getting ahead or get caught up in 'busy' work?
• It goes against everything I tell my clients to do!!

So I didn't even turn the computer on until this morning.  I spent the weekend relaxing, read a couple of paperbacks, and even had a couple of afternoon naps!

I know there will be other occasions when I do choose to work over the weekend - but only if it feels right.

As a result of switching off for a couple of days, my mind is actually clearer (even though I was totally overwhelmed last week), I feel rested and alert and excited to tackle the week ahead.

Best get on then....

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Wellbeing: There's something missing ....

What I've really enjoyed about this Easter holiday weekend isn't the chocolate (delicious though it is!), nor the long lie-ins in the morning (never been one for those).  In fact, it's taken me until almost the end of the long weekend to realise why I'm feeling relaxed, even though I've spent quite a few hours working and tackling a rather large 'elephant in the room' (more of that in another post!).

What has made this an enjoyable few days for me, is a lack of pressure, almost like a weight being lifted from my shoulders.  It's a similar feeling to being free from a nagging ache - you don't always realise it's gone straight away, but just know something's different, better than it was.

With most businesses closed for the duration, the phones have been quiet (though not in a worrying way); the volume of emails has eased off; many project deadlines have been suspended or put back; and there's no point in worrying about things when you can't reach anyone for a few days.

This blissful lack of pressure got me wondering how I can extend it after the end of the holiday.

How would you do it?

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Mojo (part 3)

Came across some photos the other day – I forget when they were taken – but there we are, me and dear old Mojo having a good laugh and enjoying ourselves by the look of it.  Must have been a long while ago if I can’t remember.  (Hindsight Rule #8 – Always have something to look forward to and make time to have fun)

The hardest part is seeing other people who still have their mojos.  You can always tell because they positively bubble with new ideas and sweep you along with their enthusiasm.  I used to be like that.  (Hindsight Rule #9 – Learn from the past and be excited by the future)

My hopes have been raised and dashed so many times – every time the phone rings I think it might be Mojo ringing for me to go and collect it.  But no, the calls have been gentle enquiries as to whether I'm OK.  (Hindsight Rule #10 – people will notice if your Mojo goes missing)

I wonder if it would help if I made an effort to smarten up or rebrand the business perhaps?  It’s so hard to decide on my own.  Would Mojo be tempted to come home …. Do you think?

To be continued ……

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Mojo (part 2)

Well, I’ve looked everywhere more than once now, even under the bed and behind the fridge.  Although I disturbed quite a bit of dust there’s still no sign of my Mojo, sad  to say. (Hindsight Rule #5 – Spring cleaning isn’t simply a quaint, seasonal tradition.  Keep things polished and fresh all year round.)

It’s really hard to get any work done around here – I hadn’t realised quite how much I depended on old Mojo to help me out on a daily basis.  All the routine tasks we used to zip through merrily together are soooo boring on my own.  (Hindsight Rule #6 – Make a game out of getting the dull stuff done.  Try racing against the clock)

The weather forecast is looking grim.  I do hope Mojo has found somewhere warm and dry to stay.  Rather ashamed at the realisation that I didn’t take better care when it was still here with me.  (Hindsight Rule #7 – Take nothing for granted and take especial care of your important assets)

You know, I have let things get in a bit of a pickle.  No wonder Mojo’s gone AWOL, I would too if I thought it would help!  Still, no point in feeling sorry for myself, that won’t get things sorted.  Nothing else for it but to make plan and then take action.

Oh, if you should happen to see my Mojo, please can you tell it how much I miss it?

To be continued …..

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Mojo

I suppose I should have taken more notice a few weeks ago when the first cheeky shadows started dancing and playing hide and seek, just out of my line of vision.  To be honest, I thought they were just a symptom of my over-tired eyes.  (Hindsight Rule #1 – don’t ignore troublesome symptoms, especially if they’re out of the ordinary.  Check them out, just in case)

After 11 years of being in business, complacency had been making itself far too comfortable amongst the spreading files and growing piles of paper in my office.  (Hindsight Rule #2 – Have a major declutter exercise at least once a year to keep everything fresh and leave no hiding place for bad habits)

I really believed it couldn’t happen to me.  After all, I teach this stuff for goodness sake!  People from all over the country, and even some from ‘over the water’ get in touch and ask me to help them.  (Hindsight Rule #3 – Arrogance and foolishness are close cousins and unwanted visitors.  Invite round respected elders, humility and wisdom to sort them out)

And then this morning, there it was – or rather it wasn’t.  I don’t know whether it decided at the last moment or had been planning its getaway meticulously over a period of time, either way it’s gone missing.   (Hindsight Rule #4 – refer to Hindsight Rule #1)

What do you mean, what am I talking about?  Can’t you see what’s missing?  Only my Mojo, that’s what!  Such a little word for such an important player in my business – and in my life.  The sparkle of fun and fizz of excitement are suddenly flat, dull and uninspiring. 

Without my mojo I really don’t know what’s to become of me. …. Have you seen it – anywhere?

To be continued …..

How to make the sun shine in your business

Have you noticed the effect sunshine has on your mood?  Here in the UK we’re possibly more obsessed with the weather than some other countries and, as I write this post, the sun is shining on a chilly autumn morning.  When the sun shines I feel energised, enthusiastic and optimistic; but when the day dawns grey, cloudy or raining, I’m more likely to be stalked by lethargy, doubts and negativity.

As busy business owners, we can’t afford to be affected by overcast skies, so here are three suggestions to make the sun shine in your business, whatever the weather!

Collect together all your testimonials from satisfied clients (print them out if electronic) and keep them in a file.  Reading through them on a grey day will reaffirm how great you are.  Also, if you receive any thank you greeting cards, store them in the same file.

Keeping a record of achievements will help chase away doubts.  Evidence that you have succeeded in the past is a great morale booster, and one we don’t use enough.  We always seem to be looking for the next goal and forget to congratulate ourselves on where we are right now.  Each milestone deserves its own celebration.

Giving thanks and appreciating the little things in life is an excellent way to stop pessimism in its tracks.  Stop and be grateful at least 5 times every day – for that perfect cup of coffee; for the love of your family; for being able to work from home & avoid those long commutes; for the stunning autumn colours on your morning walk and for the sweet birdsong that accompanied you.

How do you keep the sun shining in your business?  Please share your tips by leaving a comment below.

Are you pushing too hard?

Do you have a time of day when you could cheerfully take a nap for half an hour?  I know I do - for me it’s between 2 and 4 in the afternoon - I really struggle to work and probably should move to a country that has siestas!  And yet I used to push myself every day to keep going, to work through it until I got a ‘second wind’, lasting usually from around 4pm for a few more hours.  I did this for year, until a few weeks ago.

My laptop, which is brilliant in nearly every way, has an annoying habit of overheating if switched on continuously for over 12 hours a day, every day (what a surprise!).  It just dies without any warning which can be particularly embarrassing if I’m on a Skype call with a client or in the middle of my online radio show.  When it dawned on me that I was perhaps expecting too much from it, I began to turn it off for a couple of hours in the afternoon and find myself something else to do while it was ‘resting’.  The results weren’t quite what I was expecting.

At first it felt as though I’d been disconnected from the outside world (no Twitter or emails, and no surfing either). I work from home so I did a few chores, but they didn’t take long.  What should I do for the rest of the time? 

So I got out some good old fashioned pen and paper and started planning a new product system I’d been thinking about for a while.  I'd become so used to typing everything (like this blog post), it was quite relaxing to just think, doodle and mindmap on paper and the time simply flew by.  I couldn’t believe how much I got done in a relatively short time period.  So I did it again the next day, and the day after that.....

Rather than pushing yourself to keep working through your daily energy dips - try relaxing and ‘switching off’ for a while.  You’ll be surprised how much more productive you become!

Welcoming the sunshine!

Here in the UK, days are getting longer again thank goodness!  In the US clocks have already ‘sprung’ forward and we’ll be following suit in a couple of weeks.  The weather is beginning to improve and there’s some welcome warmth when the sun shines.

Sunshine is important to our wellbeing, providing vital Vitamin D and lifting our spirits too.  Getting out for a walk during the day will benefit your health and that can only be good for your business!

Wednesday Wellbeing

Cut down on the cola, coffee and sugar.  They will only give you an artificial and short-lived boost of energy.  When your blood sugar dips again, you will feel even more drained - and begin the cycle again! 

Plain water (mineral or tap!) or fruit/herbal tea (with a bit of honey if needed) will re-hydrate you without the high and low!

teapigs | fine green white black and organic herbal teas
Herbal Teas Reference Guide