Most business owners say that they lack free time or even the time to do much more than work. They tend to work almost non-stop.   This is because their passion for their business is what had led them to success. However, working yourself to death is not a good thing to do.  It is so important to have balance and all work, and no play is unhealthy and can burn you out.   It is critical that you take control of your schedule and get some much needed down time.  Sometime scheduling your downtime just as you schedule an important meeting can be important and ensure that you have this balance. Below are three ideas to help you better manage your time and schedule.

1.) Say no… and mean it!

Most business owners find it difficult to turn down projects or opportunities that may prove valuable at some later date. They often end up overloading their schedules and stressing themselves out.

When asked to do anything, you should step back and consider if the proposition is providing real value to you or your business. Will the opportunity be beneficial both in terms of time spent on it and yield the desired result? Occasionally you may just take on a project because it seems like fun, or you like the person asking you to do it. Make sure that you take a few minutes to analyze any new opportunity or request in order to make an educated decision on whether it is worth your attention. If it is not, say no and mean it.

2.) Delegate!

Many business owners are overwhelmed with tasks; whether it is stocking shelves, answering calls or emails, managing payroll, heading to bank, or the multitude of other day-to-day tasks that need to be done. Even if you do not have employees, you can (and should) still be delegating tasks to others to help free up some of your time. Start with your staff and employees and then ask other people that you trust outside of the business (family or friends) who are able to assist with some of the more minor tasks on your list.

3.) Work-Life Blending…

As a Small Business Owner,you most likely already know that you cannot completely separate your personal life from your work life. This is not a bad thing. Instead of a work-life balance, most have a work-life blend that can be incredibly beneficial to the business and the business owner as long as it is managed properly. Learn when to focus on the business and when to focus on your personal life. Make sure to prioritize as needed and take time off to completely disconnect occasionally for goodness’s sake!

Managing your valuable time as a Small Veteran Business Owner will always be a constant challenge.  However, with a concerted, strategic effort, you can better schedule your business and life.  This will provide you more free time and help you stay passionate and energized to grow your business.

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hopes that this article has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective.  We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:

https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vamboa

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VAMBOA

Don’t forget that VAMBOA members receive significant discounts on technology needs.   Check them out here:

https://vamboa.org/dell-technologies/

By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer

Just how much work brings a business idea to life? Many new business owners today assume unrealistically that no amount of work is enough. Following the initial exuberance of a spark of inspiration, some may see creating and managing their vision from the outset as not full-time job, but an all-time commitment. Life comes first, and when the stress of their own perceived obligations runs a manager down, a small business could stay down with them until their own welfare becomes a priority.

Business owners should manage their priorities wisely. The first such priority is health. Excessive overtime does no favors for either a service-provider or their clients. Sluggish thinking tends to prevail when overwork is the norm. Such thinking leads to mistakes, numbs innovation, and creates apathy. Many a medical resident or air traffic controller has learned this lesson the hard way. No business owner benefits from 12 hours a day hustling for work that may not exist.  Small business owners need to work smart instead of long and this is good advice.

The owner’s commitment should therefore match the realistic scale of the enterprise. Early in the history of a business, the time-commitment may in fact be minimal. A new business owner may in fact need to feel out the scope of demand for their services before planning for a larger, more sophisticated organization.

Often for a brand-new entrepreneur, the most exciting aspects of the business may in fact provide the greatest rewards. In other words, dry planning for infrastructure development may for some hinder rather than help development. Such development may not end up a great fit for the needs of a new business.

Perhaps later, business may grow.  The necessities of a new enterprise may change. A sole proprietor often must direct every function of their enterprise. A larger organization tends to rely on specialists. Any mid-size or large corporation likely has several departments, such as Human Resources, Legal, or Marketing. As a sole proprietor develops their new business, they often must assume each function simultaneously and wear many hats.

The direct needs of the business could more directly impact the proprietor. The more demanding a business becomes, the more carefully we should balance the needs of the business with our own capacity to function in a healthy, productive manner.

A 2012 Slate article, “Bring Back the 40-hour Work Week,” noted that for most of the 20^th century, business leaders such as Henry Ford noted the deleterious effects of overwork for their employees, as well as presumably themselves. The current ethos of overwork in many sectors does nothing to improve on these sentiments.

Those who run a business should have a sense of their own proclivities. Consider those habits that may sharpen your senses and increase your enthusiasm, as opposed to those that leave you exhausted and sluggish. For example, some people work best in the mornings, while others need time to adjust and plan their day. Breaktimes and lunch may provide opportunities to get to know your healthiest, most productive, and happiest routine. Additionally, managers should know how to mesh work life with down-time and recreation.

Generally, those who deliver vibrance to their own business creations are fonts of life themselves. Your own inner world dictates the energy you radiate. Self-care and mindfulness about your own well-being colors the life of those within your sphere. Hence, consider the dangers of the cult of overwork, and remember that the management of your own well-being matters as much as management of your business.

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hopes that this article has been valuable.   We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:

https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/vamboa

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VAMBOA

Don’t forget that VAMBOA members receive significant discounts on technology needs.   Check them out here:

https://vamboa.org/dell-technologies/