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 Debbie Gregory.

You may find yourself suddenly working from home due to COVID-19.   Working from a home office is not necessarily an ideal set-up. The reality is that you are most likely trying to figure out how to juggle a number of balls such as: making space in your home for video calls and meetings, keeping yourself productive, keeping your kids occupied so you can work will trying to maintain a grip on your overall mental well-being.

Below are a few more tips to assist you for working at home productively from your new home office, and help you maintain your overall mental well-being:

1.) Setup a Dedicated & Separate Workplace:   

If you are used to going into an office every day, the separation between your job and your home is physical separation. Working from home removes this separation.   It is important to your productivity to recreate separation with a designated physical workspace in your home. If you do not have the space for a dedicated room, a quiet corner of a least-used room will work. This space just needs to feel as separate as possible from home life.

Tips for a good home workspace:

• Make it as comfortable as possible
• Make sure it has good lighting
• Make sure you include every item you need to perform your job (printer, computer, phone, paper, pens, etc.)

2.) Establish a Clear Routine & Stick to It:

You and those you live with need to understand when you are working and when you are not. Staying close to the hours you normally worked from your office is a good plan. Working from home places you in charge of your environment and your work schedule. This means that you will have to hold yourself and be disciplined.

3.) Know When to Stop Working and Actually STOP:

Once you have established your work hours, you need to make sure that you stick to them and stop working at the “end” of your day. Do something at the end of your designated workday that helps you mentally shift from work mode and unwind such as a walk, yoga or reading.

4.) Organize Work & Plan Tasks for Each Day:

Regardless of where you are working, it is essential that you not only set a regular schedule for your day but you need to also keep track of all of your tasks including both pending and completed ones. You can use a variety of methods for this but here are some free online tools to consider:

• Tasks and project management: Air Table, NovaTools, Trello
• Sharing documents: Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, GoogleDocs
• Video conferencing: Skype, Zoom, Google Meetings
• Team communication: Whatsapp, Slack

5.) Take Regular Breaks:

Working from home may isolate from some interactions you would normally have each day. Make sure that you take regular breaks from work as you would if you were in a traditional office. Grab a cup of coffee, take a quick walk, make a personal call.

6.) Stay Connected with Others:

Make sure that you schedule regular talks with coworkers or managers, even if these chats are only a couple of minutes long. You need to be sure that you are still properly communicating with your coworkers and managers as issues or challenges arise and avoid problems.  Never hesitate to reach out to the same people that you would normally turn to for help. It is also a good idea to schedule informal chats with your coworkers  such as a virtual happy hour after work for a catch-up session.

7.) Consider Those in Your Home:

If you are suddenly working from home, you are probably not the only one in your house who is facing this new work-life balance. You may find yourself at home with your spouse, children, other family, roommates, etc. It is best to establish clear boundaries and share them with the other people in your home. Set times or queues for others so they know when you cannot be disturbed. Clear communication keeps your home happy!

Remember to be easy on yourself and others. We are all navigating a whole new way to work and live during these unchartered times. These tips should help you to setup your home office and keep your day flowing smoothly.  It is more important than ever to communicate, reach out, connect and take care of one another.