Business Education

If You Work Even When Your Not at Work You Need to Stop and Read This

Work, work, work, work. It’s a well-established entrepreneurial behavior. And, in the age of on-demand information and immediate connectivity, it’s only getting worse. Unfortunately, too many people are a part of an always-at-work culture. Sure, they love what they do. But, it causes burn out and just isn’t healthy. If you’re constantly working, even when you’re not at work, you’re not alone. So, read on to learn a few ways to effectively deal with it.

A Different Look at the Always-at-Work Behavior

We’ve talked about wasting time. And, in a very real sense, that’s what you’re doing when you’re working when you’re not actually at work. In other words, the fact that you’re not truly in the moment means you’re only cheating yourself and the others around you.

Depending on the job and the employer’s expectations, which should be clearly outlined, employees who accept a job and commit to meeting those expectations need to accept that they are “on call” and be willing to answer communications. However, remember the old adage, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Everyone deserves some time to disconnect. —Forbes.com

Think about it for a moment. If you are constantly distracted by work, you’re effectively taking time away from family and friends because you’re not enjoying what’s going on. In fact, you don’t even need to be there since it’s not what’s capturing your attention.

How to Prevent Workaholic Urges

Now, it’s one thing to “know” there’s an issue but a totally different thing to do something about it. After all, you’ll have to fight through those feelings that push you into your always-at-work disposition. So, let’s take a look at some effective ways to prevent workaholic urges:

Recognize there’s a problem. You’ve probably heard this a number of times. It’s unavoidably true. You must start by recognizing there is a real problem. Then, commit to make a change. Don’t beat yourself up too much if you slip now and again because that’s just part of the process.
Ask for help from your team. You’ll need to enlist the help of your team to make real strides. Tell them to keep work at work. You’ll probably find they are happy to help out.
Establish a set turn-off time. Another way to get away from the urge to work is to establish a set turnoff time. (A good time is when it’s time to cook dinner or sit down for dinner.)
Learn to indulge in relaxation. Relaxation isn’t a bad thing. So, stop treating it like it is the end of the world because it isn’t. Find something you enjoy and take time to enjoy it.
I am personally working on myself too! I recently took a break to Mexico with my 14 year old daughter to unplug. Guess what, I plugged in my lap top to work in the mornings and found myself working until noon on a few days! Not good! I actually felt a small amount of anxiety because of my actions. I am now working on a better plan for unplugging.

How else do you get away from the urge to work all the time? What other methods and strategies do you use? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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How You’re Sabotaging Your Own Business

May 16, 2017 No Comments

You put a lot into your business and have a commitment to make it grow. It’s likely that you want to do more than provide for your family, you probably would like to leave a legacy, and, feel the satisfaction of accomplishment. However, what’s holding your company back from its potential isn’t necessarily sinister, uncontrollable, outside forces–it’s you who is the culprit. That might sound strange, but it’s a reality that plagues many organizations, from the mom and pop brick and mortar, to software as a service, to large community companies. While you’re busy being busy and worrying about this and that, you’re likely missing some behaviors and practices you personally do to sabotage your own business. Sure, you know about your propensity to push yourself and try to keep a sound balance between work and home life, but, there are other ways you could be causing harm. How You’re Sabotaging Your Own Business Entrepreneurs have a dedication to an idea, and ironically, it’s that commitment which can cloud judgment, or, cause myopia–not seeing the bigger picture. There’s more to building a business than recruiting the right people, networking, and delivering a good level of service, along with the products or a services you offer or provide. Success begins with you, and, while you might have the drive to make it a worthwhile venture, you might also be impeding growth. Most entrepreneurs have the drive and desire to succeed. It’s what we grow up learning and what we want from an early age. But many of us have also been adversely wired by negative experiences in ways that sabotage or hinder our chances of personal and business success. The good news is that we can rewire ourselves in ways that not only neutralize our negative programming, but also put us on an even stronger path to success. —Forbes Most business owners understand that the right pricing, marketing, and brand building are crucial factors for success. What goes largely unnoticed is certain behaviors and practices that can inflict real damage, some of which can be long lasting. So, if you’re doing one of these things, identify them, and settle on a fix. Over-promising. It’s easy to give-in to pleasing your customers, and, doing so is laudable. However, when you over-promise, you run the very real risk of coming-up short. That’s a bad place to be and finding a way out of such a situation won’t be simple. Micromanaging. When you have every member of your organization under your thumb, you are sending a message that says you believe them to be incompetent. What’s more, you’re indirectly telling them they are only a tool, not an asset to your company. Not delegating. It’s one thing to micromanage, but it’s not the same as not delegating. You can be hands-off and not delegate, which can create chaos and decrease efficiency, as well as output. You ought to delegate to streamline your organization and make it work better. Keeping dead weight on staff. When you keep toxic team members on-board, you are sending a bad signal to others. What’s more, that particular person can project a negative image to your customers and to the outside world. Not setting achievable goals. You’ve probably heard the Zig Ziglar quote, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” That’s certainly true, and, it’s just as true of setting goals that aren’t realistic. Set workable goals, reach them, and then repeat. Another way you can easily sabotage your own business is to take things personally. There will be setbacks, even outright failures, and, you’ll lose good people along the way. Don’t take things personally because you’ll make emotional decisions, not sound ones. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Here are the 3 Biggest Self-Imposed Entrepreneurial Roadblocks

June 27, 2018 No Comments

More often than not, the person in the mirror is the individual who is most to blame for your problems. Usually, lack of success isn’t due to external circumstances or a run of bad luck. Poor decisions are typically the culprit. And, these mostly come from the failure to recognize certain self-imposed roadblocks. How Modern Culture undermines Businesses Now, this doesn’t mean there are never any real externalities which play a significant role. Just take a quick look at modern culture. Practically everything is now on-demand. We live at a time where immediate gratification is normal. But, that’s a dangerous situation. Success is what every business person and entrepreneur desires from the very core of their being. They have a dream, a genius idea and an initial excitement to make it happen. Having a great idea and building a sustainable empire, however, are very different things and many, if not most, fail. To rank among those who succeed you must master certain disciplines to avoid sabotaging your own success. —Entrepreneur.com You first need to instill self-discipline and realize it’s more advantageous to accomplish your biggest goals in small steps. An incremental approach will cause you to think through scenarios and have a more clear understanding. However, just taking it step-by-step might not be enough. 3 Biggest Self-Imposed Entrepreneurial Roadblocks Let’s get back to how too many entrepreneurs sabotage themselves. They put up roadblocks which keep them from realizing their full potential. So, here’s the three most common self-imposed roadblocks you need to recognize and deal with: Not recognizing futility for what it is. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Wargames,” then you know the scene when Dr. Stephen Falken uses the example of tic-tac-toe to illustrate the importance of recognizing futility. But, that’s the exact opposite of what we hear time and time again. You’re not supposed to give up. Keep fighting and find a way. However, there are times when it’s just futile and you can’t win. Remember Einstein said repeating the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Seriously doubting your own abilities. This is perhaps the most common self-imposed roadblock. It’s natural to have reservations, even to feel fear and/or doubt. Although, too much doubt is a poison pill. It’s simply paralyzing and ultimately self-defeating to give into unrealistic doubts. Saying “Yes” when “No” is appropriate. We’ve all heard the advice to give things away for free or at little cost. Additionally, to always help others. But, saying “Yes,” can easily obstruct your ability to grow your business. After all, you need to focus on your own business to build it up before you can actually be in a position to help others do the same with their companies. What other self-imposed roadblocks have you overcome? How do you move past your own limitations? Please share your thoughts by commenting and joining the conversation! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

How New Business Owners and Startup Entrepreneurs can Deal with Holiday Stress

December 21, 2022 No Comments

Although the holidays are usually fun and enjoyable, they can be a significant source of stress. With so much to do and less time to get everything done, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed. Stress can be particularly acute for business owners and entrepreneurs during the holiday season and this means being able to recognize the symptoms and cope with them appropriately. Why It’s Very Important to Take Stress Seriously Stress is a natural response to the demands and challenges of life. However, when stress becomes chronic and is not effectively managed, it can have negative effects on both the mind and the body. On the mental level, stress can interfere with concentration and decision-making abilities, leading to reduced productivity and difficulty in problem-solving. It can also cause feelings of anxiety, depression, and irritability. In extreme cases, chronic stress can lead to the development of mental health disorders Ask almost any small business owner about their plans for the holiday season, and there’s about a fifty percent chance they will laugh in your face. December is a notoriously stressful time for business owners, as the combination of wrapping up the end of year finances and projects, creating projections for the year ahead, and showing appropriate gratitude for customers and employees adds up to a heap of extra anxiety. —All Business.com On the physical level, stress can have a wide range of negative effects on the body. It can cause muscle tension, headaches, and digestive issues, as well as weaken the immune system and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Stress can also disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and difficulty in getting a restful night’s sleep. To mitigate the negative effects of stress on the mind and body, it is important to find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercising, mindfulness practices, and healthy eating. By taking steps to manage stress, individuals can improve their overall physical and mental well-being and live happier and healthier lives. Tips Business Owners and Entrepreneurs can Use to Cope with Holiday Stress The holiday season can be a stressful time for new business owners and startup entrepreneurs. Between trying to meet end-of-year goals, managing a busy schedule, and dealing with the added pressure of holiday expectations, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. Here are five coping strategies that can help new business owners and startup entrepreneurs manage holiday stress: Set boundaries. It’s important to set limits on how much time and energy you dedicate to your business during the holiday season. Set aside specific times for work and make sure to take breaks to rest and recharge. Delegate tasks. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to your team or consider hiring temporary help to alleviate some of the workload. Practice self-care. Make sure to prioritize your own well-being during the holiday season. This may include exercising, getting enough sleep, eating well, and finding time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Seek support. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network for support and guidance. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can help you navigate the challenges of the holiday season. Practice mindfulness. Take a few minutes each day to focus on the present moment and practice mindfulness. This can help you feel more centered and better equipped to handle the demands of the holiday season. By implementing these coping strategies, new business owners and startup entrepreneurs can effectively manage holiday stress and maintain their productivity and well-being during this busy time of year. So, what else do you recommend to help entrepreneurs and business owners deal with the stress of the holidays? Please take a few moments to give your own input to help others out during this time of year. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.