Some owners mistakenly believe that working long hours is the key to success, when they should be working smarter not longer.

Many business owners find it a struggle to manage the work/life balance.

A main goal for most of my clients is to work less hours and spend more time out of the office. I provide the advice, mentoring and coaching they need to be more in control of their business, which means they can manage their time much more efficiently – like a successful entrepreneur rather than an employee.

You should have the choice of when and how you work – this should not be decided for you.

Here are some techniques to help you reduce the hours you spend working ‘in’ your business:

  • Keep a tasks/work journal for 7 days – the first thing to identify is where all your time is being used up on tasks, as you might not realise how much of your time some things take up e.g. emails or interruptions from staff.
  • Prioritise and do the vital stuff to meet your goals – once you have analysed where and on what you spend your time, you then identify what your priorities are, what needs to change and where you should improve. Then ensure you work on the important and urgent stuff as a priority, not the unimportant stuff which can wait.
  • Delegate – don’t be an ‘I’l do it myself as I’ll know it’l be done right’ kind of person. If you feel you’re the only one in your business to do a task properly and it’s something you dislike doing, make it a priority to teach someone else to do it exactly like you do! Then once you know they are capable, don’t micromanage them. Leave it with them to do and ask that they keep you updated so you know it’s been done. While you’re at it, train them in other important tasks you do but don’t really enjoy doing/don’t want to do.
  • Stop saying yes – Are you your team’s go-to person for some aspects of your business? Managing staff can be like parenting in some ways. If you constantly do something for them, they’ll rely on this and not independently do it for themselves. A successful business owner and leader nurtures their staff members in order for them to grow and feel fulfilled. Making them self-sufficient and giving them new skills, experiences and responsibilities.

So get away from the office and out in the fresh air… out in the world! Experience the benefits of being your own boss!

Get in touch with me and we can create a plan of action to reduce the time you spend at work, to give yourself a life outside it.