Small business owners are known for their tireless work ethic, constantly putting in long hours and sacrificing their personal time for the sake of their businesses. While working hard is necessary for success, it is also crucial for business owners to find a balance between their work and personal lives.
Yet, despite their best intentions, many small business owners struggle to find the time and energy to attend to tasks outside of work. In this blog post, we will explore the top challenges that small business owners face in finding free time and getting out of working 80 hour weeks, as well as the solutions to overcome them.
Challenge #1: Overwhelmed by the tasks at handSmall business owners often wear many hats, including managing finances, marketing, customer service, and more. In addition, they may supervise employees, maintain inventory, and oversee operations.
When all of these tasks pile up, it can be overwhelming and lead to long days. One solution to this problem is to prioritize tasks, create to-do lists, and delegate more responsibilities to other employees, if possible.
Challenge #2: Not delegating enoughWhile delegating may seem like an easy solution, many business owners fail to delegate enough of their work. Instead, they might feel that they are the only one who can complete a task correctly or efficiently.
Learning to trust and delegate to employees is crucial to finding time outside of work, not to mention it can also help improve morale and motivation among employees.
Challenge #3: Always available to clients/customersSmall business owners might feel pressured to always be available to clients or customers, leading to feelings of guilt or Anxiety when they cannot meet these demands.
Setting boundaries by having specific hours of operation or designating an employee to handle customer service calls can help alleviate these pressures.
Challenge #4: Difficulty prioritizing personal tasksWhen small business owners finally have free time, they may struggle to complete personal tasks, such as running errands or spending time with family and friends.
Block scheduling time for personal tasks, such as carving out a few hours each week for a hobby or setting aside time for a date night, can help prioritize personal time.
Challenge #5: Lack of self-careSmall business owners may frequently put their business needs ahead of their own. However, this can lead to Burnout and health problems.
Making time for Exercise, Meditation, or other self-care activities can help business owners stay energized, focused, and productive.
In conclusion, small business owners face many challenges in finding free time and getting out of working 80 hour weeks. However, by prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, setting boundaries, prioritizing personal time, and practicing self-care, business owners can overcome these challenges and lead a more balanced life.
Remember, a healthier and happier small business owner equals a healthier and happier business.
The post Finding Time as a Small Business Owner: The Top Challenges and Solutions appeared first on Business Advisor and Executive Coach | Doug Thorpe.
Small business owners will hit an invisible wall that can stall the growth of the company. The key reason there is a wall is that owners need to shift from manager to leader. The question is, how to do that?
Doug is a coach for CEOs and Senior Leadership Teams with 30 years of leadership experience. He is the president & CEO of Doug Thorpe Group. Doug is also a podcast host.
He helps owners understand the ways they need to reshape their thinking and attitude to make a successful break through the wall.
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Michael Levitt Chief Burnout Officer
