I’ve been feeling a bit flat lately – mornings are darker, there have been a few grey days, I have no imminent trips to look forward to. And of course the prospect of winter is looming larger.
If you’re a freelancer or home business owner, now is the time to make some plans to tackle the change of season positively so you keep your spirits up and keep the joy in your business.
These are some things that work for me:
1. Create a workspace you enjoy being in, as it’s likely you’ll spend more time there during the winter months. Try a new colour on your workspace walls, and make it cosy with throws, fingerless gloves and a new mug for your favourite warming drink.
2. And when being in your office starts to feels dull and stifling, get out and do something else. Julia Cameron coined the term ‘artist’s date’ in her bestseller The Artist’s Way. Just as an artist needs to constantly feed their creativity, as a small business owner you need regular inspiration to keep the joy in your business, and to stay fresh and productive.
3. Stay focused on what you are doing, don’t get distracted and demotivated by other people’s apparent successes. Restrict your use of social media if it helps. Those accounts that make you feel inadequate? Give them a rest.
4.Connect with plenty of people, online and off. Not just clients, suppliers, and industry contacts, but people you meet who share interesting information, make you laugh or have a different take on life. Keeping in touch with a varied network is a real mood booster on gloomy days.
5. Find a mentor or coach. The latter may well be worth the investment if you have a big project that is pulling you out of your comfort zone. A mentor could be someone who is just a bit further ahead, or someone senior in your industry who has become successful and likes to give back.
6. Keep a clear desk and a clear head by outsourcing the stuff you really don’t like doing. That stuff you keep putting off, that sucks up valuable energy. For many of us that’s financial stuff, either regular bookkeeping or the end of year accounts. Not only will it help you keep the joy in your business, but it pays for itself with objective feedback on your income and expenses, and expert advice on allowances you can claim.
You might initially feel a bit guilty about the time and cost required for some of these, but try and stick with it. Book them into your diary as a priority…and don’t scrub them out later because you don’t think you have time!
It might feel like that at first, but believe me, it pays off many times by providing you with a change of perspective and new ideas.
This post was kindly sponsored by Braant Accounting (Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash)
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