Anyone running a small or medium business knows that it’s nothing like working a typical 9-5 job.
Although that’s one of the main benefits of managing your own business, it can also be one of the most challenging aspects. Your hours may be unpredictable, your schedule all over the place, and you are always trying to juggle dozens of jobs at once.
No two weeks are the same and there is always something popping up that needs attending to.
With all this on your plate, is it possible to have a work/life balance let alone a relatively normal work week as a SME?
We think it certainly is, but it’s going to take some adjustments!
Is A Normal Work Week Possible As A SME?
Put Your Flexibility To Good Use
One of the great things about being your own boss is the ability to set a schedule that works for you. You don’t have to stick to the old 9-5!
Everyone has different times of the day when they feel more energised and motivated. Maybe your head is clear and full of ideas at 5 am but you are dragging by 2. Or perhaps you can’t function until at least 10:30 am.
Maximise these productive hours by scheduling around them. Do all the hard or important jobs when you are fired up, and save the easier tasks for the slower hours.
Even if you find that you need to maintain regular business hours, you can boost productivity by sticking to this concept.
Streamline Your Systems And Processes
In today’s world, there’s no reason for you to be stuck in an office all day and putting in so many hours that your family forget what you look like. There are endless tools designed to automate repetitive tasks, help communicate with your team from afar, and keep tabs on all aspects of your business anyplace, anytime.
With cloud-based accounting software and remote task management tools like Asana or Slack, business owners can spend less time micro-managing and more time taking care of essential tasks. Which gives you the opportunity to clock off at “normal” time during your work week!
Become An Expert Goal-Setter
The key to managing your time and achieving a semblance of normality as an SME is organised, precise, and dedicated goal setting – followed, of course, by thoughtful action!
Start by establishing your business goals using the SMART method – i.e. make goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Then, break those goals down into things you need to do monthly, weekly, and daily. Now you have your planning your blueprint and can set a weekly schedule to stay on top of everything.
List the things that need to be achieved daily, slot a day of the week in for weekly tasks, and choose a consistent day for the monthly chores to ensure they don’t get skipped. Don’t forget to regularly review and adjust your goals as needed.
Master The Art Of Delegation
If you want a chance at a normal work week – complete with breaks, a family dinner, and maybe even a sleep-in or two – you are going to have to learn to let go of some work tasks.
It doesn’t make sense to try and do everything yourself. Outsourcing or delegating the jobs that take up too much time and energy – or the essential jobs that you are just not that great at – ensures everything gets done to a high standard.
Plus, getting the tasks off your plate means you have more time in your day. You will be able to move at a less frantic pace, starting and finishing work at more regular times.
Get Clear On Your Normal
What is “normal”?
For some people, normal is a 9-5 job. For others, it is a 4-hour work week. So, think about what you want your normal to look like.
There is no point trying to aspire to a kind of normal that won’t suit your lifestyle or way of working.
Think about what hours you want to keep, what tasks will make up your day, who you want to work with and how far you want to travel. The answers to those questions will make up what your normal looks like. It might look the same as other people’s “normal”, but if it suits you then who cares!
The weight of responsibility is heavy when you are running your own business. There seems to be a pressure to hustle constantly. That can lead you to unusual working hours or conditions.
It is totally possible to have a “normal” week as a SME, you just have to work out what your normal looks like. Oh, and get the help you need to make that normal happen.
So, if you want some normalcy in your work week, Admin Army can help you achieve it. Drop us a line today to see what we can take off your plate.