How to find the time in your busy day to start your own business.
by Lynne Franks
Whether you are single or have a family, are currently working nine-to-five or juggling several part-time jobs, something's got to give if you want to devote some quality time to your venture.
Here are some wise words from different women who've learned to get more out of every hour, without sacrificing their need for relaxation because starting a business the feminine way involves decreasing your level of stress, not adding to it.
The early riser
I realised that if I made a very simple change in my day-to-day life, I would have the time I needed to begin to realise my dream. I simply set my alarm clock for one hour earlier. I gave myself an hour every day, as a gift. It s the perfect time for me, too. The rest of the world is quiet and I can think about my project with a fresh mind, before the onslaught of kids and work routine.
The conservationist
So-called vampire friends who just want to suck my energy have had to go now that I'm working for myself. I love seeing my close friends, but I don t want to see complainers and professional victims. The trouble is they are often attracted to strong people and, although I'm sympathetic, I want to conserve my energy.
The date maker
For me, carving out the time I needed meant, first of all, noticing where all my free time was being eaten up: dinners and films with friends, phone calls and watching TV. I had rationalised that I needed the R&R time after work to get together with friends or come home and veg out in front of the tube. But not every single night of the week! Now I keep the date with myself to work on my business plan two nights a week.
The list maker
I make lists of everything I have to do the night before. I write them in an attractive notebook and stretch time by crossing out the jobs that aren't really that important. The time they would have taken up now belongs to my SEED project.
I talked to lots of high-achievers, some with small children, about how they stretch time and fit everything they need to into their lives. Of course, successful earners rely on a support system of childcare, cleaning help and so on. However, everyone agreed that it was keeping some space for themselves just a few minutes here and there that helped them to have the clarity and time to do their work. Panicking definitely didn t help anyone.
Walks, regular food and loo breaks, lots of lists, five minutes of silence now and then, making verbal lists into hand-held recorders when stuck in traffic, making your phone calls first thing in the morning and definitely remembering to breathe seem to work for most.
Of course, in these days of technology we have our mobile phones with us. I rarely give my number out, as I would hate it ringing all the time, but at least I can make the calls I need to when I m travelling.
