Halloween is a fun holiday. Thanksgiving, though, with its holiday travel or hosting large groups of family members also gets entrepreneurs into the holiday season and that is a lot of stress for many business owners. We have 3 ways entrepreneurs can handle holiday stress, enjoy time with friends and family and not be concerned their business will fall apart.
When I was a fledging entrepreneur, I didn’t give myself enough time to enjoy the holidays and savor time with friends and family. I was so business-focused that I didn’t stop and put strategies in place that would let me enjoy holidays without the stress of my business hanging over my head. I want you to learn from my years of experience and find that you can almost have it all.
3 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Handle Holiday Stress
While I don’t believe there is a true work-life balance, there are ways to step away from work and be with friends and enjoy the holidays. Why don’t I believe in work- life balance? Because when you’re at work you’re working. When you’re home, you’re home. You could have a work-life blend, but balance, not so much.
Here are my tips.
Keep to your regular routine. If you have a plan that works for you, then stick with it. Don’t get off track and shuffle too many things around. Yes, you may want to move some client calls or meetings to take the holidays and time you want to take off into consideration but don’t just ditch all the successful strides you’ve made.
Just say no. No to extra responsibilities. No to additional meetings. Maybe even no to taking on a new client in the holiday season. This is obviously a personal decision and your finances will play a role, but does this new client need to start right now or can he or she wait until the new year? Can you do a soft onboarding and jump in after the holidays?
Give yourself a gift. The gift of time. The gift of a day off. The gift of a day at the spa. Whatever you consider a gift, do that and don’t feel guilty. If you’re giving and giving and giving, it might just be time for you to take something on your own.
Give back. The holidays are a time when pet shelters or homeless shelters and food kitchens really need helping hands. Find some time to volunteer and bring your friends and family along for that experience.
What do you need to, or want to, do differently this holiday season so you can enjoy it? Let me know!
How can you be outstanding (out standing!) in your field? You need to leverage your uniqueness. Don’t let what makes you, you be invisible. You don’t need to fit in in order to succeed in your chosen business path. Even the most staid industry — attorney or accountant, for example — can leverage the uniqueness of the business owner to set themselves apart from the competition. How can you use your uniqueness to find the clients you want?
I know many business owners want to fit in and they sometimes don’t show the world who they are, who they can be and why you should work with them. Don’t be dragged down by societal pressure to conform. Your ideal client will find you and be drawn to your uniqueness.
If everyone was the same, why would we consider them significant or a good fit for your business? What is your unique selling proposition (USP)? Know it. Embrace it. Use it as a marketing tool. Those who thrive are those who are authentic and reveal themselves for who they are and that’s why we are drawn to them.
Rex Richard — I — may seem like I am the life of the party, especially if you see my social media posts, but I am quiet and an introvert and perhaps even “ADD.” In my business as a coach who works with entrepreneurs and business owners in the swimming pool industry, I delve into research and data. When I talk with my clients I am highly introspective. I may not be comfortable in large networking settings but I am an empath and can understand how others think and feel and can relate to them when we meet.
How Can You Use Your Uniqueness?
I am a highly sought-after speaker and can speak to large audiences and am able to project my voice, my thoughts and explain the benefits of the services and products I sell. Although I may feel awkward and even out of place when surrounded by people whom I don’t know well, I know I can work the room then go back and recharge my emotional batteries. I enjoy recharging through trips, alone or with a friend; I enjoy the mountains, the ocean and would rather be in the company of people whom I know well than spend time with strangers.
What does that have to do with being unique? It’s because I can relate to other empaths. I can connect on a deeper level with those who have the same sensitivity as I do. If I am forced to “be on stage” all the time, I will burn out emotionally and it will take a long, long time to recharge my batteries.
Remember, you’re special. You’re unique. Harness the power of your personality to attract those you want to interact with and it will almost naturally weed out those you don’t want to work with.
Don’t use your individuality as a weapon. Don’t use it to be crass and brash and injure the feelings of others. Don’t use your uniqueness to control or disrupt those who don’t agree with your point of view.
I may be quiet and introverted, but I love to help others and see them succeed. I spend dozens of hours on the phone, and in person in small groups or one on one with my clients. My spirit of giving is what sets me apart and energizes me.
Have you ever heard the saying, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life?” It may be true, especially if you have a passion that you can turn into a profit. What are you passionate about and how to turn that passion into a profit is something Rex Richard talks with his coaching clients about.
Are you passionate about?
How To Turn A Passion Into A Profit
Dogs? Start a grooming or dog walking or pet sitting service.
Swimming pools? Start a pool cleaning business. You’ll need know how and tools.
Baking? Start a catering service or sell your baked goods at vendor fairs. Check the rules in your location for what you need in order to do that safely.
Driving? Yes, you can drive for one of the ride services or even for a delivery service like Amazon.
Children? Start a child care service or even offer “date night” babysitting services for overworked parents.
Love helping people? Become a coach. Take courses and learn how to coach in a particular niche
Are you great at graphic design? Become a freelance designer.
There are many ways to take what you love and turn a profit. Remember, though just because you think of it as a hobby, if you’re earning money, and if you have expenses you will want to treat it like a business and talk with an accountant, an attorney and with a business coach to ensure you’re charging properly and that you are making the most of your unique talents. Contact Rex Richard for a consultation.
Remember that children’s song, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”? That song has it wrong — words can wound. The wound from words could scar for a lifetime. It’s important to weigh your words whether you’re talking with a friend, family member or child and it’s important to think before you speak with a client.
You also want to think before you speak about one person to another person. It will ultimately be you that the harm comes back to, so just don’t do it.
Words carry weight. They can uplift or they can lead to upset. Think about the next time you say, “I had an awfully good day.” Sure, it sounds great, but why say “awfully?” Why didn’t you just have a good day? How about saying to a client, “I am anxious to get started working with you.” You may mean you’re really looking forward to starting BUT a client who doesn’t know you may think you’re desperate or nervous and they may not want to place their trust in you. Say, “I am looking forward to, or eager to, or excited to… work with you.”
Weigh Your Words
The words you speak to yourself can color your day and your interactions. Start your day with the mindset that, “this is going to be a great day!” Don’t think, “I have a few meetings today I hope they go well or I hope I won’t be too tired by the time the day is over.” In one instance you’re setting yourself up for a great day, in the other you are plodding toward your day like you’re walking into a firing squad.
What message do you want to tell yourself? Your clients?
How can you reframe your words? When you reframe your words, you reframe your thoughts and your day takes a turn toward the better!
I’ve been told that I uplift and encourage people. I love hearing that and I love doing that. What words do people say about you? What words do you want them to say?
