As we return to work from the summer holidays, it is becoming evident some business owners cannot seem to take a break from the office and find a work-life balance.
Lots of companies find themselves in a loop of countless emails, memos and meetings stacked on top of each other. This unnecessary overload of communication is a big waste of time and usually holds you back from attending to other things outside of your work.
People may argue being successful at work and at home are mutually exclusive but we find achieving a balance is attainable.
It requires an ability to put aside the burdens of work at the end of the day and focus on important relationships. For an entrepreneur, their passion is their work and vice versa, so separating work and personal time can bemore difficult.
Being mobile and constantly connected adds a new dynamic to vacations as it has now become part of the norm to stay in touch even while on a break. There is no doubt over-use of technology is a global phenomenon, bordering on an addiction for many.
According to an external Manta Wellness survey conducted in June, 71 per cent of business owners find themselves glancing at their emails and accessing documents from mobile devices while sitting on a beach, going on a tourism outing, or trying to spend time with their families.
It is, then, no surprise business owners find themselves returning from vacations more tired than when they went away.
Research studies have shown small business owners, who manage their own time, tend to set goals and identify what really needs to be done each day.
Being organised tends to help maintain a balanced lifestyle. New business owners find themselves easily pulled into the chaos of their jobs, which often results in wasting the little precious time they have. Getting things done by setting pre-determined deadlines ensures you have the time to enjoy yourself with friends and family.
It is also important to harness the motivating power of your other passions. After all, no matter how dedicated you are to your company, you may have other interests too.
So what is work-life balance? To put it in simple terms, it is the ability to manage the growth and success of your business or career while leading a fulfilling lifestyle
Here are five easy steps to get you started:
1 Take a technology break for an hour every day during lunch. You will enjoy your food much more, while clearing your head of the things that might be irritating you or causing you to be stressed, which is counterproductive.
2 Select one family member or friend and make it a point to have a five-minute chat, a quick Skype session or an evening meal.
3 Exercise at least three times a week for a physical and mental release. The endorphins will make you feel good and help clear your mind.
4 Learn to relax. Pick an activity you love to do, weather it is cooking up a storm on the weekend, or taking up photography and add it to your schedule. Make a rule to stay away from work by putting all work emails and calls on hold.
5 Instead of wasting half your working day checking your twitter feed, Facebook and Instagram, improve your efficiency by setting aside five-minute breaks throughout the day to keep up with the latest social media happenings
Prajit Arora is the managing director of Sentinel Business Centres, a business set-up consultancy and serviced-office facility