Business Bullets - People

The work-life balance is one of the hardest things to get right, especially when you're trying to start, grow or develop a business.  Here are ten things that you can look at to make a start.

1. You – get to know yourself and what you want. What are your needs? Are you feeling happy and fulfilled? What needs improvement? Think about what it is you really want and how you can achieve it, what are your options and who can help you.

2. Work – take screen breaks & have a lunch break, go for a walk to clear your head if you are overwhelmed.

3. Relationships - busy people with lots of work commitments often make the mistake of taking their relationships for granted & believe that it is a constant no matter what. Learning how to recognise the ways that you and your partner need to feel loved and appreciated will make it a lot easier for you to keep a strong connection.

4. Looking for love – this is another area we can often be 'too busy' to focus on. If you don't put real effort in and make time for looking for that someone special they aren't going to come and knock on your door so be prepared to get out there and invest some time in to searching for the person you want to have in your life. Socialise with friends/colleagues, join some groups or dating websites and start meeting people!

5. Self-compassion - don't give yourself too much of a hard time, cut yourself some slack & allow yourself to have a break without feeling guilty! We all have an inner critic and it can be harsh. It's important to be aware of this and change the way we speak to ourselves, be kinder and recognise that we're not perfect - we're human.

6. Fitness & exercise - when you are working long hours then coming home feeling tired it can be challenging to keep to a good exercise regime. This is when it really pays to bring this forward as a priority. If the gym isn't your thing there are loads of great activities you can do which are fun too. Try out different classes, groups or activities that you think you will enjoy to keep your interest so you will actually want to go!

7. Nutrition – when we are busy we often skip meals or grab a quick fix, which probably isn't the healthy option if we're being honest! Being prepared, thinking about our meals in advance, making homemade food more often and making an effort to eat at appropriate times throughout the day. Taking in healthy snacks to eat at your desk will keep your brain active and engaged, you won't feel as lethargic and will give you the boost you need to get through a demanding day.

8. Relaxation - to avoid burnout set aside at least 20 minutes a day (technology-free, no phones, laptops, tablets etc) to wind down and have some chill out time. Whatever works for you i.e. reading, having a bath or listening to music to de-stress, keep the mind still, not running through that to-do list or what you need to do at work the next day. In doing so your thought process becomes more orderly and you can make the necessary space for your real priorities, creativity and values to move to the fore.

9. Fun & hobbies - whatever hobbies you enjoy that are just for you be sure to make the time for them often. If it's watching a movie, socializing with friends or hiking mountains – go do it! Don't put the things that make you happy on the back burner, have fun, be creative and relax!

10. Self development - if there are areas of self-development you are looking to pursue, invest in yourself - learn and progress whenever you can. Whether it's personally or professionally if it is going to be interesting, challenging and stimulating go for it and be proud of your achievements!

Think about what you could do differently and what you will do differently from today,
decide what works best with your own routine and situation. It is important to introduce small changes that can be easily maintained and that are consistent. Small changes can make a big difference!