WORK HARD PLAY HARD
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD
We are one month into the new year! It’s easy to hit the ground running with a list of resolutions and goals for your business but it’s important to reevaluate and slow down to make sure your goals are sustainable without running yourself into the ground. Today we are talking about working hard but avoiding burnout and staying motivated!
1. Make RulesOne of my most valuable pieces of advice to avoiding burnout is to set the rules AND follow them. I know this is easier said than done especially when you are trying to build a clientele , but if you can stay strong it is worth it in the long run. You decide your hours, your policies, and your boundaries. I know that I look forward to work a lot less if I’ve stretched my hours too thin. With that in mind, you make the rules & you are the one that can break them—if something is worth it then you make the call. I’m happy to take an extra early morning client if it is on my terms and my client is aware it is an exception to the rule. By following your rules and set schedule you will build the clientele that you want while staying happy!
2. Plan AheadThis step is multifaceted, but I want to start with if you plan your breaks and lunches ahead of time then you are more likely to get a break and a lunch during the day. I can feel burnt out for the rest of the week if I have one day that is overworked. Plan out your time in advance for everything work related—content creation, social media, photo shoots, inventory, scheduling, answering messages, etc. We have a lot to do and it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t know when you will be able to check things off your to-do list. Another aspect of “planning ahead” is to have something to look forward to. I am much more motivated in all aspects of my life if I have something to look forward to, even if it is as simple as date night! Plan vacations, dates, time alone, and days off. By planning ahead it puts the motion into action!
3. Work Hard, Play HardSimilar to planning time off, don’t forget to play! I love a good weekend at home re-energizing but I also love getting outside, taking time for hobbies, and spending time with friends and family. This one is pretty self explanatory but so important when avoiding burnout and staying motivated.
4. Self CareIs self care the answer to everything? Probably. But, it is for sure the answer to avoid burnout! I’m talking about taking care of your body with nutrition and exercise, setting time aside to be alone, evaluate your thoughts, relaxing however you need, getting enough sleep, and indulging in whatever you call self care. You will feel burnout quick if you neglect yourself. Self care is just as important to stay motivated—these things will physically help your energy and we need energy to be motivated!
5. Re-MotivateEven if you are doing everything right: sticking to your boundaries, planning your time in advance, playing as much as your working, and practicing all your self care rituals, you can still feel BLAH. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut or we’re feeling like we’re on replay everyday and we need a little boost. Find what works for you to re-motivate yourself. Things that work for me include: scheduling a day off to purely reset, hit the gym a little harder to release endorphins, educate myself or take a course to feel refreshed, buy something new to use at work (hey, new tweezers, hey) to feel excited, or go to work early to feel extra prepared. One thing to keep in mind is to focus and listen to yourself, you are the one that will know when you need to step back and reevaluate.
