Small
Business Tools and Resources
Reaching Escape Velocity
by Terri Lonier Founder, WorkingSolo.com
Putting in too many long hours running your Internet business
and feeling like you're headed for burnout? Here are seven
ways to refresh yourself as a soloist. It's true, none can
quite compare to a week at the beach. But they don't require a
plane ticket or complicated plans, either. These mini-escapes
may be just what you need to revive yourself for the next
stage of your solo business adventure.
1. Book a one-hour meeting with yourself today. Go ahead, take
an hour off. In the long run, it may be the most valuable
thing you do to increase your productivity. Take a walk, read
the paper, maybe even sneak in a snooze. Give yourself
permission that even though it's work hours, for 60 minutes,
you're off the clock.
2. Change your environment. Without getting into a
time-consuming office redesign, see if there's a way you can
change where you're working. If you're laptop-bound, consider
taking your computer to a different room. Put on some
unexpected music, try some different lighting. The goal is to
shift the status quo of your surroundings.
3. Invest ten dollars in something fun. Make a mini-splurge.
Think small, but entertaining: unusual magazine or book; movie
at your local cinema or a DVD rental at home; some decadent
food item in a small portion; pampering items to make you feel
great; phone call to a far-away friend. You get the idea. Let
your imagination run wild, within the limits of 40 quarters.
4. Connect with a "reality check" friend. Hook up with someone
who understands the challenges you're facing working on your
own. Sharing your situation can bring a fresh perspective, and
will help you realize it's not quite as dreary as you
originally thought. Don't be surprised if your creativity
kicks in as you listen to yourself talk, and you come up with
some inventive solutions to your problems.
5. List your accomplishments. Pull out a pen and a pad of
paper and take stock of all you've accomplished in the last 90
days. Chances are, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how far
you've come. When we get bogged down into the dreary details
of daily challenges, we often lose the 30,000-foot perspective
and the overview of what we've accomplished.
6. Get moving! Drink more water, and get more exercise. It's
one of the best mood-altering strategies you can adopt. Just
getting the blood flowing can do wonders for your disposition
- and your renewed sense of focus. And we're not talking
Boston Marathon here. Fifteen to twenty minutes can
rejuventate you in remarkable ways.
7. Treat yourself like an employee. Be honest: If you were an
employee, would you be working this hard? If you're like most
seasoned soloists, you'll likely say no. While you don't have
to become a total slacker, understand that it's OK to lighten
up at times.
It's important to realize that when you're working solo,
you're in the race for the long haul, not the short sprint.
Taking care of yourself is one of the best investments you can
make - and sometimes that begins with a brief time out. The
work will certainly be there when you return, so enjoy your
mini-escape!
Copyright 2004 Working Solo, Inc. All rights reserved.
Past Terri
Lonier Articles
Bio Note:
Terri Lonier is a business coach who guides business owners on
how to generate greater profits -- and have more fun – while
running your company. One of the nation’s most respected
authorities on self-employment and entrepreneurship, Terri is
author of five books, including the classic startup guide,
“Working Solo.” Her work has been featured in the New York
Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Fast Company, Inc.,
and on CNBC, CNN/fn, and radio stations around the world. You
can learn more about Terri and her Pathfinder Coaching Program
at her Working Solo Web site, http://www.workingsolo.com
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