Step 2 of Nick’s article “The Successful Established Business Owner (SEBO), four steps to successfully exiting your business and enjoying a thriving retirement.”, considers how as a busy successful business owner you should start to wrestle some time from your corporate self to find the non-work you.

In this article we explore eight practical ways in which you can start to make that a reality. Allowing you to find time to engage with out of work activities and passions.

1. Set Boundaries: Business owners should set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Decide on a specific time to start and finish work and stick to it. Avoid answering work calls or checking emails during personal time, and ensure that others in your life respect your boundaries as well.

2. Prioritise Your Time: Time management is crucial when running a business. It’s essential to prioritize tasks and focus on those that are most important. Avoid multitasking and delegate tasks to employees, if possible. Also, take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout.

3. Schedule Time for Personal Life: The workaholic business owner should schedule personal time just like they would schedule business meetings. Carving out time for hobbies, family, friends, and self-care activities is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Stick to these commitments as you would a business appointment.

4. Learn to Delegate: Business owners tend to think that they can do everything themselves, but that’s not always the case. Delegating tasks to employees can free up time for personal life and improve the quality of work-life balance. Remember, your employees are there to support you and your business.

5. Use Technology to Your Advantage: Technology can help business owners work smarter, not harder. Using apps, software, and automation tools can streamline work processes, save time, and increase productivity. Take advantage of tools that can help you stay organized, automate tasks, and communicate more efficiently.

6. Take Care of Your Health: A healthy work-life balance starts with taking care of yourself. Make time for exercise, sleep, and healthy eating habits. These practices can improve your physical and mental health, increase energy levels, and help you focus on work and personal life.

7. Outsource Non-Essential Tasks: Outsourcing non-essential tasks to contractors or freelancers can free up time for more important business or personal tasks. It can also reduce the stress of managing employees and give you more control over your time.

8. Consider a Flexible Work Arrangement: A flexible work arrangement, such as remote work, can be beneficial for business owners who struggle with work-life balance. A flexible work arrangement allows for more freedom to balance work and personal life, reduces commute time, and can improve work-life balance.

This requires a conscious effort and a commitment to self-care. With these tips, you can improve your physical and mental health, increase productivity, and create a more fulfilling life outside of work. Remember, work is an important part of life, but it shouldn’t consume all of it.

Today there are myriad books and podcasts that will provide you with further inspiration or tools to support these changes. Following a couple of suggestions of each to get you started:

Books

• “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
  With a focus on how small changes in behaviour can lead to significant improvements in your life this book provides a practical framework for creating and maintaining good habits while breaking bad ones.
•  “I Didn’t Do The Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt” by Madeline Dore
  Exploring the complex relationship between productivity and our sense of self-worth this book considers that the societal pressure to constantly achieve and be productive can lead to a cycle of guilt and burnout, and offers strategies for breaking free from these patterns, embracing a more compassionate and mindful approach to work and life.

Podcasts

• “Feel Better, Live More” hosted by Dr Rangan Chatterjee
  Hosted by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, a medical doctor and author who focuses on lifestyle medicine. This podcast aims to inspire and empower listeners to live healthier and happier lives by sharing insights from leading experts in the fields of health, wellbeing, and personal development.
• “High Performance” hosted by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes
  Jake Humphrey is a British television presenter and sports commentator, best known for his work on Formula One, the Premier League, and BT Sport. Damian Hughes is a professor of organizational psychology and change at Manchester Metropolitan University and an author of several books on leadership and performance. This podcast features interviews with high achievers from a variety of fields, including sports, business, and the arts. The aim of the podcast is to explore the mindset, habits, and strategies of successful people and to share insights that listeners can apply to their own lives.