Recent article published in today's Financial Times and online.
"We are forever being told to work “smarter” instead of harder and to find a meaningful work-life balance. But standing in the way of this is a long-hours culture, presenteeism and job insecurity ..."
Read the whole article online at FT.com.
It doesn't have to be that way. Create good boundaries, plan and organise your work better and decide on what's important rather than trying to do everything.
Don't give in to the pressure of working long hours just because everyone else is. It doesn't necessarily mean they're working any harder. More likely they've been working inefficiently, been distracted and interrupted throughout the day and now have to work late to catch up.
Being organised, productive and working efficiently will reduce your stress and sense of insecurity when jobs are at risk.
Find out how to work fewer hours by looking at your current time habits with a free Time Audit.
Time management solutions for busy people - organise your business, your life and have fun.
Networking Tips #4 - Which Meeting?
There are literally hundreds of networking meetings happening every day and with a wide variety of business people attending.
Do a little research to make sure that you're attending the right meeting with the right attendees for your business. Whether you're looking to meet potential customers, suppliers or like-minded business owners - there's one that's right for you.
Look for local networking groups in your area - the Chamber of Commerce and Business Associations will often run them as well as dedicated business networking organisations like Business Network International - BNI.
You'll no doubt find several breakfast networking groups. These tend to be more formal with a set structure - you'll get to do your one-minute introduction to your business and exchange business cards. Some of these groups may also pass referrals to each other as part of the meeting.
Women's mid-morning or lunch time networking groups are also becoming popular - because many working women have children and breakfast networking doesn't work well with the school run.
Evening networking can be an informal drink straight after work or involve a meal and perhaps a presentation or talk.
Find a selection and try them out. Many charge either an annual membership fee and/or a charge for each meeting. There are some that are free or charge a small fee. Most will usually let you go along to a couple of meetings before you need to join.
Networking takes time, so don't give up after the first one or two - you need to get to know people and they need to get to know you - remember ... know, like, trust.
Allow at least six months before you start to see the benefit of your networking. The more you put in, the more you'll get from it.
Contact me if you'd like my list of networking groups in the UK.
Do a little research to make sure that you're attending the right meeting with the right attendees for your business. Whether you're looking to meet potential customers, suppliers or like-minded business owners - there's one that's right for you.
Look for local networking groups in your area - the Chamber of Commerce and Business Associations will often run them as well as dedicated business networking organisations like Business Network International - BNI.
You'll no doubt find several breakfast networking groups. These tend to be more formal with a set structure - you'll get to do your one-minute introduction to your business and exchange business cards. Some of these groups may also pass referrals to each other as part of the meeting.
Women's mid-morning or lunch time networking groups are also becoming popular - because many working women have children and breakfast networking doesn't work well with the school run.
Evening networking can be an informal drink straight after work or involve a meal and perhaps a presentation or talk.
Find a selection and try them out. Many charge either an annual membership fee and/or a charge for each meeting. There are some that are free or charge a small fee. Most will usually let you go along to a couple of meetings before you need to join.
Networking takes time, so don't give up after the first one or two - you need to get to know people and they need to get to know you - remember ... know, like, trust.
Allow at least six months before you start to see the benefit of your networking. The more you put in, the more you'll get from it.
Contact me if you'd like my list of networking groups in the UK.
M.A.D. Create The Ideal Work Life Balance
The 'ideal' balance will be different for everyone - most people will admit to wanting to spend more time with family and friends, wanting to work less, not finding time for exercise, never taking time off.
Stepping off the work treadmill and getting a new perspective is important to get some focus on what you're doing and why. It's the simple things that can make a difference and realise what's really important. It's not about working really hard and having a successful business - it's about what that gives you.
I know too many people who are missing out on spending time with their children, seeing them grow up because they work long hours. Who's health is suffering because of the pressure and stress of work - usually only doing something about it when something serious happens.
It works both ways - if you run your own business, you don't have to spend every waking hour on it and work late and at weekends in order to make it successful.
If you work for someone else you can use your time more effectively to get more done in the time available. An average of 1-2 hours of office time are wasted on distractions and interruptions, adding up to thousands of wasted hours in a year. Happy, balanced employees will work more productively, get more done and take less time off sick.
Take a look at how balanced your life is at the moment - decide what you want to change and then take steps to make that change happen - Life Balance Wheel - http://forms.aweber.com/form/80/1061988180.htm
A few simple tips:
- Plan time to create more balance in your life. Create better boundaries so work time doesn't spill over into personal time.
- Use the time you have more productively and more efficiently to give you more time to do the things you enjoy.
- Prioritise what you have to do, so you focus on the important and avoid distractions and time-wasters.
You can download my free Time Audit here - http://www.clareevans.co.uk/TimeManagementAudit.htm
February Newsletter: Find Time For Your Business
Many people spend a lot of time working on their business. But they can spend so much time fire-fighting, reacting to the latest demand from clients, dealing with employees that they lose sight of what's important.
One of the most important skills any business owner needs to learn, is how they use their time.
• Are you focusing on the right things?
• Do you know how to maximise your time for the greatest results?
• Are you just trying to keep your head above water - especially in the current climate?
You need to adapt to the changes that are happening every day. Technology moves faster than a speeding bullet, the economy has been more down than up over recent years.
Business is more competitive and new opportunities open up all the time. If you can't see the wood for the trees - you might just miss it.
You can read the rest of the article in this month's newsletter, just register on my website or click here. Free tips, advice, information and news on how to improve your time management for your business and personal life, direct to your inbox.
If you'd like more tips and information take a look at Transform Your Business, give me a call or email me and get a boost for 2011 - www.clareevans.co.uk.
One of the most important skills any business owner needs to learn, is how they use their time.
• Are you focusing on the right things?
• Do you know how to maximise your time for the greatest results?
• Are you just trying to keep your head above water - especially in the current climate?
You need to adapt to the changes that are happening every day. Technology moves faster than a speeding bullet, the economy has been more down than up over recent years.
Business is more competitive and new opportunities open up all the time. If you can't see the wood for the trees - you might just miss it.
You can read the rest of the article in this month's newsletter, just register on my website or click here. Free tips, advice, information and news on how to improve your time management for your business and personal life, direct to your inbox.
If you'd like more tips and information take a look at Transform Your Business, give me a call or email me and get a boost for 2011 - www.clareevans.co.uk.
M.A.D. Give Yourself A Little Love
Image via WikipediaHappy Valentines Day.It's that time of year when sentimental cards, red roses and boxes of chocolates abound. A romantic dinner for two has trebled in price and you can't move for couples expressing their undying love.
Whether you're in a relationship or whether you're on your own - take time out to look after yourself ... whatever the time of year.
Do something today to treat yourself - nurture your mind, body and soul even if no one else does.
- Indulge in your favourite cake with a cup of tea this afternoon.
- Go out for a walk and enjoy the Spring sunshine.
- Relax with a scented bath, candles and a glass of wine.
- Switch off the phone and curl up with your favourite book or DVD.
- Book up a massage or a favourite treat.
Even if you feel that this particular day is just another excuse for blatant commercialism and overpriced gifts, there's no reason not to give yourself a little love and indulgence.
The simple pleasures in life can make a big difference.
Networking Tips #3 - Follow-up
How many people do you tend to meet at a networking event? How many of them do you ever hear from again?
Networking is a regular part of my marketing strategy and I often go to events with 20-30-50 or more people. From any given event, I'm lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), if I hear from any of them after the event.
Meeting someone for the first time at a business networking event is only the first step.
Following up should be the second step and is one that many people miss. If you don't follow-up after your networking events then you're missing out on 90% of the benefit and results you'll achieve from networking.
A brief email or phone call after the meeting is a polite way of continuing the discussion. I use mine to offer my free Time Audit which helps people to understand more about what I do or I'll pass on information or resources that we discussed or contact details for someone that is useful to their business.
Stay in touch after the event but don't spam people. Not everyone appreciates being automatically added to your mailing list and sent information they didn't want.
Of course if you regularly go to the same group - you're more likely to meet the same people and you can develop the relationship more each time.
Remember - people rarely buy on the first contact, so that's why it's important to follow-up, start to build a relationship and maintain contact so you can learn how you can help them.
Networking is a regular part of my marketing strategy and I often go to events with 20-30-50 or more people. From any given event, I'm lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), if I hear from any of them after the event.
Meeting someone for the first time at a business networking event is only the first step.
Following up should be the second step and is one that many people miss. If you don't follow-up after your networking events then you're missing out on 90% of the benefit and results you'll achieve from networking.
A brief email or phone call after the meeting is a polite way of continuing the discussion. I use mine to offer my free Time Audit which helps people to understand more about what I do or I'll pass on information or resources that we discussed or contact details for someone that is useful to their business.
Stay in touch after the event but don't spam people. Not everyone appreciates being automatically added to your mailing list and sent information they didn't want.
Of course if you regularly go to the same group - you're more likely to meet the same people and you can develop the relationship more each time.
Remember - people rarely buy on the first contact, so that's why it's important to follow-up, start to build a relationship and maintain contact so you can learn how you can help them.
M.A.D. Massive Action Day
If you’ve got a list of things to do or tasks that you keep putting off, why not set up a Massive Action Day. See just how much you can achieve when you're focused and committed to taking action!
Team up with a friend or colleague and commit to a day (or a few hours) when you can work together. Make a list of what you want to get done.
It can be one major task or lots of small ones. Perhaps a project you want to complete or jobs around the house you need to get done.
It can be one major task or lots of small ones. Perhaps a project you want to complete or jobs around the house you need to get done.
List them out and if possible think about how long they’re going to take or the maximum amount of time you’re going to spend on them. For example:
· Catch up on Emails (30 mins)
· Complete a report (2 hrs)
· Update client files (1 hr)
· Clear filing (30 mins)
· Tidy office/living room … (30 mins)
Set a start and end time. Call each other on the hour, every hour. The call needs to be brief and should last no more than 5 minutes. Say what you’re going to get done in the next hour. Hang up and go do it.
Call back an hour later, report how you’ve done and what you’re going to do next. Don’t forget to keep it brief!
You’ll be amazed at how much you get done and how much energy it creates throughout the day.
If you want to try this out for yourself, then why not join a Focus Days on your own or with a group of friends.
Twitter - What's It All About?
Many of the people I come across in business while I'm out networking don't 'get' Twitter. So, here's a short summary to give you an idea if you've signed up and wondering what it's all about.
It takes time but can be well worth a little effort.
As a business it's a part of your marketing strategy and you need to use it that way. Have an idea of what you want to achieve by using Twitter.
- do you expect to get new business from it?
- do you want to expand your network?
- do you want to connect with your customers?
- do you want to share and inform?
- do you want to find new suppliers and service providers?
In the same way you wouldn't expect to get instant business from going to a networking meeting for the first time, don't expect instant results from Twitter.
Decide what you're going to do and how you're going to use it. How much time you have available, how and what you're going to tweet.
Set aside time for your social media networking. It does take time but don't make the mistake of getting sucked in and end up wasting hours of your day time. Aim to be online a few minutes each day.
- It's a micro-blogging tool or if you prefer it's SMS (Text messaging) online.
- Keep in touch with your network quickly and easily.
- Build your credibility and raise your visibility with an audience you wouldn't normally meet or connect with.
- Build relationships with people - both those you know and those you don't.
- Promote who you are and what you do - don't over do it though, it puts people off.
It takes time but can be well worth a little effort.
As a business it's a part of your marketing strategy and you need to use it that way. Have an idea of what you want to achieve by using Twitter.
- do you expect to get new business from it?
- do you want to expand your network?
- do you want to connect with your customers?
- do you want to share and inform?
- do you want to find new suppliers and service providers?
In the same way you wouldn't expect to get instant business from going to a networking meeting for the first time, don't expect instant results from Twitter.
Decide what you're going to do and how you're going to use it. How much time you have available, how and what you're going to tweet.
Set aside time for your social media networking. It does take time but don't make the mistake of getting sucked in and end up wasting hours of your day time. Aim to be online a few minutes each day.
- Post regularly.
- Connect with your followers.
- Find people to follow to build your network.
- Consistency and frequency is important.
Strike a balance between personal and business. Remember - everything you say - reflects on you and your business, not everyone really wants to know what you had for breakfast.
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