Our world is moving at a frenetic pace. With a 24-hour news cycle, constant access to email and text messages, you might feel like your increasingly busy life never gets a break. You are trying to succeed in a competitive business market and in a “hustle” culture where sleep deprivation and overwork are sometimes a badge of honor.
But is this approach to work and life actually effective? Just because people are working longer hours, are they actually accomplishing more of what they want? Research shows 65% of workers are stressed and overwhelmed. Besides the fact that feeling overworked is no way to live, if you are always tired and stressed, is your business going to benefit?
Being exhausted impedes your creativity, clouds your judgment and hampers your relationships.
While it may sound counterintuitive, one of the best ways to get ahead in your business is to slow down.
We don’t mean you should stop working hard to achieve your goals. But just being busy is not the same as consistent, purpose-driven action. The key to conquering burnout and finding success and fulfillment in your business is deliberate, laser-like focus.
“We don’t experience life; we experience the life we focus on.”
When you take the time to step back, look at the big picture and pause to take inventory of where you are, you’ll have more than enough time and energy for what matters most.
Shift Your Mindset
You have to stop believing that prioritizing yourself is selfish. Flight attendants always remind us to put on our own oxygen masks before helping others. When you slow down and take care of yourself with enough sleep, exercise and intentional focus, you’ll feel energized and connected. You will be able to think more clearly. Your relationships will improve. You will reconnect with your passions and refuel your drive to succeed.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. The secret to success is to pour into yourself. Fill your cup so you can go out into the world and serve and deliver on an unparalleled level.
“Learning to prioritize yourself is essential to true growth.”
Learn to Be Present
Presence is more than just our physical location. We’ve all had the experience of being somewhere—the dinner table, a board meeting, a classroom—but our minds are somewhere else entirely.
Presence is the ultimate gift you can give yourself, your loved ones and your business. We all say we want work/life balance, but instead, many of us are just bringing our work home to our family lives and letting distractions flood our work hours.
Instead, practice radical focus. When you are with people you care about, give them your full attention. Don’t live in the memory of the past or the imaginings of the future. Experience the present fully.
Eliminate distractions when you are at work. Slow down and give yourself the chance to observe rather than simply act and react. Notice what is working and what isn’t.
Measure Success
“You cannot manage what you don’t measure.”
It isn’t enough to just set goals. If you want to be successful, you have to measure your progress. Once you take the time to start measuring, you will notice progress more often, which fuels your desire to do more, be more, create more, and give more. This builds momentum and pulls you toward success.
While virtually all business leaders intend to track spending, analyze financial reports and anticipate legal challenges, the unfortunate truth is that most don’t actually do it. Monitoring and measuring where your business is can feel like an unnecessary (and often dull) task when you have so much else to do.
However, if you slow down and regularly take stock of your business, you’ll be better equipped to anticipate challenges and allocate time and resources. Learn how to read, interpret and measure your financials. Figure out what data is most beneficial to you and will allow you to make intelligent, strategic decisions.
Celebrate Your Wins
As you work toward setting goals and measuring progress, it’s vital to make time for regular reflection. Review your goals and make note of both your accomplishments and things you still need to work on. It is so important to celebrate the progress you’ve made and any magic moments along the way. Pick three to five outcomes or results you want to focus on going forward.
Our world can often reward people and companies for doing the wrong things, and punish others for doing what is right. That’s why you can’t wait for outside validation. Celebrate and reward yourself and your employees for all the progress being made right now.
“Progress equals happiness.”
Reaching a goal is satisfying, but only temporarily. Real joy and fulfillment come from continually working towards a meaningful goal. Celebrating progress is the fuel that keeps you going.
Get Help From a Business Coach
Successful people, from elite athletes to politicians to business leaders, use coaches and mentors. A coach is invaluable in helping you prioritize your time, resources and focus. A coach can help you slow down to get ahead by connecting you with your purpose, giving you tools for measuring your gains and suggesting strategies for building on your progress.
When you slow down and approach your life with intention and purpose, you will discover that you have the energy and focus to accomplish more than you thought possible. A business coach can provide a needed outside perspective that gets you out of the frantic hustle and on your way to accomplishing more while doing less.