Why Taking a Breather Does Your Business Good

I just returned from a mini-trip and spent time with family and my adorable 6 month-old niece. I also spent time with a good friend and we had fun sharing laughs and conversation over delicious wine and cheese. It made me realize that it's these special moments with family and friends that make all the difference in the world. 

Like everyone else who is self-employed and runs a business, I tend to go non-stop with my tunnel vision work mode. The past few months have been hectic and it's been awhile since I took a 'me' break. Don't get me wrong, this year has definitely been productive, but I could feel my wheels starting to sluggishly turn and definitely needed a break. 

Yes, I know - gas is expensive and with the economy, you can't spare the expense or time to get away to the ocean or mountains for a few days. Even if you can't spare an extended holiday away from your business, it helps to take a breather... even if it's only a mini-break.

You also don't have to spend money to take that much-needed breather either. Sit on your deck and enjoy the sunshine with a glass of iced tea, or take your dog for a walk or spend time with your kids or grandkids. 

When you take the time out of your busy schedule to relax (and have FUN), you refresh that tired noggin and are more productve. After my break, I feel rejuvenated and am motivated and ready to tackle new projects. My yoga teacher brought up a very good point in my last class. Bring out your inner child and play with him or her, and IF you promise to do something fun with your inner child don't let that inner child down. Kids become disappointed when you promise them a fun activity and don't make good on your promise - don't let YOURSELF down! 

I wrote a post last month about why it's important to stay present in the moment and how to lighten your load by dumping clients and projects that waste your time and energy.  That's the first step in the right direction. Why add more stress and frustration onto your plate by taking on the world? 

Here are 3 mini-breathers to add to your work day - and remember don't let yourself down. You'll be more productive and happier as a result.

1. Read or watch an inspirational book or short film.  Don't pick up a business book. Read a few pages a day for pleasure or watch a short video. I highly recommend The Butterfly Circus - a short inspirational film (only takes 20 minutes!) - a beautiful story!

2. Take a walk or do chair yoga for five to ten minutes. Sitting all day isn't good for you and makes both the body and mind stagnant. Get up and move - even if you only have five minutes to spare. 

3. Laugh and don't take yourself or others seriously 24,7. We are business professionals who take what we do seriously, but we don't need to be SERIOUS every minute of the day. Laughter is really the best medicine. I'm a fan of satire and have a friend who always sends me hilarious email forwards and funny texts. Make it a point to read a funny article or joke a day. If you belong to an online discussion forum or social media networking group, lighten up the mood. There's a time and a place to be professional, but don't be afraid to inject humor or share a funny link (remember to keep it clean and appropriate on professional networking groups such as LinkedIn). You don't want to offend people, but you don't have to be a stick in the mud either! 

If you are long overdue for a vacation and your spouse is giving you the evil eye, don't wait until tomorrow or next month. Your business won't crumble if you take a breather. You deserve it - so what are you waiting for? 

 

Why Observation is Your Best Market Research Tool

How many times have you heard the phrase "the powers of observation?" But what exactly does that mean in relationship to market research? We sometimes observe our clients, customers and even our colleagues with an egocentric focus. The ego steers us away from those gut, intuitive feelings that help us really understand and see people for who they are. 

What does all this psychobabble mean? It means it's time to pay attention to your target markets, customers and colleagues. Read between the lines and don't rely on literal translation - let your logical mind take a breather. 

Dig deeper and really listen, focus and observe people. You can use all the technical marketing metrics and tools in the world, but if you don't see human beings for who they are and how they act, think, behave, etc. - you won't truly understand people on a real and authentic level. 

For example, I just joined a new women's group on LinkedIn. I have "met" and interacted with many of these women on other LinkedIn groups. I assumed my powers of observation were right on the money, but I was wrong. It wasn't until I really interacted and dug deeper and shared honest, vulnerable stories, that I had a huge awakening. I realized I didn't really know anything abou them - yes, I knew the superficial facts here and there but that was it.

Their personal experiences shape who they are, not just as professional women, but as human beings. When we interact on the Internet,  it's easy to forget that there is more to people than just a faceless name, and we sometimes take that for granted. Even when we interact face-to-face, our technology distracts us from "really" observing people. 

How can we fine tune our powers of observation as business professionals? 

1. Check out discussion forums, boards, groups, blogs, etc. When you read discussions, pay attention and observe before you comment. When you comment, don't just share your opinion but ask probing questions (in a polite, respectful manner). Dig deeper and look into the "core" of the people interacting on the forum - not just the surface. It's easy to think we know a lot about people and take people at face value. We are all on different paths so don't jump to conclusions and make false assumptions. It can be difficult to get to know someone on the Internet and people hide behind anonymity, but it is possible to shed the cyber layers. 

2. Listen to people and pay attention to your gut instinct. When your customers talk to you, really listen to them. Don't talk at them. Ask their opinions and feedback. Your gut instinct points you in the right direction. How does it feel when you talk to customers? What's not being said? Can your hear frustration in their voice even though they don't come right out and say they are frustrated? 

3. Don't limit yourself to just business books and seminars. Pick up a philosophy, sociology or personal development book. Try out a yoga class. I'm not saying that business books or webinars aren't effective (I read and attend plenty of them). A different perspective can help us view people and our world in new, creative ways - which helps hone our powers of observation.

How are your powers of observation? Do they need a tune-up? 

 

 

The Danger of Information Overload in Business - Why It's Time to Turn Off & Tune In

Mondays are always a great day for  introspection, because I kick off each Monday morning with my Copywriters' Mastermind group. Today the subject of "information overload" was brought up as a group. We concluded that the internet opens up SO MUCH information right at our fingertips that we feel overwhelmed and it's just too much. There are business gurus to follow, articles to read and social networking groups to join!  Ughhh, stop the madness!

The conversation continued as I chatted with a friend I hadn't see online lately. He mentioned he just needed to slide off the 'online grid'  in order to get his business ducks in a row. I know that feeling all too well. Online insta-communication is great, but it can be a double-edged sword - enough to make anyone's head spin off into dizzying directions!

As business professionals, there are days when we really need to turn off our laptops and mobile devices for a few minutes each day. We experience information overload every second of the day, and our monkey mind spins out of control. 

Instead of cramming as much information as possible into your noggin, take the time to turn off in order to tune in. As "free love" as that sounds, it's a healthy approach to take when you feel overwhelmed and can't stuff another fact into your brain.

Between webinars and text messaging, technology makes it very easy for us to communicate and connect on a regular basis. Google's CEO, Eric Schmidt, reports, "Every two days now we create as much information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003. That’s something like five exabytes of data." 

That's a LOT of information we're creating and taking into our poor grey matter. Before you spend your lunch hour consuming the online version of Wall Street Journal, think about turning off the technology and tune into yourself - yes, a novel concept. If you don't take the time for yourself, no one else is going to do it for you. 

1. Walk away from your desk or computer station. Turn off your cell phone and go outside - even if you only have five minutes to spare, take a deep breath and feel the fresh air filling your lungs. As silly as it sounds, people forget to breathe - a deep, slow inhalation not only relaxes the body, but it rids the lungs of toxins and refreshes the brain.

2. Listen to soothing music. Stash the cell phone in your drawer, sink back into a comfortable chair (whether at home or at the office). Don't do any work. Play soft, soothing music for at least five to ten minutes. Close your eyes and just listen.  Music has a calming effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, and soft music relaxes both mind and body.

3. If possible, don't answer work emails or text messages at home. If your job is an "around-the-clock" type position, that might not be possible. But if you can, check out of your office role and check-in at home. Start slowly. Set a timer and make a promise to yourself not to check your Blackberry or laptop for 30 minutes. Make it a priority to relax - play with your dog, hang out with your family or just sit quietly/mediate without being disturbed.

I'm just as busy as the next person, and I find myself caught in the trap of information overload as well. I practice yoga on a regular basis and my teacher said something very prophetic last week that stuck with me: "Yoga is a work-in NOT a work-out."

This statement could be applied to your daily professional grind when it comes to information. We spend so much time focusing on the external - meet that goal, read that article, write that speech...that we forgot about our internal selves. By just taking a  few "ME"  minutes, your energy increases and makes you more productive in the long run - and puts a smile on your face!

Instead of tuning in all the time, give yourself permission to tune out - you'll definitely feel better!