How do you find time for yourself when you’re running a business?

As a business owner or just any owner of managing time, commitments, deadlines and responsibilities. Between the consultations, the shoots, the editing, the house work, the blogging, the workout, the meet-ups  – how do you carve out anytime for the you. It seems like all the above are necessities but when it comes to the you time, it’s something that is put on the back burner, for a less busy day. And I’m  not talking about finding time for a  full day’s spa session (although I am not against the idea), I’m talking the time it would take to finish a cup of tea.

For me, I have learnt that I need the you time. Last year the wedding season and other areas of my business were busy, something that I am never going to complain about. But, when I saw washing that was piling up around me and general house work gone to pot, the reoccurring ‘no’ to friends at their invitations, the sea of editing deadlines, the endless hours I was locked in my office – it became a little overwhelming. Not meltdown territory, but I need a plan territory. And before anyone has to say it, I travelled a lot last year,so many  of the deadlines I placed on myself. But, hear me out…

I realised that I couldn’t and didn’t want to run a business where I had to have my breakfast and lunch at my desk. Where the idea of sitting down to enjoy a mug of tea, whilst dare I say it –  flipping through a magazine – or catching up with a few pages of your latest read –   were out of the question ideas. I want to run a business where I can indulge in and be the master of my own time. That doesn’t translate to laziness. Far from it. For me it’s all about organisation and preparation. This year I feel confident that I will be able to carve out time, even if it’s just 10 minutes to finish a mug of tea whilst flipping through a magazine, reading my favourite blogs, or eating breakfast any where I want but my desk. I am armed with folders, calendars and to do list’s. Step by step processes and manageable time frames that comply with my clients expectations. I am learning not to yes to every single job that is offered. That sometimes spending time with the people who I love in  my life is a bigger investment to my business that taking every job. I am a true believer that our businesses is a reflection of ourselves.  And I am a reflection of the people who invest in my life. Taking time out for you isn’t selfish. It isn’t lazy. It’s perfect sense. I dare you and I to indulge and enjoy.

”Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Happy Wednesday! xx