Written By Janet M. Taylor
Recently I was talking to a client that is transitioning from one career she has been doing for decades which is draining her emotionally and physically to something she is passionate about. During our weekly call she mentioned she is feeling the pressure from her family (the kids told their father they miss spending time with Mom) as well as feeling like things are slipping throw the cracks at home ( the kids missed a few projects) and work ( she feels her supervisor is not satisfied with her work). She said I need to learn how to prioritize and I told her she is on the right track. She already knows what she wanted at the top of her list her husband, her children and her full-time job and I provided her with a plan to bring balance back into her life.
Decide how much you need to make. I told her that her first assignment was to establish the amount she felt comfortable earning each month from her growing business. I told her this information would help her plan the amount of time she needed to set aside each month to focus on the sales and clients. So instead of working 7 nights a week and every weekend in addition to her demanding full-time job, her goal was to work no more that 2 nights each week and 2 weekends each month.
Establish off limit times. I know from experience that when you are starting your business you want to be available for clients. I told her that since her family and primary job are a priority I want her to establish times when she will block off time for family only activities For example when I schedule meetings I always email a few times when I am available since I am onsite during other times. I told her that her next assignment was to look at her schedule and block out days when she will spend time with her husband and the kids first and then schedule appointments with clients around that. I know businessmen and women who do the opposite and if your spouse is not involved in the business doing this can cost you your marriage as well as impact your relationship with your children.
Get the kids involved. She shared with me that one evening when she was up late working her business the next day the kids told her that would have helped her making labels and stuffing envelopes. Her next assignment was to list all the things she does that her kids could do. After our discussion we discovered the kids could do the following:
1) Print mailing labels
2) Update client database
3) Manage inventory
4) Track expenses
5) Organize items needed for exhibiting
6) Packing the car when she travels for presentations
I also suggested that she schedule meeting with the kids to help them stay on track of things that need to be done.
Take care of you. All of my clients hear the speech about taking care of themselves. As the caregivers, parents and providers people are depending of us in one way or another. I asked my client when was the last time she had me time without the husband and kids? She told me that it was when she attended a weeklong business conference in which she commuted daily. I told her that did not count. She said she had fun, I told her that was good but I wanted her to list things she wanted to do that made her happy that were not work related. Her goal was to schedule in Me or Mom and provide with a date and her plans at our next session.
The session ended with her saying that I really look forward to our weekly calls they give me the direction and clarity I need.
Janet M. Taylor is a life strategist, professional organizer, speaker and author with over 20 years of experience helping people get organized. If you are ready to get your life totally organized visit her website at www.janetmtaylor.com
