Question of the Week: Balancing business and downtime during the holidays?

[JasonH]

Hey Community!

As the holiday season approaches, we know it can be a whirlwind of activity for those running their own businesses. The demands of work can make it challenging to carve out personal downtime, and we want to hear how you navigate this busy time!

🌟 How do you manage your personal downtime during the holidays with the always-on nature of running a business? 

Share your tips and experiences in the comments below! Let’s support each other in creating a balance that allows us to enjoy this festive season while keeping our businesses thriving ☕️

[Akohub]

Hi, I’m Wayne from Akohub. We have heard the same questions several times recently from some of our merchants too. Hope we can help the community. 

We understand navigating the busy holiday season while running a business at the same time is indeed a challenge, but finding ways to manage downtime is essential for maintaining the owners’ well-being and productivity. One effective way is to set clear boundaries between work and personal time. Designate specific hours for business tasks and stick to them, allowing yourself to fully engage in family activities or personal relaxation during your off hours. Additionally, prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities can lighten the load, making it easier to carve out moments for ourselves. 

Furthermore, incorporating a loyalty program can also play a significant role in managing your time during this busy period. By rewarding returning customers, you not only encourage repeat business but also create a sense of community around your brand. This can lead to increased sales with less effort on the owners’ part, as loyal customers will keep returning without the need for extensive marketing efforts, which allows owners to have more time to chill during the holiday season. It can also help streamline customer interactions, as satisfied customers tend to engage more positively and require less hands-on support. 

We hope everyone can manage their time properly between work and personal life during the holiday season. For more marketing strategies we’re welcome to anyone to book a demo with us! We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.

[JasonH]

Hey Wayne! I really like your ideas about setting boundaries and launching a loyalty program. I find that fresh ideas often come when we step away from our daily work like during a run or while trying to frame the perfect photo. Wishing you a fantastic holiday season!

[MitzztheShopper]

I would say - planning and setting boundaries are key. Managing personal time during the holiday session while running a business is definitely a balancing skill, but I've learned that with planning and setting boundaries, you may succeed.
My tips: 
1) Schedule time in advance for family, friends, and, of course, self-care just like I would any important business task.
2) Automating processes and using tools like scheduled emails, social media posts, and inventory systems allows me to step away without everything coming.

I also remind myself that stepping back to recharge is good for the business. A clear mind and renewed energy allow me to return with fresh ideas and better focus. It’s all about finding small moments of rest and staying present during those times.

[JasonH]

@MitzztheShopper I totally agree with you on the planning and boundaries when it comes to managing personal time. Like you said, it really does take some practice to get it right. Staying present in those moments is so important, and I love your tips on scheduling and automating tasks to carve out more time for ourselves!

[ariane_b]

Along with what's already been said, I'd say ensuring you have systems in place to let you know if something's on fire, and then being able to triage any conflagration quickly & accurately is one of the best ways to be able to step away without nagging worries. If you can glance at one dashboard, without leaving the hot tub, and know that nothing's on fire, down time for you is real, and not for your business.  

[JasonH]

@ariane_b Love this idea! I can totally see setting up notifications for the hot tub getaway can be such a stress relief. Having a dashboard with only urgent notification will reach your cellphone offers great peace of mind. Without swiping open the dashboard constantly, you can focus on relaxation while staying on top of your business operation. 

[JasonH]

@elianajohn Balancing is tricky, and I can't argue on that! Finding that work-life balance is a well-deserved conversation we'll need to have with ourselves. Sticking to a set schedule can be tough, but it's 100% achievable. I've picked up some tips from the book Atomic Habits that the process out wins the goals.

Like you said, scheduling, delegating, and automating work hand in hand in keeping the communication and business running, especially during this time of the year. Just remember to take care of yourself and put your family first and spend time with them!