Be Brave: How to nurture yourself and maximise your time

Cindy Rella shared a moment where she stepped out of her comfort zone

This week we held the YTM Business Connect In-person progressive dinner.

Perhaps you are wondering what a YTM “progressive dinner” offers ? Well, the men and women attending this business networking opportunity, were able to connect with other service providers, business owners and professionals who seek to grow their business by building trusted relationships, while combining it with personal and professional development, thus maximising their time.

Our facilitated format, provides relaxed structure where even the shyest person feels comfortable and it is always heartening to hear of the latest wins and opportunities, without pressure to perform.

Over a delicious two course meal, our guests engaged in purposeful conversations and reaffirmed that there is so much to gain from connecting on a deeper level, sharing challenges, interests, networks and opportunities.

Your greatest business asset

Our topic at this dinner focused on looking after yourself. We are well aware from the 3000 business professionals we have engaged with over the past 89 years that many people running a business are working excessive hours per week building their client base, directing teams, managing the operations and keeping customers happy which places high demands on the individual, both mentally and physically.

A panel of experts, Cindy Rella, Liam Twomey, and Melonie Taylor shared their insights and personal challenges, and how they have had to “Be brave” in their own lives and develop strategies to look after themselves , achieve their goals and contribute to community in their own unique way.

Scheduling time is a necessity not a luxury

Sue Glasser, Productivity and Mindset coach , and YTM Partner and Member involved us in an activity examining our own self care.

We discussed how scheduling time into your week is a necessity, not a luxury.

Managing your time

Perhaps you are thinking how can I make it work?

The evening reminded me of a chapter in my book, where I shared knowledge that I had gained from a valuable workshop , I attended some years ago.

We were instructed to start by reflecting on the various roles you play each week.

For example, at that time my roles were:

• Mother

• Wife

• Daughter

• Friend

• Sister

• Aunty

• Neighbour

• Part-time employee (three days per week).

At that time, I was also the primary carer for my elderly mother who needed to be taken to medical appointments. That responsibility took precedence during this period, so I scheduled my time and adjusted my activities accordingly.

Priorities shifted over time, and found me helping out at school or taking my friend to her chemotherapy session was the highest priority in that particular week. Now a days, it would be time working on my business and client meetings.

Your need to consider your own needs and plan for emotional, physical, social and intellectual pursuits each week. This should be a priority. The discipline of weekly planning and implementation is not easy, however it is an essential tool and a good reminder that everyday choices make a huge difference when it comes to making the most of your precious time.

7 considerations for managing your time

There are a number of recurring considerations that should be factored into your time planning.

I have compiled the following list to create a ready reckoner of the key factors together with tips for managing your time:

• Plan of attack—Start by thinking about where your life is out of balance. Are you spending too much time at work and not enough time at home? Are you working on the weekends instead of spending time with friends and family? What will make you happy and how can you make some adjustments?

• Family obligations—Take into consideration the people who matter to you most and see how you can spend more quality time with them. Also be aware that the relationships are two way and you have to give to gain.

• Delegate—It’s easy to fall into the trap of doing everything yourself–it often feels faster and cheaper. But it may well be time to delegate the things that can be done by someone else. Set up systems and find the help you need so that when you delegate there are clear instructions on what needs to be done and your preferred approach.

• Schedule time for yourself—Make time to relax and recharge.

• Prioritise—The key to finding harmony is the ability to prioritise. You have to realistically know what needs to be done first and what can be pushed back to a later time. This applies in our personal and professional lives.

• The art of saying ‘No’—We often want to please others and so we take on more and more because someone has asked us to. Sooner or later you have to say no to some things in order to find the equilibrium.

• One thing at a time—Multitasking was once seen as the way to get things done but realistically it’s easier to focus on one thing; finish it and then move on to the next thing.

Hopefully I have prompted some thought and conversation that will help you to adjust your thinking and set yourself up for success. Remember, you must protect your greatest business asset- You! so be brave and make some changes today!

I’d love to hear what you will schedule as your self care over the coming week, so please comment below.

Bye for now,

Kerryn Powell, The Network Catalyst and founder of Your Time Matters

If you are keen to maximise your business networking potential and combine it with personal and professional development, you may like to check out what other topics we have on the YTM Business Connect agenda and join us online or In-person soon.