The art of balancing focus and energy: a guide for overwhelmed entrepreneurs

One of the first lessons I learned as an entrepreneur was the importance of focus and energy, firstly from Carrie Green who shared the expression “where focus goes, energy flows”.  Once you decide to launch your own business, and establish your goals how do you ensure that you remain focused and keep your energy levels up?

As we come to the end of the summer and think about the last 4 months of the year, I thought I’d share this blog about how, the entrepreneurial journey is filled with highs and lows. The constant juggling of tasks and responsibilities can leave us feeling drained and unproductive. But fear not, for this is your reminder that it's okay not to be 100% focused on everything, 100% of the time. I will explore the art of balance and provide you with four practical tips to regain control, enhance focus, maximise energy and grow powerful connections, allowing you to thrive in your entrepreneurial endeavours.

Prioritise with purpose

I know your to-do list seems never-ending, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks demanding your attention. The key to conquering this chaos lies in prioritization with purpose. Focus on identifying the most crucial tasks and projects that align with your long-term business goals.

Start by creating a comprehensive list of all your current commitments. Then use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize them into urgent, important, non-urgent and non-important. Urgent tasks require immediate attention - DO, while important ones contribute significantly to your long-term objectives- DECIDE. Non-urgent and non-important tasks can be either DELEGATED or even DELETED completely.

Once categorized, rank your tasks in order of importance and set realistic deadlines for each. Embrace the "two-minute rule" to clear small tasks quickly, allowing you to create more space for meaningful work. Remember, focusing on your priorities with purpose will lead to more productive and fulfilling days.

Embrace the power of time blocking

Time is an asset for overwhelmed entrepreneurs like us. How we manage it can significantly impact our focus and energy levels. That's where the power of time blocking comes in. Time blocking is a highly effective technique that involves scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks and activities.

Start by allocating dedicated time slots for focused work, client meetings, personal activities, and self-care. During these blocks, eliminate distractions by turning off all notifications and even your phone in order to fully immerse yourself in the task at hand.  I recently lost my phone at sea (#longstory) and whilst I have a new one now, I haven’t yet added my emails or any social media back into it.  It means that once I leave my PC, desk and office, I can actually switch off and just ‘be’.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?  Do you fire on all cylinders in the morning or have your peak of productivity in the middle of the afternoon?  Taking account of your own biological rhythms over the course of the week and even the month can help you skyrocket your productivity.

Remember to include regular breaks in your schedule as well. Consider using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break, with longer breaks after every fourth session.

Remember that time blocking provides structure without being too rigid. It allows for flexibility to deal with unexpected challenges and opportunities, while still ensuring you stay on track with your priorities.

Cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion

As overwhelmed entrepreneurs, the pressure to perform can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. That's why it's crucial to cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion in our lives.

Mindfulness involves being fully present and aware of our thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. Practicing mindfulness regularly can reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and increase overall well-being. Practice mindful breathing, do quick body scans, or take short mindful walks. These practices will help you reconnect with the present moment, providing clarity and peace of mind.

Additionally, be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion. Understand that you are only human, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed at times. Avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk, treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend facing similar challenges.

Find an accountability partner or join a mastermind

Remember that saying that you are the sum of the 5 people you hang out with the most?  Think about them now, are they super positive and do they build you up, pushing you out of your comfort zone or are they lethargic, negative or even worse like the dementors in Harry Potter sucking the energy out of you?  If they’re the latter, then it might be worth taking a step back, installing some boundaries and rethinking who you listen to.  My awesome mentor and friend, Germma Went, has just launched a low-cost community so go check it out. There are also so many others out there, so test them until you find where you really feel at home.

Sharing our goals, objectives, mountain top moments and our struggles really is so powerful and will make all the difference to your business success.

By embracing the art of balance and following these four practical tips, you can regain control, enhance focus, maximise energy, and boost productivity in your entrepreneurial pursuits.

Prioritise your tasks with purpose, embrace the power of time blocking, cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion, and nurture the connections you make. Remember, life is a journey, and finding the right balance of focus and energy will not only lead to business success but also to a more fulfilling and joyful life overall.

Let's navigate the swings and roundabouts of entrepreneurship together, supporting one another along the way. And if you’re tired of being alone on your entrepreneurial journey and would like the support of a bilingual online business consultant then book a call with me here.  I’d be delighted to talk to you and support you in reaching your goals for the rest of this year.

Photo by Margit Bantowsky on Unsplash