10 Steps to “Not Overworking” by a moderately successful business owner.

I’m not a family counsellor or a business coach. I’m not a therapist and I haven’t written a best selling “Self Help” book. I have however run my own business for 17 years whilst my wife and I have raised 4 amazing children.?

Our last was actually born a few months after Hotwire started. My kids are all now adults (the last one is 17) and I enjoy a great relationship with them all.?

I am constantly frustrated by the glorification of working long hours on LinkedIn. It is simply not healthy and not something I’ve never done. Yet, I would regard my business as “moderately successful”. So here are my “10 steps to Not Overworking by a moderately successful business owner.

1. Realise what is important

Sure, having lots of money is great. If I had spent more time in the office and worked longer hours I am certain I would have earned more money. My business would definitely be larger, I would probably have a nicer house and some better “toys”. But I wouldn’t be richer. My wife and I enjoy a great relationship with our kids. They have always known that they are a priority in our lives, and now as adults they seek us out to spend time with us and continue to come on family holidays.?

Your family is always more important than what is going on in the office.?

Realise what’s important

2. Take your kids with you

I travel regularly (Except during Covid!). My company has clients across Australia so there is no way to avoid having to be away. There are often conferences or exhibitions in other states. So I've simply taken my kids with me. Not all at once mind you, that would have been crazy, but one at a time. My conferences are often in nice hotels so they have had a great time. When I have been busy they’ve stayed in the room, watched movies and ordered room service! If they were old enough they’ve spent time at the pool or enjoying other features of the hotel. My work became something fun for them because they got a weekend away in a great hotel.?

We even timed a family holiday on the Gold Coast around a conference. I simply stayed on a little longer for the conference. Several years later I doubt the kids even remember that I stayed on for a conference.?

Travel with your kids

3. Exercise

We’re all different, some of us are morning people, some work better at night. So there is not a one size fits all approach to this. However, if you prioritize exercise into your week, or even better your day, you will be better focused and accomplish much more at work. Then you won’t feel like you need to stay there as long.?

Keep yourself in shape

4. Just go home

Simple right. Staying in the office is a decision. There is always more to be done, there is always another proposal, another email, another task that needs to be completed. Set yourself a time to finish work and just finish. Turn off the computer and go home. It really is that simple.?

Pro-tip. The off button is normally on the top of the computer and looks like a circle.?

Go home

5. Work Profile

Android phones have a great feature called “Work Profile”. It’s like having two phones in one. Put all the work apps in the work profile, email, sms etc. Then after work switch off the work profile. You won’t see another email, sms or notification until you turn it back on.?

It’s also great for holidays. It enables you to continue to use the personal apps and features of your phone whilst not seeing any notifications or reminders from apps you use for work.?

Turn your phone off

6. No phones at the table

This one spills over from work to home life a little, but we don’t have phones at the dinner table. None of our family are allowed to have their phones when we are eating dinner. Myself included. It is a short period of time where we are a family. If a phone rings we ignore it, if someone gets a message it remains unread. If an email comes in we leave it. For that time it is just us. Even your teenagers will be okay without their phones for a short period of time.?

Our phones are left in a pile in the kitchen or the lounge room. If they are in your pocket you will just be distracted.?

Put your phone down

7. Change your email notifications

Constant email notifications are the enemy of productivity. You will actually achieve much more in your day if you reduce the regularity of your inbox updating. Gmail is terrible at allowing you to do this. However, you can download an add on called “Boomerang” that will enable you to update the inbox at a regularity that works for you, or simply pause your inbox while you are working.?

Most other programs allow you to set the regularity you choose for your inbox update.?

Ignore your inbox

8. Delegate

If you're a business owner or a manager it is very easy to fall for the trap that “no one can do the job as well as you”. You might even be right. It may very well be that there is no one else that can do the tasks you need to be completed as well as you. Even if your staff can do it 80 - 90% as well as you, delegate. If the task gets done 90% as well as you could have done it but you can be home for dinner it’s a win for everyone.?

You will preserve your sanity and get your life back.?

Delegate

9. Change your motivation

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Do you get up thinking about all the things that need doing that day to run your business or manage your department? Or do you get up thinking about your family or something else you enjoy in life?

What motivates you? If the first thing you are thinking of is work, perhaps you need to reset. Take a day off, play golf, take the kids to the beach, spend time with your partner. Think about what is actually important in life and reset.?

My family has always been most important, so when it came to working on that last project or going home it was an easy decision. It is rare that work is the first thing I am thinking of in the morning.?

Motivation

10. Change

If the future simply can’t change because of the business you own, or the company you work for, change it. Sell the business, apply for a new job. Companies that are worth working for value your time with your family. I have often pulled my staff aside and told them to turn their phone off or shut their laptop and go home.??

If there is no way out from the burden of your business, sell it, close it, move on. Life is too short.

Change

So work the hours you want to work. Work 40, work 30 or even better 20. Spend time with your family and enjoy your life. You only get one of them.

Luke Chant is the owner of Hotwire Heating. Hotwire distributes Under Floor Heating and Heated Towel Rails across Australia. www.hotwireheating.com.au?