Business Bathtub

The Business Bathtub sounds crazy, I know, but the mythology behind this is invaluable. Running a business often consumes a great deal of our time and when your business is running you it slowly begins to rob you of your sanity, deprive you of your sleep, boxes you into a personal relationship with it while it slowly blocks you from the relationship you once upon a time enjoyed with your loved ones. Let me share some great tips that I have found to work.

(1) Because I currently live in a very loud community ~ in slang terms that would be the hood. I created a schedule for myself since I do not have the luxury of going in my backyard "which I do not have" and lay on a hammock with my tablet to work as the birds are softly humming in the sky. When I go outside to the store there are crowds gathered on almost every corner and when I am inside of my apartment, I have a few neighbors that assume I want to listen to their loud music they play with their doors open. Just imagine trying to sit at my desktop and focus on writing post, working on my websites, writing-up a proposal or implementing some marketing strategies.

Now for the schedule:

(2) I make a list of food and other immediate items I need for the week and head out early in the morning and I take different routes to skip pass the crowds on the corners. When I need to go downtown (Manhattan) I take the express bus to avoid the drama, crowds and those experiencing mental health problems on the train. Although the express bus is a few more bucks I do not mind because it is quiet, I can study for my social work exam or get a few blogs post done.

Here is how the bathtub business works:

(3) the entrance to my apartment leads down a long hallway and a slight turn to my bathroom so the loud music is not heard especially when I go inside of the bathroom and close the door.

Now for the pop question that meshes this all together:

(4) When you fill up your tub to take a bath would you just get in? the average person like me will stick my toes inside the water to test it making sure it is not too hot or too cold before getting inside ~ this is the same approach in business. You must test your products, your services and like the water if it is too hot or too cold you make adjustments until the water feels right for you.

(5) I allow myself a full hour in my bathtub to work on some business stuff, have a glass or 2 of wine, I have a tv in there so I can either watch tv, listen to music or watch a movie while I relax. I have found clarity from sitting in the bathtub because I do check list on what is working and what is not working and from this, I create a to-do-list. Once I come out of the bathroom my relationship with my business has ended for the evening.

(6) I go to bed early so I can rise early, and this is when it is super quiet. I will check the backends of my websites and make updates to my plugins, do a few posts, respond to emails, attend zoom meetings and after 3 to 4 hours I again end my relationship with my business until I am ready for my bath many hours later.

As some readers may have noticed I never mentioned loved ones ~ well yes, I am involved, but I live alone and do not have any small children to care for. For those of you that have families and live in the hood it may not be that easy ~ but you can do it. I would encourage you to modify your plan according to your personal lifestyle (children and your loved ones) and the community you live in. I would not encourage you to take your business in the bed with you ~ allow your bedroom to be a place for quality time with your mate, let the kitchen be a place for quality time with the children / family and DON"T talk about your business at the table.

If you follow these tips, you will see changes happening in your business, you will make better, more informed decisions leading to revenue boost and you can enjoy and maximize your full quality of life.