Seizing Opportunities and Scaling your Business: Aspirations of the Next Level Entrepreneur

When it comes to business, seizing new opportunities and scaling our businesses to reach new levels of growth are invitable tasks. In order to see that growth, we must learn to close lucrative deals, build deeper connections with our teams and employees, and focus on creating a healthier balance between our personal and professional lives. This essay will discuss all these tactics and how, when implemented into our businesses, allow us to reach new heights of success.

With today's hectic lifestyle and demanding workload, it is easy to become overwhelmed and lose time on important personal activities. Reclaiming lost time can be challenging, but by taking proactive measures such as creating a buffer zone between work and personal life, managing stress, and enforcing boundaries on how much time is dedicated to work and how much is dedicated to personal interests, it is possible to effectively balance work and personal life (Glen, "How to Balance Work and Personal Interests"). Strategies such as setting Specific Time limits for work activities, delegating tasks when possible and identifying solutions for when too much work is required of you for a given task can also help to manage stress and increase productivity (Chinoy, "Time Management and Stress Relief"). Becoming a more efficient time manager can benefit both your professional and personal life, enabling you to make the most of your day and minimize wasted time.

Leading a busy lifestyle has become increasingly difficult with the demands that come with maintaining employment, leisure activities, and personal relationships. Creating a balance between work and personal interests can be tricky, yet it is still possible. To ensure that time is managed efficiently, it is important to allot specific times to take breaks from work and dedicate the time to self-care activities such as reading a book, going for a walk, or even just sitting outside and enjoying nature. Taking breaks throughout the day can help to reduce stress and boost productivity (Will, 2017). Additionally, it is beneficial to develop a buffer zone between personal life and work by establishing boundaries and limits with coworkers (Grimes, 2019). By carving out time for rest and relaxation, one can create a healthier and safer lifestyle that is not only allows for time to time all responsibilities, but also allows feelings of contentment, calmness, and relaxation.

When it comes to taking a break while operating under a busy lifestyle, timing is key. According to the Harvard Business Review (HBR), “managing [our] time wisely is essential for increasing productivity” (DaSilva). Taking regular breaks from work is beneficial for one’s health and well-being, allowing them to remain sharp and focused ("Take a Break"). However, breaks should be timed "appropriately, to maximize the positive effects of recuperation and minimize the negative ones” (DaSilva). Therefore, for busy individuals, it is important to determine a micro-schedule of when and how long to take breaks in order to be productive and healthy.

Taking time to seize new opportunities such as promotions, learning to close lucrative deals, and scaling one’s business may seem daunting and time consuming, yet it is worth the effort as “over 75 percent of career advancements come from taking calculated risks” and “aligning employees’ skills with the company’s current needs” (Marcano). At the same time, taking a step back from one’s business to focus on personal life is also important in order to reduce stress and fatigue and reward those who may have made great efforts towards the business. As Suddeth emphasizes, “downtime can be just as important as breakneck speed to fruitful journeys” (190). Taking a step back and engaging in a personal life can not only help you to reconnect with yourself, but also revive your enthusiasm for work.

Seizing new opportunities, learning to close lucrative deals, and building deeper connections with your team/employees are all essential elements to obtaining a healthier balance between your personal and professional life. Doing so can enable your business to reach new levels of growth, allowing you to achieve success on multiple levels. Therefore, it is important to take some time to identify and go after new opportunities, close powerful deals, and build relationships with your employee so that you can reach your true potential. Grimes, Nikki. “7 Ways to Set Better Boundaries with Coworkers.” The Muse, The Muse, 20 Feb. 2019, www.themuse.com/advice/7-ways-to-set-better-boundaries-at-work.

Dr. Terry Jackson is Executive Advisor, Thought Leader Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coach, Top 10 Global Mentor, and Thinkers50 Top 50 Global Coach Transformation Coach. Dr. Jackson partners with Executives and Organizations to align Strategy, People and Processes to transform and sustain Peak Business Performance.

References:

Chinoy, Ely. “Time Management and Stress Relief.” The Muse, The Muse, 15 Mar. 2019, https://www.themuse.com/advice/time-management-and-stress-relief .

DaSilva, Renato. "Time Management Is About More Than Lifehacks." Harvard Business Review, https://hbr.org/2018/02/time-management-is-about-more-than-lifehacks .

Glen, Emily. “How to Balance Work and Personal Interests.” The Balance Careers, The Balance Careers, 18 Dec. 2019, www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-balance-work-and-personal-interests-2061564 .

Marcano, Fabiola. “4 Ways to Take Risks for Better Career Opportunities.” The Balance, 4 Apr. 2017, www.thebalance.com/career-risks-2061154 .

Suddeth, Philip G. “Winning Strategies for Business and Life.” Mastering Strategic Management, edited by David, Fred R., vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, 2017, pp. 189-200

"Take a Break." Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Nov. 2019, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/take-a-break/art-20044897.

Will, Chelsea. “The Benefits of Taking Breaks at Work.” The Muse, The Muse, 2 Apr. 2017, www.themuse.com/advice/the-benefits-of-taking-breaks-at-work.