Making these small everyday changes can improve your wellness and help you feel more motivated and inspired at work.
Take a break
If you’ve got an ever-growing to-do list or you have a deadline to meet, it can be tempting to keep working until you get it done, but taking a break is so important.
Pressing pause and stepping away from your desk, even if it’s just for ten minutes, is really beneficial to both your mental health and your business - it can help you refocus which in turn increases productivity and reduces stress. Regular breaks can also give you the headspace to process information and come up with other ideas.
Go outside
We’re not suggesting you should go for a ten mile walk every day! It could be a short run, a walk round the block or eating lunch outside when the weather is warmer.
Getting fresh air can improve your health and wellbeing, and also help you sleep better - so you’ll be on top form at work the next day!
Be picky
When you run your own business, it can be tempting to say yes to everything, even if you know it’s not the right fit, but one of the benefits of working for yourself is you can choose who you work with.
Working for someone you don’t click with can make things very difficult and stressful for you, whereas liking the people you work with can boost performance and team morale. Saying no to working with someone may be hard but it will save you a lot of stress and worry in the long run.
Don’t undersell yourself
We know it can be difficult to ask for more money when discussing fees, especially when so many industries have had a tough year and may have cut their budgets, but make sure you know your worth and are happy with your terms. Check out our page on deal negotiations for help with this.
Set boundaries
As a small business, we know this is a tricky one! Where possible, try not to let work life slip into your home life. Maybe set a time for when you will switch off your computer and do something for yourself or spend time with your family.
Make sure to tell others when your work hours are, too – people often assume that if you work from home that they can call whenever they like, so letting them know when you are available will help you stay more focussed.
Eat well
Try to eat something healthy for lunch each day. If you struggle for time, you could batch cook meals on a Sunday and prepare your lunches for the week. That way you can grab a healthy meal no matter how busy you are.
Be realistic
The start of a new year can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if everyone else is setting new goals and making exciting plans. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to achieve more than you can realistically manage as if things don’t work out, it can knock your confidence. Try not to compare yourself to others and go at your own pace.
Be kind to yourself
This is probably the most important of all. If things don’t turn out the way you planned, don’t be hard on yourself. Silence that inner critic and take time to reflect on what you have achieved and what you’re grateful for.
Happy New Year from all at The Arts VA!
The Arts News
Into the Woods is set to appear at the Theatre Royal Bath in the summer. The musical, which was previously set for the Old Vic but got cancelled, will run from 19th August to 10th September.
An evening celebrating some of our favourite musicals, including Frozen, Dear Evan Hansen, The Lion King and The Wiz will take place at Manchester’s AO Arena on 24th January. The National Lottery’s Big Night Of Musicals will be hosted by Jason Manford, with thousands of tickets going to National Lottery-funded community and grassroots arts organisations.
Get in Touch...
If you are interested in working with a VA, head to our contact us page to arrange a chat with Charlie.
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