If you’re a social butterfly like me, chances are you’ve been going to a lot of events this month. Not only that but can we say Star Wars? It seems as if December is the month for not getting anything done, but the reality is our businesses don’t run themselves. (Or at least not yet. I’m working on it.)
So how do you get back to work after you’ve been having a merry ole time? How do you actually drag your behind to your office and meet your deadlines? Here are some tips I’ve perfected throughout the years.
Realize it’s only a season.
I’m extremely Type-A sometimes. This means I can be a little controlling and possibly feel like socializing is causing me to keep my eyes off my business for too long. And if I keep my eyes off my business then I sometimes feel like everything will fall apart.
Sound familiar?
There are two things we need tor realize here. First, it’s okay to socialize and take a break. It’s a major part of being human. Second, it’s only temporary.
Now, if I was going out like this all the time, then yes, it would be a problem. However, it’s only for December. I know that this is temporary and come January I’ll be back on my A-game.
Realize work and play don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
When I first quit my job to freelance full-time, I mistakenly thought that my schedule would be very linear. At my old job, I had a set time when I would play (AKA when I wasn’t at the office) and then a set time to get back to work.
Guess what?
You can forget about all of that when you run a business. Quite frankly, the life of a business owner is anything but linear and the lines between work and play are very blurred – especially if you like what you do.
For example, I’ve been to a lot of holiday networking events this month. Now, since I live in Miami this is actually code for parties at swanky restaurants and hotels, but I’m technically working. I just happen to be working at a rooftop bar in downtown Miami.
The same thing happens when I travel to conferences. I may not have a normal schedule and there are tons of events, but at the end of the day, it’s work.
All of this is to say, work and play don’t have to be separate. Maybe you don’t even need to “get back to work” because you’re technically already working. It just doesn’t feel like a grind and that’s where the confusion lies.
Realize there are more important things in life.
During the first two years of freelancing full-time, I was my own worst boss. I would make myself get back to work during the holiday season, didn’t take a vacation for an entire year and became a social recluse.
While I don’t regret it (it did help me get to where I am, after all), I am very clear about the fact that there are more important things than making money.
It’s almost as if you have to hold two opposing views at the same time. You have to realize that making money is important, but you can’t make it more important than it actually is.
In a weird way, I can tell you that this concept has been the secret to my success. I allow myself to have fun now, and I know I can get back to work at the next opportunity.
