If you’re currently on your 5th cup of coffee and feel too busy to read this blog…then this message is for you. The bottom line is: Our human brains aren’t wired to multi-task, and always be doing something at every second of the day. Believe it or not, by stuffing more work into our day, we’re actually training our brains to be more unproductive. Here at Dexter & Co., we take this matter very seriously for the health and well-being of our employees.
Being busy creates the myth of constant progress in your business. However, motion isn’t progress. Succeeding in your business is more important than satisfying other people’s perception of what it means to be successful. Here are some reasons why being busy can harm your business.
Bad Customer Service
When you’re employees are too busy, all the superior service details that set you apart from your competitors tend to fall off the radar. The small touches that make for a memorable customer experience such as a welcome gift, a friendly phone call or email tend to become forgotten. As a result, your customers aren’t getting as much attention they deserve. This may result in your customers working with one of your competitors.
Being Too Busy Hurts Your Health
Your business is reliant on your physical and mental health and well-being. Even if you have a team in place and can delegate tasks to people, you need to be on top of your vision and long-term growth strategy as a business. Studies show that we’re not using all our vacation days, and working longer hours than expected. The long hours, sleepless nights, extra cups of coffee, and stress all can wreak havoc on your health in the long-run, both physically and mentally.
Low Employee Morale
From not having the time to coach and mentor your employees to scheduling too many useless meetings and check-ins, your busy behavior can lead to low employee morale. We know that when you’re busy, your stress level goes up. Guess who this can impact? That’s right, your team members. Your team absorbs your frantic behavior and that negatively affects the quality and productivity of their work. Which in return, creates a domino effect of mistakes that could cost your small business big.
Having unrealistic expectations or unreasonable workloads can greatly harm your business.
Being Too Bust Leaves No Room For Creativity
Have you ever realized that you get your business ideas and ways to improve your company occur to you when you’re in the shower or taking, eating a meal, or spending time with your friends and family? Well, there’s a scientific reason behind this! Creativity takes a back seat when you’re constantly busy and have no time to rest your brain.
Reward Results, Not Hours
If you’re a business owner, and employees are reporting to you, think about the role you play in encouraging employees to put in excessively long hours at work. Most bosses view those who spend long hours at the office more favorably compared to those who don’t.
However, having this mindset harms people: It pushes them to neglect their mental health and sacrifice a lot of family time. It also prevents them from becoming more efficient in their job. People want to compete with one another. They to get ahead in their job and become more favorable compared to someone else. As a business owner, it’s your job to get the message across to everyone that success is measured by results and not hours clocked in to work.
Incorporate Rest Periods When You’re Too Busy
Taking a break is a necessity, even at work. Most people are good at planning their workday from hour to hour, without any thought of incorporating a rest period between activities, meetings and events. Instead, get in the habit of deciding in advance how you’ll break up your work during the day to re-energize your mind and body.
Some ideas include reading a book for 10 minutes, catching up on social media, meditating, listening to music, going for a walk (even if it’s around the office) or doing a couple of stretching exercises. Overall, its important to schedule time in your calendar for yourself. Writing down in your calendar when you will be taking a break from work is just as important as writing down when your next meeting is. Whether it’s half an hour a day or an hour a week, set time aside to focus on the big picture.
