Downtime. We all have it, even if we don’t want to admit it. Downtime in our business might be seen to some as a business that’s floundering. In most cases, that’s not the truth. The truth is, all types of businesses have their quiet times…it might be a few hours, a few days or even a few weeks, but it happens.
Now that we’re here in the dog days of summer, a lot of us are experiencing a bit of downtime. People are on vacation, nobody is making decisions, and time seems to stand still as people spend more time daydreaming on hot afternoons than they do in the office.
So what’s a savvy business owner to do?
Start Something New
Remember that podcast you’ve always wanted to produce? Or that book outline you’ve been struggling to find time to write? Or maybe, like me, you have a dusty old blog that needs a little TLC. Whatever it is, your downtime is the perfect time to pick away at it! You never know, a little effort now and it might blossom into something huge!
Open New Doors
It can be a little more difficult to prospect in the summertime when people tend to be away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try! Go to your LinkedIn contacts and pick 10 people that you’re going to reach out to in the next week. Set up some coffee dates in your wide open schedule, and see where it takes you!
Make a List
It’s important during your downtime to stay at least somewhat productive. After all, a mind at rest tends to stay at rest! Even if you’re working from home, get up every day, get dressed, and make a list of things you want to accomplish. Maybe it’s finally getting around to setting up that savings account with your bank (so you can fill it when business picks up again!). Or perhaps it’s cleaning up your Dropbox or Google Drive. Inbox Zero? No time like the present! Put it on your to do list and get it done!
Take a Break
In this hectic life, we tend to get caught up in wearing “busy” as a badge of honour. But you know what? It’s ok to be not busy once in a while. In fact, when we’re flat out swamped, we long for hours or days or even weeks where we don’t have a lot on the go. So, it’s okay to give yourself permission to take a much needed break. Shut the laptop. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Play with the dog.
Everyone uses their downtime differently. Successful business owners know how to capitalize on their downtime, to not only move their business forward, but to rest up for when the craziness ensues again.
What do you do with your downtime?
