Creating Ebb & Flow in Business

Looking after the ebb & flow in business harnesses the power of your creativity to grow.

What is Ebb & Flow?

Inspired by the “Unlocking Us Podcast” Brene Brown talks with Karen Walrond on Accessing Joy & Finding connection in the midst of Struggle.

Ebb & flow resembles the months, the seasons, the tides, the rise and fall of your energy in the day and in the weeks. The power of using ebb and flow is to start using this understanding of yourself to plan for your best work.

We know the power of action and therefore the power of rest must have a equal opportunity and power!

(Take a listen to the podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UtfB3KfyySJneMV1onqcU?si=c41058f8e4024335)

The Ideal Day

When you run a business, you must give yourself permission to set it up around your needs. If you do not, you will burn out and run dry. You need to plan your time around when you work best and what is available to you. You do not have to work harder to achieve success you have to work smarter, and this is really where that idea begins.

For example: start breaking down what is important to you in the day

6am – Wake up, quiet time coffee, read, listen to a pod cast, stretch, meditate, pray

7am – Kids wake up, get ready for the day. Some mornings I coach, others I swim.

8.30am – Partner leaves. Either him or I do care/ kinder drop off

9 – 2pm – work uninterrupted FOCUSED time care/ kinder pick up.

2 – 7pm – Kids. I need to leave work in another room.

7 – 9pm – Unwind, stretch, clean, walk, listen to podcast, time with Partner. Work or coach when required and one evening a week PT.

9pm – Phone off, unwind no screens.

What am I happy with? I am happy with what I have done in my business with the time that I have. I have done this through FOCUSSED time, which allows me not too to procrastinate

What can I improve? I can continue to improve and ensure my phone goes off at 9pm, I have been hit or miss on this.

What would I like more off? More creative time for planning and writing courses/ content/ learning

How will I implement this? I will schedule solo business retreats on a weekend every few months

This will shape the Habits that become your lifeline

The habits you create outside of your business will create resiliency and joy when things are going well and when things are not going well. Because habits are the automatic behaviors, we establish that we use every day.

"First, we make a habit and then it makes us" (James Clear Atomic Habits).

So, the question is, how do you want to live your day? and then you must dictate that or something else will.

The power of FOCUS Your minds attention is like a Flashlight. You cannot put it across many things at once – it darts between the two. Learning to pay attention is when we are most present in the moment, and we all know paying attention can take practice

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Research has shown that the power of prayer & meditation every day, even if a couple of minutes, increases the minds capacity to FOCUS and pay attention

One of the biggest contributors to building my business with 10 hours per week has been FOCUS. I want you to include at least twice in your week uninterrupted FOCUS time – turn off distractions including your phone.

(Here is another great podcast from Brene Brown on Dare to Lead on Finding Focus and owning your attention. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Lg7eUMHbMt2Neo5c6ReJa?si=16b2dbd88bb946e4)

The power of CREATIVITY

Creativity includes activities of self-care, coffee with a friend, grounding, time in nature, sports we enjoy, arts, time alone, journaling.

Creating time in your schedule for personal and work creativity is Important. When life gets BUSY it’s the first thing we drop. It must become the first thing we KEEP! Because creativity aids focus which aids problem solving and strategic thinking. Your best ideas will come as you look after this!

So with all of this in mind I want you to plan for your ideal week below - because if you don't plan for it, it doesn't happen.

Your ideal Week - fill it in!

Monday - 1:1 time with one of my sons

Tuesday - business

Wednesday - time with my boys, some business (when they're playing nicely!!)

Thursday - business

Friday - time with my boys

Saturday - family time, jobs, adventure, cleaning

Sunday - church & rest

To Conclude

Now the power in this BLOG will not just be reading it, but going away and applying what stands out to you. Use this like a worksheet to consider your ideal day, your ideal week and what matters to you. You are 100% responsible for your time, desires, well being and business. You get to create the type of business that serves you and your family. Yes hard work will be required - but don't just grind or hustle harder! Work smarter aligned to your energy.

Create Ebb & Flow, look out for helpful and unhelpful patterns with time and remember to have some FUN!