The body clock we are all
born with is responsible for whether you are a morning or night person. This
invisible force may also dictate what type of small business might be right for
you.
The internal timepiece
determines if you are a "lark" or "early bird", meaning the
kind of person who is up at dawn, sharp as a tack and raring to go full force.
If you are lethargic and apathetic in the morning but lively, energetic and on
point during the late night hours, you are an "owl." The rest of us
are "hummingbirds" – ready for action in the morning or late at
night. Some experts argue that hummingbirds may gravitate toward being
"larks" or "owls" but generally are productive at anytime.
So what's a
"larkish" business owner to do when running a business requires some
late night hours? And is it possible for an "owl" to ever get
anything done during the early morning hours or even before lunch?
The sleep factor
The solution is simple: In
order to make the most of your day you've got to make the most of your night –
no matter what your body clock regulates. The key to everything is sleep and
getting enough of it. Nearly everyone needs at least eight hours of sleep,
according to various sleep experts. Sleep deprivation can lead to serious
health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and mental illness. Some
sleeping disorder scientists contend that just one week of decreased sleep will
hinder your ability to fight infections, manage stress and properly process
carbohydrates.
Energetic schedules
Entrepreneurs should
schedule their days based almost exclusively on their energy level. For
example, "larkish" people should work on projects that require
concentration and attention to detail in the morning. Whenever possible,
larkish business owners should hold staff and client meetings early in the
morning, before lunch. This is especially important if the meetings are
expected to be lengthy, intense and even contentious.
Reserve the afternoon hours
for sorting through the mail, responding to e-mails and holding informal or
perhaps one-on-one interviews or meetings. Simply put, night owls should do the
opposite. Do the easy stuff in the morning and the more cumbersome and tedious
tasks in the afternoon or early evening.
Nap time
Back in the 1980s business
people used the power lunch to energize. Now we use the power nap. Believe it
or not, a quick 20-minute nap can nearly recharge and restore your body clock
to its full potential. It might also be a good idea as a business owner to
offer this luxury to some of your employees. Some savvy and progressive mid to
large companies encourage employees to take a "cat nap" during the
course of hectic workday. In fact, some firms even provide a "nap" or
snooze room for workers. In some cases, a 20-minute nap will boost your energy
and proficiency level more than a cup of coffee or sugar laced cookie or donut.
Healthy Lifestyle
Entrepreneurs often work
excessively long hours in order to establish and maintain their dream job of
self-employment. Frequently, things such as visits to the doctor and regular
check-ups are neglected or put on the back burner. While we all are somewhat
guided by our internal clock, the key to adjusting to a morning or night ritual
is to keep your health in check.
When your energy and
proficiency level is in a slump, don't simply accept it as the inevitable
byproduct of your body clock. Take a quick walk; drink a glass of water; take a
power nap and recharge your faculties. While you cannot reset your body clock,
you can indeed reboot and electrify yourself in order to maximize your
productivity and help your business thrive.
– Courtesy of the National
Federation of Independent Businesses. For more information on this topic, visit
www.nfib.com.