managing your energy as an empath in business
Working on your business versus working in your business are two very different things. While both are instrumental in your success as a business owner, how you assign time to each and differentiate between the two is very important.
If unfamiliar on the difference of working on your business versus working in your business, working in your business is doing the day-to-day tasks that need to be done (offering services, doing admin work, etc).
While working on your business is being able to strategize and make the necessary plans, changes and decisions to grow your business and hold the bigger picture.
When we are stuck working in our business, to the point where we no longer have the space to work on our business, it’s time to implement a buffer.
And one of the most important buffers for empaths is a buffer between yourself and your community/audience so that your days and energy aren’t spent unfocused or disorganized, trying to answer to everyone else but yourself.
For me this buffer is an assistant who manages my inbox, answers social media messages, schedules and reschedules calls, and helps me with all the day-to-day activities that make my business run smoothly.
However, I know that until your business reaches a certain profitability or a consistency in sales, it’s not possible to hire external help to ensure you have the time away from others to work on your business growth & avoid burn out.
Here’s a list of a few easy to implement ideas for creating your own buffer when you aren’t yet able to afford extra help or employees:
Designate a specific time frame for interacting with customers. For example, you might only coach on Tuesdays or only answer your email and social media messages after 8pm each evening.
Use automated email responders to make it clear about what types of emails you will and will not be responding to. For example, "No custom orders. I only respond to emails from customers who have ordered prints. If you're interested in learning more about my artwork and art process, you can find a recent interview I did here: link"
Set up a FAQ page answering the questions you are most commonly asked. Instead of having a contact page on your website or open access to you via email or social media, you can say that “commonly asked questions are answered here → link" in your bios or on your about page to support those who are looking for information about your offers.
Limit accessibility in your DMs. By limiting DM settings people will start to leave their responses in the comments on your posts or those truly interested in your product or services will click through to your website, FAQ page, etc., to find the answers they're looking for - and if they still can't find answers, they will email you. If DMs are part of your sales strategy, refer to #1 and only engage during set times to maintain those necessary boundaries while feeding your sales funnel.
Prioritize time during your day for yourself. For example, when you get up in the morning, before you check your emails or respond to client messages, make yourself a nourishing breakfast, spend time with your journal, workout, etc. When you take care of yourself, you can show up to your work from a more grounded and centered space. Leading to better decision making, smarter actions and more energy for those you are paid to support.
Do you struggle to create boundaries between working in and working on your business? How do you balance running the day-to-day of your business while also prioritizing your needs & your business growth?
XO
Robin
notify me of new posts by email
If you’re new to my work:
Hi! I'm Robin —
The diarist behind the Diary of an Empath and creator of Empaths in Business, a six week course teaching empaths how to turn their work into a business that works, with strategy, healing and support.
