Don’t let the sunny weather get the best of you

Spring is finally here and as winter seems to have lasted forever this year you may be breathing a sigh of relief, while sunshine is a welcome change from snow, the good weather may have a negative impact on your productivity.

A vision of sunny skies outside your window brings to mind everything you could be doing outside instead of getting down to work. So if you’re having trouble focusing on your to-do list, here are some tips on increasing your concentration and getting the things off your list done faster in order to enjoy more free time, which is, after all, one of the reasons you started your own business in the first place!

Stop daydreaming about sunny beaches

It’s not just the weather that affects you. Even just thinking about nice weather can bring your productivity down. Studies show that evocative images of far flung destinations can reduce your focus so make sure you steer clear of anything that can make you think of picture perfect holiday spots. Get rid of your beach screen saver and stop looking for deals for your next holiday while taking a break from work.

Plan your working days around the weather forecast 

Take a look at the weather forecast for the week and if possible plan your workload around it. Given that you’ll probably be more productive, rainy days can be a great opportunity to log a few more minutes at work so take advantage of it. If you knuckle down on cold, wet, rainy days, you’re much more likely to have free rein to pop out early when that sunny afternoon calls you to take some time off!

Give yourself some encouragement 

Encourage yourself along the way. Use positive self-talk to help you recognise your achievements. Positive self-talk is helpful when it’s simple and direct, such as ‘I can do this.’

Tune it out 

One of the best ways to tune everything out is to listen to music. When the weather outside is distracting you, put your headphones on and find something that can serve as background music rather than music that energises you. Music can help you concentrate, and the headphones signal to others that you’re not available to chat.

The early bird catches the worm

The sun rises earlier so make the most of it. Start your workday an hour earlier and use this hour to organise the day ahead and complete any admin tasks you’ve been putting off. Similarly, skip the long lunches and instead give yourself a short break to take a walk or clear your head, with something light and nutritious to boost your energy. This means your working day will finish earlier and you can make the most of the early evening sun!

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Spring Clean Your Business

National Spring Cleaning Week is coming up which is normally associated with getting your home in order but it’s also a good time to give your business an annual Spring Clean. It may sound daunting but it’s all a matter of perception. Instead of looking at this as a laborious task, think of it as a reward for getting through the winter. This is your chance to fine-tune the day-to-day running of your business in order to improve the quality of your working life. Doing the tasks you’ve been putting off will make it easier to focus on the bigger picture help your business to prosper.

Give your email a good scrub

You probably keep saying that you’ll get on top of your inbox but it never quite happens. Now’s the time to do it. Set aside a whole afternoon and go for it! Finding an email filing system that works for you will make it easier to keep on top of them in the long term. It may seem like a minor system to improve but it will make you feel less overwhelmed and will improve your entire communication methods.

Do your filing

Earlier this year, we went paper free when it comes to business agreements and payment systems in order to allow our franchisees to run their businesses more efficiently and provide a better service to their customers. Cloud-based systems are great for improving the efficiency of a business when it comes to filing important documents. If you still need to keep paper-copies of documents, ensure your filing cabinet is tidy and everything is where it should be. This will help you spend less time looking for files you need in the future and will make you feel in control of everything.

Review your suppliers

Take a look at your suppliers and identify any that are not performing as well as they should be. For example, does your broadband provider fail to provide you with adequate coverage or service speeds? Does your bank keep introducing new service charges or other fees? Once you’ve identified the issues, contact your supplier and ask them to resolve them and ask if there are any better deals they can offer you. Have a look at different suppliers as well as they might be more suitable for your business’ needs.

Dust off your business plan

One of the great things about franchising is that you have access to ongoing support when it comes to evaluating your business and improving your business plan. Spring is the perfect time to revisit your plan and update it to keep pace with your goals and your long-term plans for the business. Go back to why you set up the business and evaluate what you want to achieve moving forward.

Clean your office

Trust us on this one! When was the last time you vacuumed behind the printer? A clean office will help lift your mood, and improve and reinvigorate your workspace. A disorderly and dirty office can cause unnecessary stress so turning your office into an inviting place to work means that you will have a more positive mindset and be more eager to work.

Schedule your next Spring Clean

In order to keep up the good work, you don’t have to wait until the following year to review any changes you introduce during your Spring Clean. Set aside a time every three months to evaluate your key accomplishments and identify areas of improvement. Look into what you’re doing and whether it’s feeding into your goals.