In my hypnotherapy practice I often come across people who are self-employed – entrepreneurs who have taken the brave step to work for themselves. So far so good. But being self-employed means you need to work on your business idea AND your mindset. Over time I’ve noticed two distinctly different types of self-employed clients – for simplicity’s sake let’s call them client A and client B.
Type A Clients
Type A clients often struggle with lack of motivation and drive, feeling stuck, rudderless and wishing they had more clarity and direction to move on. They love their business but often talk about self-sabotage, consciously avoiding what they need to do, lacking concentration and focus. They want to pay attention to the task at hand, yet get side tracked easily. The continued procrastination can lead to panic and anxiety as time moves on and things are not getting done. For an entrepreneur, or anyone who’s self-employed for that matter, these are serious issues to grapple with. When there is no boss and no structure, coupled with no job security, type A clients can flounder if left to their own devices.
Type B Clients
When it comes to type B clients on the other hand, we find the opposite to be true. Type B entrepreneurs have zero problems motivating themselves. As a matter of fact, they are so motivated, so driven, that they don’t know when to stop. They have focus, drive, inspiration, capacity, attention span and ideas in spades and they willingly spend day and night perfecting websites, new material, servicing customers and in the process sacrificing weekends, holidays and birthdays to reach their outlined goals. Friendships, family and partners often take a backseat and fun tends to go out the window!
The beauty of being one’s own master can also become one’s biggest curse. When there is no boss, no structure and no set working hours, Type B clients can reach burnout and end up feeling isolated and trapped in a never ending hamster wheel of ‘musts’.
Top Tips if you’ve identified yourself as a type A:
- Write a daily To Do list which is split into am and pm. Our brain thrives on simple instructions so by having clarity we are much less likely to be distracted by social media or our growing washing pile. Make a daily itinerary so that you know exactly what you are doing from the minute you wake up until you go to bed. If you want to have some chill out time, schedule it! For example: 7.00 get up, 7.15 meditate, 7.30 shower get dressed, 7.50 breakfast, 8.30-10.00 sit at desk and schedule social media posts, 10.00-10.30 tea break, 10.30 – 12.00 write blog entry, call the two customers you’ve put off contacting and so on… you get the picture.
- Remove distractions. If you’re distracted by new notifications on your Instagram then put your phone on flight mode whilst doing your work and only look at it ‘live’ during your tea/coffee break. If it’s your house/flat that distracts you then sit and work in a cafe or library where you can switch off home chores and get on with business.
- Set yourself 3 main goals daily and when you have nailed them give yourself credit. Being grateful and supportive of your own efforts is a skill to practice. Thinking kind and positive thoughts about ourselves and others creates happy hormones like serotonin which motivates and spurs us on.
Top Tips if you’ve identified yourself as a type B:
- With a To Do list that is never ending, Type B clients’ biggest challenge is to do less, not more. Prioritise the 3-4 key things you want to accomplish each day and when you’ve reached those, stop. Give yourself recognition for having achieved your daily goals. Make some YOU time to watch TV, read a book, exercise or let go of the non-stop ruminating of what your next move ought to be.
- Create working hours which are humane and not slave like. Doing your best doesn’t have to mean working all the time – it’s OK to have normal(ish) working hours. Set clear boundaries for yourself and then let go and have fun with family and friends.
- Good enough is good enough. Type B clients tend to want everything to be perfect and will spend hours deliberating something that could have been done in half the time. Learn to value your business time as well as your personal time and set a time limit for how long you’ll work on something.
- Make sure you rest, relax, sleep, meditate, use hypnosis or breathing exercises to wind down before bedtime. Type B clients often have trouble sleeping due to an over active mind. A good bedtime routine could be a wonderful tool to ensure you get adequate rest and good quality sleep. Turn off phones, dim lights, listen to guided relaxations, breathe and give yourself permission to relax and unwind.
If everything fails and you feel too demotivated to make a real go of getting your business to the next level or if you are too anxious and hyper vigilant to think of little else – try the 7/11 breathing. A quick tool for instant calm and centering.
Sit quietly and close your eyes. Start taking a long deep breath through your nose and count to 7. Then open your mouth and breath out for 11. It is important that the out breath is longer than the in breath. Repeat for at least 5 minutes or until you feel you have calmed down and gained some perspective. This technique tells your parasympathetic nervous system that you are safe and that it is OK to let go. It is also a good tool to use at bedtime if thoughts are spinning around in your head. Wishing you a lovely day!