RETURN TO WORK RECHARGED Take Time to Unplug!
Though technology makes everyday tasks a bit easier, sometimes, the best thing a business owner can do is unplug and recharge! Running a business is a time-consuming and stressful effort. But by stepping back, you can reset and get a fresh perspective on your work. START SMALL. Create small habits if you can’t go an entire day without technology! Try starting your morning completely unplugged until you get into the office, or step away from your devices for an hour or two during the day. When you start small, you can build from there! SCHEDULE EMAIL TIME. We are all too familiar with an overwhelming email stream. We wake up and fall asleep to it, and if we’re not careful, the constant interruptions can run our entire day! If you want to cut down on screen time, schedule email checks. You can make a commitment to address them in the morning or maybe the late afternoon.
But during after-hours, establish a hard cutoff time! Inform your employees and clients of your available time frame — set an expectation for more productivity and communication. CHOOSE A SECOND IN COMMAND. Suppose you’re dedicated to checking out now and then. In that case, it can be beneficial to have someone handle anything that may arise. Consider someone trustworthy and reliable, and give them an overview of day-to-day operations. You can explain what can and cannot be done and alert other employees that all questions and concerns be directed to this person. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF. When you’re at work, your main priority is to focus on your business and clients. But when you pack up and head home, you must take time for yourself! Do activities you love, spend quality time with family and friends, and put away your laptop and phone. That email or call can wait until the next business day begins.
Pulling the plug on technology can feel intimidating as a business owner, but give it a try! You may be surprised at how refreshed you feel returning to work.
WILL YOU FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS? Warren Buffett’s ‘Boring’ Investment Bets
So, why did Warren Buffett, one of the world’s smartest investors, invest over $140 million and loan an additional $400 million to Media General Inc., the owner of 60-plus newspapers nationwide? Obviously, Buffett is no dummy. He would not be putting up this kind of money for a “boring” newspaper business unless there was money to be made! This pretty much typifies Buffett. The vast majority of his investments are “boring”: newspapers, banks, furniture stores, utility companies, Johnson & Johnson, and many others. There isn’t much in the way of FLASH in these investments. There are no new internet IPOs or large tech holdings. Buffett has made himself and his shareholders a ton of money on investments that have one thing in common: They’re BORING! This very idea is what makes owning and investing in real estate here in Iowa so attractive — and so profitable.
Iowa is one of the most boring places in America. Investing here is not “following the crowd,” and that’s exactly why it creates opportunities! People who follow the crowd usually get in when the price is too high and sell when the price is too low. If you go your own way and pick the “boring” investments, they’ll perform better and more consistently than the popular ones. Your motto for the rest of the week — heck, for the rest of your investment life — should be, “Go ahead, bore me!” This outlook and philosophy pays, and Warren Buffett knows it. Now’s the time to follow his example and start your “boring” investment life! Providing you boring yet profitable returns the crowds have no idea about, even in this economy, –Darin
Our newspaper arrives around 5 a.m., and I’m an early riser. So, on many mornings, one of the first things I do after I pour myself a hot cup of coffee is read the newspaper. Let’s just say I do a good job keeping the paper recycling business busy. But recently, I’ve noticed the newspaper industry is slowly fading away.
Newspapers are old and boring — the internet is new and exciting. At least, that’s how it seems.
2 DARINGARMAN.COM
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