As we move into the new year, many of us have made resolutions and goals that we hope will improve our day to day lives. As business owners and entrepreneurs, we often have a hard time juggling the demands of our work, while balancing our personal lives.
One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to take time for ourselves. Although it can be hard to let go of impending projects, by taking time to breathe and focus inwardly, we can be better business owners and become more present during the workday.
We’ve recently become acquainted with the acronym S.A.V.E.R.S, which describes a morning routine that gets your day started out right. Marc Bowker, a local business owner in Lima, Ohio, shared his story with us during our live Magnet Marketers show and introduced it to us. S.A.V.E.R.S. is the method he uses to help manage his anxiety and to balance running his business and his daily life. The acronym, which originates from the book The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, describes a morning routine that can give you time for yourself while setting up the day to be successful.
So what is the S.A.V.E.R.S. Analogy he used?
S stands for silence
The first step to taking time for yourself is to be okay with being quiet and taking time for yourself to meditate or pray. It doesn’t have to be for long; simply sit quietly in purposeful silence for five minutes or so. Use this time for you. You can pray, meditate, or use it as a time of reflection.
A stands for affirmations
Choose an affirmation and write it down. What do you want your life to be like, why do you want it to be that way, and what will you do to change it? Now spend five minutes reciting it aloud.
V stands for visualization
Imagine the life you want. Visualize yourself achieving your goals. Picture yourself as you accomplish them, and really feel what it’s like to succeed. Do this for five minutes.
E stands for exercise
Determine which exercise works for you and spend 20 minutes of your morning doing it. This will help you boost energy and enhance your health and well-being. For some people, this will be walking, others yoga, or perhaps biking.
R stands for reading
We all spend time reading news articles or social media, but it’s vital to read for education. Take 20 minutes to read books from the experts. Choose books that will help you reach your goals.
S stands for scribing
Take your thoughts and write them down. Use a paper journal, an online diary, or whatever makes you comfortable, but whichever method you choose, spend five minutes in the morning free-writing to give yourself perspective.
Try this morning routine out and see what works best for you. It may be that you don’t need every single step, but use the process of elimination to see which ones transform your morning. All it takes it waking up an hour earlier and you can develop the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life.
To find balance in your life you have to let go of some control, trust in others, and make time for yourself. Entrepreneurs may have to explicitly schedule this time in. But, if you take the time, you will have a clearer head, be more able to focus, and be more present during calls and meetings.
Stop thinking two steps ahead. Plan your day out, of course, but during the day be sure to live in the moment and pay attention to those around you. By doing this, you’ll be more productive and a better boss, friend, and family member.
To learn more about Marc’s story and to watch the replay please, please click on the video below.
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