Running Solo?

20 Ways To Give Yourself a Boost

Tip #1 – Laugh!

Laughter releases

endorphins, raising spirits

and sparking creativity. To

give yourself a good case

the giggles:

• Compile your favorite

clips into a YouTube

playlist

• Bookmark humor sites

and spend 10-15 minutes

having a chuckle

Photo by Simon Vorgrimmler via Flickr

Tip #2 – Create an Affirmation Board

Many Ruby employees affix “Ruby Raves,” our internal affirmation cards, around their desks to keep them motivated.

To build your own board, put up emails, birthday cards pictures to remind you how awesome you are the day.

Tip #3 – Move!

Feeling stuck? Get your

adrenaline going a quick

run, walk or a few yoga

poses.

Greatist also an excellent

series of fun exercises

can be completed at your

desk, including chair

dancing!

Tip #4 – Learn Something NewYour brain is always looking for connections between pieces of information.

Learning something new can bring new perspective to current challenges.

RSS readers, such as Feedly or Flipboard, to keep up with changes in your

industry. Podcasts, such as Entrepreneur on Fire, are also great to provide

additional inspiration.

Photo by the Italian voice via Flickr

Tip #5 – Do Your Chores

Break up tough projects with

smaller, less involved tasks.

Spend 10-15 minutes

completing administrative

tasks, such as filing

or cleaning out your

downloads folder. You’ll give

your brain a rest, and check

off a few pesky to-do items!

Tip #6 – Share Your Task List

Peer pressure is useful motivational tool. At Ruby, team members looking for

little extra accountability can post their projects to our community

Achieve a similar effect with your business through a shared Trello board.

a free, online task management tool—lays out tasks as individual cards. Invite

others via email to view your board to hold you accountable for important

Tip #7 –Run An Errand

Running a personal errand

helps gets you out of the

house, takes your mind off

work, and gives you some

time to focus on yourself.

You’ll return to your work

ready to get back to

business, having knocked

out those nagging to-dos.

Tip #8 – Co-Work

A home offices is great for focus, but sometimes you need to meet and mingle

with fellow entrepreneurs. Get out of the house and try your local coworking

space. These spaces rent desks by the hour, day or month, and provide access

community of small business owners and freelancers.

Photo by Mindaugas Danysvia Flickr

Tip #9 – Schedule Daily Phone Calls

Make it part of your

to call a different person

from your contacts each

day. The variety of topics

from person to person get

your brain firing, and each

call gives you an

opportunity to talk

your current project.

Tip #10 – Create a Motivational A-Team

Form a group with 2-3 fellow entrepreneurs. Set a timeframe and have person set one goal to be completed in that timeframe. Meet once a week review your progress towards the goal. When you’re struggling, reach out your team for motivation and encouragement!

Tip #11 – Send An Affirmation

Chances are you’re not the

only one feeling stuck.

a friend an e-card or a

email letting them know

they’re doing a great job,

how much you appreciate

your friendship. You’ll feel

great knowing you’ve

make someone else’s day!

Tip #12 – Create a LinkedIn Group

LinkedIn groups are great for asking questions, but are often too to bounce ideas off others. For more personalized feedback, create private LinkedIn group for just your direct network. Don’t limit to folks only from your industry! Different backgrounds can lead to insights for your business.

Tip #13 – Do a Creative Activity

Drawing, writing a poem or

singing a song all activate

different parts of the brain and

can spark new ideas. Spend a

few minutes doodling or

down a story idea to restore

your motivation.

You can also challenge your

brain by performing tasks with

your non-dominant hand.

Switching the mouse to the

other side, for example,

refocuses your brain and

increases creativity.

Photo by Ant PDX via Flickr

Tip #14 – Daily Huddle

At Ruby, team members take 10 minutes each morning to share their focus

the day and any roadblocks they are experiencing.

Using the phone or a videoconferencing platform, invite 3-5 other small

business owners to meet and discuss plans for the day. This exercise holds

accountable and forces you to verbalize your daily goals.

Photo by Drew Stepehnsl via Flickr

Tip #15 – Meditate

A little stress is healthy, but a

lot reduces motivation and

creativity.

Set aside a comforting place

your home or office with low

light, little noise and a

comfortable rug or pillow.

Focus only on your breathing,

taking as many deep breaths

you need to feel the tension

melt away.

Photo Matt Scott via Flickr

Tip #17 – Review Your Goals

When you run your own

business, it’s easy to become

focused on short-term tasks

and lose site of long-term

goals.

Take 20-30 minutes at the

beginning of each day to

review your goals and

company mission. Make sure

your tasks for that day align

with your goals to avoid

putting effort into out-of-

scope projects.

Tip #18 – Delegate!

It’s easy to get bogged down in the little things that waste your

energy (like handling phone calls). Delegate those smaller tasks

other team members or companies like Ruby, so you can spend

time on the activities that will help grow your business.

Tip #16 – Video Hangouts

Remote teams often rely on videoconferencing such as Skype or Google Hangouts, to connect members visually.

Create a “virtual” office environment to keep you motivated—complete with the click-clack of chit chat, and the laughter over a shared meme.

Photo by download.net.pl via Flickr

Tip #19 – Create a ‘WOW’ Moment

Ruby team members are

empowered to deliver

customer experiences, including

sending ‘WOW’ gifts to show

clients we care. These gifts not

only thrill our clients, but excite

our team as well.

Take 10 minutes out of your day

to send a thank you, gift or

thoughtful email to a client. This

small act not only gets your

creative juices following, but

your customers another reason

keep their business with you.

Tip #20 – Reward Yourself

Have a sweet tooth? Put a sweet treat, such as an M&M or Skittle,

next to each to-do item on your list. When you’ve completed the

task, reward yourself with a little indulgence.

Ruby is the smart and cheerful team of virtual receptionists trained to

make a difference in your day. From our offices in Portland, Oregon,

we handle your calls with care. We deliver the perfect mix of

friendliness, charm, can-do attitude, and professionalism. Best of all,

your callers will think we work in your office. Get to know us at

www.callruby.com.

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