If you map out your journey carefully, being an entrepreneur can be a ticket to unbridled success. Launching startups, whether they are tech companies or other innovative enterprises, can mean massive wealth and influence if they take off. Look at some of the world’s wealthiest people – Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and all the other self-made billionaires emerging in global business today. Most of these figures were entrepreneurs who started from scratch and made it into the big leagues through hard work, determination, and of course, a touch of luck.
There’s no denying, however, that being an entrepreneur takes a lot of hard work. Generally, you’re required to work long hours; some people put in twelve to fourteen-hour days when launching their business. Naturally, this demanding work schedule doesn’t leave much space for downtime. That being said, strategically and mindfully using your downtime can be incredibly valuable for your work too.
This helpful article will share four valuable ways that modern entrepreneurs can spend their downtime. Read on to unearth all these secrets for success that have been practiced by some of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs.
1. Study Data Analytics
One way to spend your downtime is by studying data analytics courses. Let’s begin by explaining what data analytics is.
Data analytics is a term for the act of studying datasets to form educated conclusions from raw data. Data analysts can assess data from a range of sources, including sales trends, website data, or any other data patterns that may be relevant to a business’ growth strategy. For instance, you might capture data about your customers’ demographics, behaviours or buying habits, or even their device usage.
Developing data analysis as a skill set can be incredibly valuable for entrepreneurs, as it can support them in making independent decisions surrounding their business development plan without having to rely on outside insights. Understanding your data is also foundational to developing winning sales tactics, marketing plans, improving your customer experience, and streamlining your business operations.
Simply put, data analysis can be an excellent skill to learn in your downtime and can have real benefits when it comes to supporting your ability to scale up your operations without confusion or missteps.
If you’re already well-versed in business data analytics, you may even decide to try developing other entrepreneurial skills in your spare time, like web development skills or perhaps even growing proficient with financial management methodologies.
2. Focus On Health & Wellbeing
Even if you may be working long hours and burning the midnight oil to get your enterprise up and running, professional success is well and truly meaningless if you’re not healthy enough to enjoy the fruits of your arduous labours. If you are constantly getting sick or are too tired to work, then really what’s the point? This is precisely why many modern entrepreneurs are focusing on exercise and maintaining a balanced diet during their downtime.
Cardio is a great way to stay fit and healthy, and there are a few different ways to get a good cardio workout in with minimal time. Running is a highly popular form of cardio that can be enjoyed either out on the street or by using a treadmill in your office space. Other popular forms of cardio include cycling, using an elliptical machine, or using a rowing machine.
Many self-made billionaires make a habit of exercising on a daily basis. For instance, Bill Gates does some form of cardio on a regular basis, ranging from running on his treadmill to playing tennis, one of his favourite games. The justifications include ensuring that he stays in good physical health, alongside helping him attain higher levels of focus throughout the rest of his workday. By exercising, you’re releasing those feel-good endorphins and tapping into natural energy, which you can then channel into your work.
That being said, exercise is only one side of the well-being coin. Diet is the other one, and it’s not something you can afford to neglect in the slightest. All entrepreneurs with hectic work schedules are encouraged to eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes.
3. Exercise Their Brains
Another valuable way to spend your downtime as an entrepreneur is to exercise your mind. Sure, your work will keep you focused, but engaging in an activity that isn’t work-related is just as essential as developing professional skills.
For some, playing strategic board or card games is a great way to keep minds sharp when they’re not shackled to a professional drawing board, so to speak. Playing strategic games in your leisure time may also prove to be incredibly beneficial to developing your instincts for business, as it will help you think critically and to approach problems from different angles.
You can also use app-based brain training tools available on the major app stores. These can be excellent to do on a lunch break or in the evening and will help to keep your mind sharp.
4. Unearth The Power Of Daily Reading
Our final tip is to get into the habit of reading books and engaging in independent study and exploration during your downtime. Reading is an excellent way to build your ability to focus, analyse and synthesise information. And you don’t necessarily have to read textbooks to reap the benefits of reading either. You can read fiction or nonfiction, as both have their benefits. Fiction will build your imagination and sense of wonder, which you can apply to your startup. Contrastingly, reading nonfiction will build your general knowledge and also allow you to learn from real-world scenarios, which is also invaluable to your work. Either way, reading is an excellent use of your downtime and will benefit your personal development and growth, which should run parallel to your business activities.
Want some book suggestions? Why not check out some books for inspiring ambition as recommended by some of the world’s most influential figures?
In Summary
In this helpful article, we’ve shared four valuable ways that an entrepreneur can spend their downtime. All of these activities will directly positively influence your business. Studying data analytics is a top idea, as it will give you an edge in your work. Diet and exercise are vital, as is exercising your brain. Finally, reading books will work to develop your analytical skills and imagination. Together, all four of these easy suggestions for filling your downtime, can help ensure that you can build yourself right alongside your business, and keep yourself sharp and in the loop enough to make all the right decisions as your enterprise continues to grow.
