Running a small business is hard work and we all know that it takes an immense amount of dedication to stay on top of every decision that is being made within the business too. Having a plan in place of the nitty gritty things to keep track of is super important since this can keep you on track and help keep you aligned with your tasks. On the other side of this, how do you balance owning a small business alongside your personal life? What are you doing to separate your work life as well as your personal life? Are you pouring back into yourself along the way? Join us as we jump into our top 5 tips for navigating surviving your small business!

STEP ONE

Overhead Expenses — Reduce your overhead expenses as much as possible and take a deep dive into your bank statements to see what you are spending your money on! Weed out the software and programs that you do not need so that you are saving on unnecessary expenses. If you find that you cannot cancel a subscription at this time, set a reminder in your calendar near the renewal date so you can stay on top of cancelling that subscription.

STEP TWO

Free Education — In an effort to support each other during this time, many businesses, brands and educators are sharing their knowledge. Do some research on what resources are out there in your industry and take the time to read the blog or watch the video. Take advantage of the free education, my friend! Use your slower booked months to sign up for webinars, listen to podcasts, or even catch up on that business book your colleague recommended to you. Topics ranging from leadership development, business advice, marketing strategies, and business tactics are good topics to lean into. Not everything you read or hear will apply to your business or situation and that’s okay! Take what works best for you and move on from the rest.

Our Favorite Podcasts:

The Render Podcast by Cam Petty

The Brendan Show by Brendan Burchard

Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher

Our Favorite Books:

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Want even more? → Additional books that we love!

STEP THREE

Creating Balance — Having a routine is key to setting yourself up for success. Creating a routine that you are dedicated to implementing each morning and night is how balance is created and sets a healthy tone for the end of a long day or the start to an early morning! We recently chatted with Corbin Bahcall of Night Owl Coffee about Sustaining Your Energy During Busy Season on The Render Podcast — listen now and be sure to take notes!

Let’s take a glimpse into Cam’s routine!

Cam’s Evening Routine:

1. Wash Your Face and Put on Pajamas

There is something just so freeing about washing off your face from the day you just had. With all the makeup, sweat, hard work, and dedication you just put in, wash it all off for the evening. The key here is to wash your face as soon as you get home before doing anything else and then put on some comfy clothes. Get comfy and wash off your day!

2. No Screens Within 1 Hour of Bedtime

Studies show that looking at your phone, computer, or watching TV has a massive relation on how fast you get to sleep. The blue light from your screen messes with your eyes and brain, causing your brain to remain active. Try plugging your phone in about an hour before you go to sleep and don’t look at it again until the next day!

3. Drink a Warm Drink

I know, I know, in the summer time this sounds absolutely terrible, but drinking a warm drink typically associates with a cozy relaxing mood which is prime for sleep! I love a good Chamomile or Honey Citrus tea at the end of a long day!

4. Journal About Your Day

It is likely that you just had a LONG day or some decisions were made, emails were sent, kiddos were played with, some spills from dinner landed on your shirt, someone cut you off in traffic, and so one. Journal about it! Write all the thoughts going on in your mind and leave it all there. If something is on your mind about tomorrow, write that down too. Don’t let those thoughts keep you up at night.

5. Get in Bed 10 Minutes Before Bedtime

Remember that cozy feeling of jammies and no makeup on, and not looking at any screens for the last hour, a nice warm drink? Well now it is time for bed! I set a bedtime reminder on my phone and I am fast asleep within minutes!

Cam’s Morning Routine:

1. Make a Pre-Workout Smoothie

Drink the water FIRST! Water is so good for you and my goal every single day is to drink 120oz of water to stay hydrated and keep my energy levels up! It is so important to hydrate first as your body just slept for eight hours with no intake. I also make myself a pre-workout smoothie. I put kale, spinach, and a whole bunch of berries in it and drink that as I plan out my day.

2. Write In My Journal

Did you know that more than 50% of the worlds most successful humans write out (physically, like in a notebook or prompted journal) their specific goals for their life every single day and even multiple times a day. I challenge you to write down 5 small things you are grateful for that happened in the last 24 hours and then after that, write your 10 big goals and dreams. Doing these small tasks are great ways to set intentionality about how your day will go!

3. Move My Body

Working out does two things for me. It makes me so full of energy and feel like I am ready to conquer all the results I just set out to accomplish today and it is also SO healthy and good for your body! If I am intentional about the goals and dreams I have set out to do, then I HAVE to be intentional on how I treat my body.

4. Get Ready for The Day

Pretty darn self-explanatory, if you just worked out, you are likely sweaty, so shower it off and blast some empowering music while you get ready! My personal favorite to listen to in the morning is Beyonce! I am the leader of my company and my personal brand, so I always put on clothes that make me feel like I’m the leader. Do what empowers you!

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Likely the most skipped meal of the day but the most important. If you are getting up at 5:00am every morning, you will need to fuel yourself in order to last until bedtime. Stick to healthy choices that are not filled with carbs and sugars. I stay with either a meal smoothies with protein, eggs, or a quick breakfast bar with protein if I’m in a hurry!

STEP FOUR

Create A Plan — Our team firmly believes you must have a road map to get to where you want to go and we believe this now more than ever! Make a plan for the results you want to accomplish each week for the next 30 days. Of course you can slightly adjust as you go. Once created, commit to reevaluating at the end of those 30 days. Need a place to store all of your data and results? Our Marketing Stats Template is the perfect place to store your data and results!

STEP FIVE

Choose Joy — This probably won’t come to a surprise to you but there is very little we can control a majority of the time, but we can control our attitude and perspective. As a team, we are committed to choosing joy and celebrate wins no matter the size. In our most recent podcast series, we sat down and talked to Alex Sutherland of Vestals Catering about Establishing Workplace Culture on The Render Podcast. We shared tons of helpful and inspiring perspectives that you will enjoy; check it out now!

We are so grateful that you are here and are part of our community! Did you enjoy this Survival Guide? Connect with us and let us know what your favorite part of this guide was!

Email Us → educate@therender.co

DM Us → @therender.educate

For More Resources + Guides → www.rendereducate.co

Joyfully,

Raven Scott | Podcast & Marketing Coordinator