Be a better boss, to yourself

This blog has come about after chatting with members in a virtual coworking session. We were saying how it’s our prerogative as self-employed people to rant about clients, especially now we don’t have a boss to moan about.

This got me thinking. If I had a boss who spoke to me like I speak to myself, made me work as hard with no thanks, or made me feel guilty for taking annual leave, I would leave that job.

So this is how I am going to be a better boss to myself:

1. Mental Health Days

   The difference with my mental health days at Wild HQ is that I actually mean it, it’s not just part of a corporate manifesto to make us look good. This is critical.

2. Time off around my period

   I am vowing to myself to plan my working month around my period. Planning appropriate work tasks for the peaks and troughs of my cycle will only make me more powerful.

3. Unlimited annual leave but I must take at least 6 weeks off across the year

   My brother works for a company that has this. At first it blew my mind, then I realised that when we have flexibility it makes everyone a lot happier. In turn it means better quality work is produced and there’s no need for 40 hour weeks.

4. A bonus of my choice every quarter

   How do I thank myself for working so hard? Maybe with a bonus? It doesn’t have to be money. It could be a day off to sit in a coffee shop reading a magazine (remember those?). Planning it in each quarter will hopefully help.

5. Time off in lieu

   This is something that used to wind me RIGHT up when I was employed. Why did I not get the recognition of working my ass off the night before? Why wasn’t I allowed the morning off to rest? Why am I still treating myself like this?

6. Never ever work weekends (I already do this, but this one’s for you)

   Some people enjoy working weekends, that’s fine. But I would say that there needs to be a decent chunk in your week where you’re totally free to spend time with people in your life who don’t work on the same day, which generally means not working weekends. Time is important and we can’t get that back.

Please add your own in the comments - I’d love to know what you think and how you’re going to be a better boss to yourself!