3 Steps to Recharge Yourself and Your Business Work these simple steps into your day to keep your business fresh and your mind inspired.

Running a business often means you have your hands in every aspect of the company. You're managing day-to-day tasks and making crucial business decisions all at the same time. It's no wonder small-business owners can often lose sight of the forest for the trees and get mired in the task of simply getting through each day.

Taking a step back gives you a tremendous amount of insight that not only reenergizes you to keep going, but can lead to crucial business decisions that transform and grow your business. Finding a way to build that inspiration into your life is not just a luxury—it's a necessity if you want to maintain a thriving business.

Here are three effective ways to stay inspired and keep your company dynamic, no matter how hectic steering the ship can get:

1. Make time to make new friends.

Remembering to stay active in meeting other professionals in your industry is essential to keeping you fresh, alert, and inspired by what's going on outside your daily grind.

Interacting through informal networking channels is essential to entrepreneurial success for more than three-quarters of startups around the world, opening up access to finance, talent and fresh ideas. This can be as simple as putting a happy hour on your calendar once a month to encourage you to get out with other people who spend much of their time thinking about the same things you do.

2. Bring in outside eyes.

One of the most effective and simplest ways to get a different perspective of your business is to bring in a trusted outsider to help you.

A perfect example: Working with a professional advisor or banker to help get your finances in order so you don't have to do it all on your own. Someone whose sole focus is cash flow management can help you identify problems and opportunities you probably would not have seen otherwise. Seeking help from an advisor can be the difference between making it and throwing in the towel.

3. Schedule unscheduled time for yourself.

Busy business owners often feel overwhelmed by even the thought of taking a step back and looking at the big picture of their business. But setting aside time to think creatively shouldn't be a daunting task if you do it right.

Rather than penciling in "think about long-term strategies" on your calendar, set aside time to get out of the office and get some fresh air, wander your neighborhood on the weekend, go for a long jog or cook an inspired meal to take your brain away from the endless laundry list of to-dos.

Making time for brief diversions from your work actually stimulates your mind, making you more focused and productive in the long run. Carving out time when you aren't working is one of the best ways for you to reenergize and reach your full potential once you get back to the grind.

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This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. PNC urges its customers to do independent research and to consult with financial and legal professionals before making any financial decisions.

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