One of the most difficult aspects of owning your own business is committing to a schedule.  This can mean many things, depending on the nature of your business.  But, for all of us, there comes a time when our “normal”, money making tasks are slowed, and we witness some “down time”.  Frequently, this times goes to waste, and not much is accomplished.  But as time has passed, we’ve learned to use this time to our advantage. 

My husband’s business is 100% mobile, and his work is done outdoors.  So obviously, rainy, drizzly, or snowy days are slow.  Use of this time has become essential in keeping up the “paper” side of the company.  Patrick uses these days to catch up his books, make deposits, make follow-up phone calls, and set appointments.  We try to use our unusually slow days to brainstorm marketing strategies, as well. 

These days won’t always fall into your perfect schedule, and you’ll probably have to take a few “regular” days to do some of this, as well.  But don’t look negatively at your down days.  Look at them as opportunities. You never know what’s at the end of that rainbow!

Photo by Peter Kaminski via Flickr Creative Commons.