‘Don’t overwhelm yourself with thinking ahead to the coming weeks. Instead, focus your energy on what you can do right now, today’ – The Mind Medic
Welcome to Behind the Business, where we’re asking a cross-section of Avenue HQ members and wider connections, all about their current day-to-day. It’s a strange and confusing time for many, and so we hope reading a specific day’s diary, completed by other like-minded professionals, will provide a few take-homes for how best to tackle your day that lies ahead.
This week, we’re chatting with Amber Ellis – BDM of PINS Social Club.
Amber’s role includes: Securing corporate events and private hire parties, networking, building relationships, forming partnerships with other businesses; such as Avenue HQ, creating packages / events / ideas to find new and innovative ways to increase footfall, and last but not at all least: social media.
Industry: Hospitality
Profession: Business Development Manager (currently on furlough)
Date: 10/11/20
Today’s To-Do List:
- Prepare for a sales course
- Make soup
- Go for a walk
- Host Developed Together’s Ideas Hour (more on this later!)
Morning Routine:
I’ve been taking full advantage of furlough… meaning pre 8am, I’m still sound asleep dreaming away in bed.
8am-10am:
Good Morning world!
Being on furlough being immediately followed by lockdown, I’ve found it important for my mental health to wake up at the same time every day; to try and have some form of routine!
I’m one of those who checks notifications before getting out of bed. I catch up, check PINS socials and I say good morning / check in with the Developed Together Team! (Developed Together is a networking group I set up for BDM / similar roles to have a safe space to talk openly, help, inspire one another and develop & grow together).
Then it’s time for a shower, get ready, annoy my partner and cat for some attention and a cuppa tea!
10am-12pm:
I get cosy on the sofa or I sit on the floor draped in blankets (weird I know, but I’ve always liked sitting on the floor), whack on some background TV and crack on.
I love lists, so I always make a list and I order it, so I know what to do first. Creating a list is important for my sense of routine and also to know that I have some daily goals, whatever they may be.
Whilst I’m on my phone making a list in my notes, I also take time to check in on people I’ve noticed have been a bit quiet, making sure they’re okay and seeing if there’s anything I can do to help.
Today, I’m creating my ICA, ‘Ideal Client Avatar’ ready for a sales program I’ll be starting this week hosted by Christian Matthews.
12pm-2pm:
Make a soup and swiftly eat said soup! Who doesn’t love soup when it’s chilly and dark outside? It’s just so homely. Today I’m going for a spiced cauliflower and butterbean, never tried it before so hopefully it’s yummy.
I love lunchtime because it means I get to spend a little bit of time with my partner who spends his days working hard in the office upstairs!
2pm-4pm:
Still cracking on with my list and it’s time to squeeze in a walk before it gets dark outside.
Fresh air and stretching your legs is so important. I like to walk in different directions and switch up my walk so I get to see and discover new things.
4pm-6pm:
Time for another cuppa tea.. plus I made some lemon and blueberry muffins on Sunday so, it’s definitely time for a muffin.
Followed by Developed Together time! There’s 80+ of us and every Tuesday from 5pm – 6pm, we have a weekly Ideas Hour and the topic is different every week. It’s an hour for everyone to put in their thoughts / ideas for us to discuss and learn from one another.
This will be our fourth Ideas Hour and I get really excited as they’re always super productive and helpful. Being able to bounce ideas with people in the same role as you is amazing!
6pm onwards:
Time to relax.
Goodbye mobile phone. I don’t like constantly being on my phone. In the evenings, especially when I’m spending time with my partner, I like to put my phone away so we can just wind down and relax.
We love cooking so we always cook tea together!
We usually spend our evenings being silly and laughing our heads off whilst watching a new series we started. Or, we both like being creative so we’ll find something creative to do, whether it’s making something or re-decorating the house.
How has COVID impacted your working day?
Being in the hospitality industry, COVID has massively impacted my working day as I’m currently not working. With PINS Social Club being temporarily closed and me being on furlough, I’ve found myself with time I usually wouldn’t have. I feel it’s important to use this time for self-growth and to learn new skills that will help me when PINS re-opens. I also feel it’s important to still keep in touch with my network and clients.
Above all, it’s important to know that you don’t have to feel guilty for relaxing and for spending time on you. During this difficult time, doing things you enjoy and communicating with others is key.
To find out more about Pins Social Club, get in touch with Amber via LinkedIn. Alternatively, to learn more about Avenue HQ’s different membership offerings, you can contact us and speak to the team.