When you run a business, whether a startup or an established one, you are constantly working. In fact, business owners tend to put in twice the number of hours and effort the average employee does. As much as I encourage entrepreneurship, it is crucial to remember that considering the amount of work involved, it is important to take care of your health. Entrepreneurs take a lot of risk thus a lot of pressure because if you’re unable to work as the owner, your whole business may fail unless it’s reached a level where it could run itself (meaning employees are well equipped to manage it). You must take care of your health. Regular physical activity goes a long way. Nonetheless, hiccups may happen and what’s important to understand is that sometimes you need to prioritize your health and wellness.
The fact is that you can’t run a business for long if you’re unwell, whether that’s being physically or mentally. It’s crucial that you take the initiative and learn how to take care of your well-being just as you do your business. What good is it to have a thriving enterprise and not be able to enjoy the fruit of your labor?
So, you’ve ventured into entrepreneurship and the hours can’t be counted. You’re working passionately toward your goal and you’re having a blast. It is an incredible feeling. What steps can you take to make it last as long as possible without having to stress about your health?
Establish a regular exercise routine
In a previous article, I shared with you the success principles that I’ve learned from waking up very early in the morning. Rising before the masses do is a great way to be more productive. Block some time in your routine and get 10, 20, 30 minutes of exercise in. Exercising is your way to prevent illness. According to the CDC, physical activity has so many benefits to your health including positive weight management and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Don’t delay. Incorporate a good workout in your day today.
Take some time off
Don’t be afraid to take some time off. Yes, your business needs you but if you are unwell and need to heal, you may not properly heal if you are not resting. That’s why it’s important to plan for some time off. How often? Plan according to your business needs, both financially and time wise.
Planning for time off is also a great way to improve your effectiveness and efficiency in your business. Plus, it helps sharpen your time management skills. When you’re sick, the sooner you take time off, the faster you will heal. Taking time off may also mean slowing down, changing the environment, spending some time with friends and family.
Learn to Outsource
Shark Tank is one of the shows that I enjoy watching and that I learn from. I pay very good attention to the advice that the sharks give. Repeatedly, I see candidates getting rejected because they overprotect their baby, the business. Since they want to control so much for so long, they limit their own progress. If there are tasks that can be outsourced, that you no longer need to deal with, consider outsourcing them and applying the mental energy to other areas. You can reduce the pressure that you’re under by outsourcing a range of tasks.
Seek support
Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. In fact, some individuals who have had the opportunity to work directly with an entrepreneur decide to stay away from it. Some people would argue that entrepreneurs are born, not trained. They exude traits that the average person does not have. However, they’re not bulletproof.
Just like outsourcing, a freelancer or business owner may need help in other areas of their lives. Above, I mentioned implementing a regular exercise routine. It sounds simple but it’s not always easy. You may need some help. There are plenty of tools and videos on YouTube that you could simply copy. If you have the funds, another option is to hire a personal trainer.
The same applies to your finances. Now that you are a business owner, you may need legal support as well. For example, imagine that you have been in an accident and recovering from a brain injury. You may need support physically, mentally and even emotionally. Don’t attempt to do it all on your own. Seek a helping hand.
When you’re feeling unwell, whether it’s simply a cold that you’re suffering from or a more serious illness or injury, it’s important that you prioritize your health. Remember that you can implement processes that allow you to walk away momentarily from your daily routine.
***This article is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
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