Dear readers,
today I would like to introduce you Jennifer Scott from Spiritfinder.org as my guest writer. It’s important to assess how you’re caring for yourself in several different domains so you can ensure you’re caring for your mind, body, and spirit. Enjoy the reading!
Entrepreneurs are focused, driven individuals who often prioritize business-building and professional performance over self-care. While this degree of devotion is admirable, it can be detrimental over the long term. If you run yourself to the ground or burn the candle at both ends for too long, it has the potential to have a negative impact on your business and your health. Instead, making yourself a priority, even while growing your business, can help ensure a strong future for both you and your venture. Graceful Story presents some self-care tips that can help you find that perfect balance.
Carve Out Time
Successful entrepreneurs are exceptional when it comes to time management. Personal care should be scheduled just like any other important appointment. Even if it’s just in 15-minute increments, taking time to step back and relax can help improve focus and performance when you’re in the office with clients and customers. If possible, set regular start and stop times for work and try not to take projects home with you unless it’s an absolute emergency. According to The Ladders, this might mean turning off your phone or committing to checking voicemail or email only once every other hour.
Recognize Stress
According to Career Addict, if you’re going a million miles an hour, it’s difficult to recognize when you’re overworked, overtired, or stressed out. Get in tune with your physical and mental health and look for signs that you may be running too hard. If you’re having trouble sleeping or you’re over-eating, under-eating, or consuming too much caffeine or alcohol, it could be a sign you need a physical and mental break. When you feel stress and anxiety creeping in, take proactive steps to address it before the emotion becomes overwhelming.
Be Kind to Yourself
Think about what brings you joy and a positive state of mind. Maybe it’s going for a run, taking a nap, relaxing via meditation, chatting with a friend, reading a book, or working on a hobby you enjoy. Don’t consider this a waste of time, but rather, an investment in yourself. Making a concentrated effort to ensure these things are still part of your everyday activities will help you create a healthy work/life balance that allows you to prioritize your mental and physical health.
Care for Your Body
To function efficiently, you need to eat healthy whole foods, be mindful of what you consume, get adequate exercise, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and manage any health conditions you have. Meal planning and prep and regular sleep and wake times can sharpen your focus, as can scheduled workout times. Regular checkups with your primary care provider can help you stay on top of your personal health. Be honest with your provider about stressors and challenges — they can make referrals to other providers, as needed, and be a good sounding board.
Get and Stay Organized
Having all of your ducks in a row will help ensure your business is running well, and that you have time to care for yourself. For example, hiring out services as necessary can help free up time for personal care while allowing someone else to handle minute details at work or at home while you focus on big-picture ideas. Forming a limited liability company, or LLC, is also a wise move, as it serves as a protection against some forms of liability, gives you flexibility, and makes it easier come tax time. You can do the legwork yourself, hire a pricey attorney, or use a formation company like ZenBusiness. LLC formation laws vary from one state to another, so learn about yours in advance.
Running at full speed only works for a short period of time. To ensure longevity and success in your business and your personal life, strive for a healthy balance that gives you the best of both worlds.
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