Work-life balance or Life-work Balance?

The small business owner tends to be harder on themselves, they set higher internal expectations and generally only take time off when… well I don’t even know under what circumstances? (Confession: I was answering an enquiry email within hours of giving birth to my 1st child!)

Whereas, according to data from the Census Bureau, in the world of the employed;

‘An estimated 149.3 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in the UK in 2021, equivalent to 4.6 days per worker.’

The lack of the right kind of rest* we know, can lead to all sorts of challenges; forgetfulness, high-blood pressure, stress, chronic lack of energy and so on…

When starting out in business I admitted recently, to working around the clock, if not physically, definitely mentally and in retrospect, this was completely counter-productive – working like this led to an overly negative mindset, disillusionment of what it took to be a successful small business owner and an air of desperation to any potential new clients (I’m sure) which of course is never a good look. Work-life balance? What’s that?

To ensure you can continue to run a successful small business whilst feeling happy, rested, and fulfilled – to counter the lack of rest taken when slightly under the weather, are you taking care of your mind and body in other ways?

People may be surprised to see the extensive list of all the things I do to maintain my own self-care routine, which enables me to run a small business and look after two children without losing my mind.  Let’s just say I added up the time across an average week that I spend on ‘me time’ and proud to share its way into double figures. This time is time spent fully switched off from the outside world and focused on doing something that keeps my mind and body healthy. From learning the piano through to scheduled yoga practices.

Author of ‘17 Reasons Why Businesses Fail: Unscrew Yourself from Business Failure,’ Pooja Agnihotri shares:

“A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and a healthy mind is the most important tool you can have as a business owner.”
“A healthy mind will train you in facing your adversity like a champ.”
“No food will ever hurt you as much as an unhealthy mind.”

You may be thinking well where do I find the time for self-care? Intellectually we know self-care actually increases productivity. Two key pointers to get a self-care routine: start small and schedule it in – treat the time like you would a client appointment. If my self-care time wasn’t scheduled in I emphatically know each week or month when that appointment comes up I would always think and feel I was too busy, too stretched or too stressed for it… guaranteed. And guess what, afterwards I always feel absolutely amazing and ready for whatever is next.

Chronic diseases are on the up, no longer a disease associated with sovereigns from the 16th century, gout has even made a come-back! According to the Guardian it’s been going up by 4% each year.

Time to start listening to your body and mind? Help your small business run more sustainably – put one self-care activity in your diary this month and stick with it. Your future self will thank you…

*Listen to Saundra Dalton-Smith MD TED Talk on: The Real Reason why we are tired and what to do…

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