Are you an entrepreneur? How many hats do you wear in a day?
Work-life balance – a popular topic amongst entrepreneurs that can be incredibly difficult to accomplish.
But self-care for entrepreneurs seems impossible when you wake up early after spending hours and hours in front of the computer the day before. You drink too much coffee, forget about eating healthy and haven’t worked out in while…sound familiar?
Trust me, I know the feeling.
As cliché as it may sound, in life, if you want to flourish, you have to nourish.
Nourishment isn’t just about eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sun. It’s also the way you care for yourself and how you take time out to replenish yourself so that you can be at your best.
Let me be straight here – I really enjoy my work, and I want to be able to run a successful business.
However, as a health coach, I know that in order to do that, it is essential that I look after myself.
Not only is self-care super important for our mood and psychological well-being, it also plays a really key role in our physical health.
If we feel in a slump, feel anxious or depressed, or get physically sick, how can we possibly run a successful business?
Stress, anxiety and being overworked leads to burnout and exhaustion, and so to combat this, and run a successful and thriving business, it is crucial that we practice self-care.
The truth is that entrepreneurship brings a lot of benefits – you get to work in what you love, manage your own schedule, build your team, and find your passion. But it requires immense self-discipline + patience. A big part of the success of your business is that you are healthy in every way, so you can tackle all those goals you have set for yourself.
Don’t know where to start? Let’s talk about 5 ways you can practice self-care for entrepreneurs.
1 Cultivate Healthy Habits
Taking care of yourself starts by cultivating healthy habits. Working out to manage your stress levels, eating healthy, meditating, and reading are some of the ways you can make sure you are balanced.
As easy as this sounds we all know that adopting a new habit can be tricky. It’s about consistency and awareness. So how can you actually do this? When setting new habits try not to overwhelm yourself. Instead of making a long list that can be difficult to tackle, try choosing no more than six habits and focus on them until you fully incorporate them into your daily routine.
2 Create a Schedule and Stick to It
One of the benefits of being an entrepreneur is to manage your own schedule. But since you have all this freedom to manage your day, it can be easy to get lost if you don’t set the tasks you would like to accomplish.
Take some time each week to create a schedule and truly stick to it. Even if you have to make adjustments throughout your day or something comes up, you will still have a clear idea of what you need to do.
My favourite way to use the momentum app on my desktop as this helps me create a list of to-do list and allows me to see it every time I open the browser. On one side I have a list of tasks that have to be completed on a daily basis, such as engaging on social media, client work and checking my email. And then I have a weekly schedule for those tasks that have a specific timeline. Then take it a step further. Create a task list every day, so you have a clear definition of when your day is complete.
Find out what works for you by experimenting with different methods: digital or physical planner, weekly or monthly schedule, working on your schedule before the week starts or each day.
This will help you stay on top of your game.
3 Make Time for Yourself – Without Feeling Guilty
When you are focused on working towards reaching your goals and find what you feel passionate about, it can be complicated to make time to also take care of yourself.
But that’s the thing, you have to MAKE the time because you can’t just wait to have that free space.
Write down on your schedule the time you are going to take for yourself. Whether that’s to spend it with your family, taking a yoga class, going to a spa or even just staying home and watch Netflix. I love my Netflix time. Have you seen Bates Motel? You really should. I don’t know if you’ll be relaxed after watching it but it’s good
The most important part here is to do this without feeling guilty. Friends often tell me that they think they are selfish when they do take time for themselves, but keep in mind that you are doing this to stay healthy and that you deserve it.
4 Get Out of your Comfort Zone
Being an online entrepreneur often means spending long days in front of the computer and having a specific routine.
Getting out of your comfort zone is also important if you want to stay healthy. It’s about challenging yourself and trying something different. Especially if you feel stuck, by just going out, socializing, attending an event, and network with other business owners can make a huge difference. Think about ways you can do this. Even if they seem small, sometimes you just need to take the very first step. Work from a coffee shop. if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen my stories, how often I drop into my local coffee shop or library to study. A change is as good as a holiday they say but for me, it increases productivity. Schedule a date night with your partner at a new restaurant.
5 Celebrate your Accomplishments
A few weeks ago, I was having a meltdown the day after a huge accomplishment. I expected my husband to make a big fuss for me! I forgot that I have to show them that it was an accomplishment in the first place. Let’s face it, entrepreneurs can be too hard on themselves at times. Wanting to conquer your goals and have a successful business can make you forget about celebrating your accomplishments.
Take some time to look back at how much you’ve learned, what you have accomplished, it doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. “Success is just a series of small wins.”
From getting new followers on social media, growing your email list, publishing that amazing course or selling top products. Celebrate it!
Do you have any tips for self-care for entrepreneurs?
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