Self-Care is Good for Business!
Self-Care Is Good for Business
As a busy entrepreneur, you already understand that everything you do at work matters to your bottom line. But the things you do outside of the office also play a role in your overall success. And if you’re not already indulging in self-care practices, such as taking vacations, exercising, and making preemptive business decisions to reduce stress, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Pretty Girl Makeup takes a look at why self-care is so important for entrepreneurs and the ways to manage it while managing your business.
Why Taking Care of Yourself Matters
There are many reasons why giving in to your personal needs is important. Not only does it help you have a better relationship with yourself, but fueling your mental, physical, and emotional sides can also help you be a better boss and business owner. When you feel good, your attitude about work changes and you’re less likely to get overwhelmed by unavoidable circumstances, such as the occasional missed deadline or an upset customer.
Self-Care Tips
While you already know that self-care involves things like massages and meditation, there are many more (often practical) things you can do to take good care of yourself. A few things to consider are:
Hire the right people. Hiring the right people does not mean bringing in your best friend or family members to help with your business. In fact, this can be a major mistake that can lead to strained relationships. Instead, draft an accurate job description and come up with a competitive compensation package. During the interview process, watch for red flags, including poor work history and significant employment gaps, that can’t be explained by practical matters, such as leaving the workforce to take care of children or elderly family members.
Form your business structure. If you haven’t already, it’s time to legalize your business. In addition to obtaining your business licenses and insurance, you’ll take the stress off yourself by forming an LLC, which can help protect your personal money and property if something negative happens with your business. Depending on where you live, an LLC formation service may be able to save you money when compared to paying an attorney to draft the paperwork.
Outsource financials to an accountant. Numbers not your thing? Find a bookkeeper or CPA who can keep your books in order. This will keep you from stressing over profits and late payments or entering a number incorrectly and throwing your entire inventory off track.
Look your best at work. Looks are not everything, but how you look certainly affects how you feel. If you’re a new business owner just getting back into the public, take yourself shopping or learn how to do your makeup quickly and professionally.
Get enough sleep. According to Hult International Business School, how much you sleep — or don’t sleep — can affect productivity in the office. Sleep deprivation results in poor performance and can take a toll on your physical health, ultimately leading to more unexpected time off. If you can’t get eight hours each night, don’t settle for less than seven because your body needs at least this to heal from the previous day.
Stock the fridge with healthy foods. Fast food not only hurts your waistline, but it can make you feel sluggish and tired. Plan to pack a healthy lunch each day so that you are not tempted to hit the drive-through. As an added benefit, you’ll save money, which you can put toward things like massages and vacations.
Self-care isn’t selfish and, as a business owner, treating yourself right is the best thing you can do for your income and the happiness of your customers and employees. Take care of yourself by eating well, getting enough sleep, and making important business decisions that save you time and ease stress. With the right attitude toward self-care, you’ll see how it becomes an asset to your business that you’ll no longer want to live without.