Sales and Marketing - Jen Jordan
Jen Jordan brings a wealth of life and leadership experiences to her writing. After 10 years creating a variety of content for a nonprofit, Jen decided to establish her own writing business. She specializes in creating high quality blog and website content for small businesses. When she's not writing, Jen is a competitive triathlete with a goal of completing a triathlon in all 50 states.
| |
4 Easy and Practical Self-Care Strategies for Small Business OwnersIn today’s fast-paced world, "stressed" seems to be the common theme and small business owners are no exception. Most small business owners wear many hats and juggle business demands, family responsibilities, and many other obligations. There’s often pressure to "hustle until you can’t hustle anymore." When the "to-do" list seems longer than a CVS receipt, self-care can seem like a distant luxury or another chore to add to the list. Self-care doesn’t need to include expensive trips, yoga retreats, or complicated strategies that bring day-to-day life to a screeching halt (although there is an appropriate time for that, too). Self-care can also include simple, daily acts or even eliminating the things you think you need to do but aren’t actually very important. We gathered four simple and cost-effective self-care strategies that small business owners can incorporate into the ultra-busy life of an entrepreneur. 1. Set healthy boundaries and learn to say "no." This one might not seem like an obvious "self-care" strategy. We live in a culture that makes us feel that every moment of every day should be filled with something-or at least be productive. We often over-schedule ourselves and struggle to keep up with responsibilities. It is possible to decline obligations and invitations that aren’t critical. Learning to say no can be profoundly liberating for small business owners and their families, creating more balance and "margin" in the routine. Saying no to some things (even good things) can liberate you, allowing you to focus on the things that will truly help you reach your goals and full potential. Author and business executive Seth Godin says, "The short-run always seems urgent, and a moment where compromise feels appropriate. But in the long run, it’s the good no’s that we remember." 2. Do one little thing that makes you happy Even if it’s just once a day, take a few minutes to do one thing that is "life-giving" to you. Whether it’s tossing the ball with your child, meditating, going for a short walk, or hitting the gym, take some time to get those "feel-good" endorphins flowing. Many successful small business owners treat these times as non-negotiable meetings with themselves. It’s ok to set aside time each day or several days a week and protect it. After all, mental and physical health is a priority. 3. Don’t sacrifice your routine when things get busy Routine can be a valuable tool for productivity, mindfulness, and self-care. Yet, it’s easy to justify skipping seemingly "non-essential" parts of your routine when the "to-do" list gets long. Having a set morning and evening routine provides healthy boundaries and a sense of control in stressful times. Having a routine can also help set a tone for your entire day and help you transition into and out of "work mode"at the beginning and end of each day. Even if you’re not much of a "routine person," having one or two actions to bookend your workdays can be very helpful. 4. Don’t underestimate the power of staying hydrated Even the busiest entrepreneur can find a way to stay hydrated, and that’s no small investment in your health! Staying hydrated helps keep joints lubricated and healthy, prevents infections, keeps your organs functioning properly, and even helps regulate your body temperature. Being well hydrated can also improve your sleep and overall mood. So, even when you’re at your busiest, set a series of "hydration alarms" throughout the day to remind you to keep sipping water. No matter how you pursue balance, self-care, and health, take the time and create the space! Being proactive in caring for yourself will help you feel more focused and enable you to live and work at your best. Works Cited https://www.shopify.com/blog/self-care-for-entrepreneurs https://www.ruby.com/blog/self-care-business-owners/ https://clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/ https://www.score.org/blog/5-practical-self-care-tips-small-business-owners-during-pandemic https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/326643 https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/361464 https://www.createcultivate.com/blog/self-care-for-small-business-owners/ |
|