Today’s entrepreneur needs to look after themselves and that is the missing ingredient when they plan their schedules. Well-being is commonly used in philosophy to describe what is ultimately good for a person. Well-being is both subjective and personal.
For me, well-being is about ensuring that we have a balance with work, life and family. I am lucky to work daily with successful, talented and passionate business owners and mentors. Some are start-ups and some are established. They are driven, have vision, work ethic and a strong moral compass. Far too often, their extreme business focus has left them unbalanced and often unhealthy and they are recognising this. The affects are everywhere, in their relationships, their environment, and their finances and yes even their beloved business. Everyone around them sees the tired eyes with dark circles, the extra weight, not to mention the stressed out, adrenaline crazed look on their face. Of course, I am also talking about me here. I am still learning.
My clients talk about the lack of time and ask for strategic time saving techniques. Behind the words, the low mood, the professional guise, it seems as though they are really saying please, I can’t take one more thing, I am exhausted, spent, when is it my time? HELP I need space. Through the telephone, I seem to be able to hear the quiet desperation behind each conversation.
I ask my clients…Tell me about how you take care of yourself? or How do you re-energize and stay focused? I say. A loud silence follows then a muffled stutter Well I took my kids to the zoo last month, ummm I guess I get my energy from work, ummm, thats all I seem to do? long sigh.
Remember these are highly intelligent, powerful and successful people, so of course, their employees and colleagues don’t say anything. Their spouse or a friend might tell them they need to take time off as they are beginning to look awful!!
I understand. I really do, I own a small business too and I am there too. The to-do list is never ending! Add to that the value we place as a society on self-sacrificing hard work, making money, getting ahead. Even valueing family first can leave a well-meaning person left feeling drained.
We all know we need to move our bodies and eat well to thrive physically. Add to that prayer or meditation for your spirit and mind. Let us not leave out loving relationships for our emotional well-being. So why is wellbeing seemingly difficult? Is the payoff worth the cost?
Each call I chip away at my hard working clients getting them to take time off here and find some space there. Maybe they decide to go for a morning walk, or change their diet. Sometimes they just need permission from someone and make dramatic changes on their own. Always, Always, Always it elevates their business in both profit and productivity.
If you recognize yourself here, I ask that you use the same intelligence, creative spirit and drive that you used to start your business and take care of yourself. Trust that other entrepreneurs have taken the well-being challenge, or are realising that they need to and have realised that they have greatly improved their businesses but more importantly their health and their lives!
My previous blog – 5 steps to Loving Yourself is a taster of the kinds of things to do to begin the well-being journey and I will talk more about this subject in my 2 hour workshop in association with Sophia Hubs (Seven Kings, who offer practical support to help you set up a social enterprise or small business in Redbridge) and Enterprise Desk, (a business hub initiative providing opportunities to help start-ups) in the theme of personal development and Well-Being.
In the workshop, I aim to help entrepreneurs to experience keys to changing their mindset towards their own well-being.I hope you will join me on:
When: 22nd March 2016
Time: 12noon – 2pm
Where:2nd Floor, Ilford Central Library.
More Info:Call me for details. 07792 611406 – www.healing-feeling.com
