Beverlee Rasmussen CEC PCC Could it be over-due bills? Team building? Social media presence?
It may come as a surprise to you, but the #1 thing small business owners neglect is themselves.
Issues that come up are general health, exhaustion, no exercise, not taking prescribed medication, not taking time to go to a doctor, being overweight, no sleep, self-medicating with illegal and/or over-the-counter medications, not taking time to play; you get the point.
Often small business owners are so focused on the health of their workplace, they forget to look after themselves.
The ironic thing is that without your health, all the other “priorities” quickly become irrelevant.
Business owners who have spent the better part of their lives working to increase their financial wealth at the expense of their health, turn around and spend their accrued wealth to heal their bodies from the damaging effects of stress and neglect of their fundamental needs.
Entrepreneurs tend to put their physical and mental health on the back burner to a long list of urgent priorities.
When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.
– Augusten Burroughs
Create a system that prioritizes your health in the workplace and at home.
This can show up as:
- A system for scheduling vacation so you have a healthy amount of time off work.
- Bringing a healthy lunch every day to your workplace.
- Creating a stress release centre in your building.
- Scheduling physical health and dental appointments.
- Talking with a nutritionist or mental health professional.
In what ways can you improve your work systems to prioritize your health?
As you work to schedule in time for healthy activities, ask yourself if you allow the same for your employees. It pays business owners to know their employees and to concern themselves with the things that take a toll on their health. A business is only as healthy as its least healthy workers.
Health is especially important right now as we transition to the next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been a stressful year, and a half and as we protect ourselves against this disease, we can’t neglect the other important habits that keep us safe and healthy, at home and in the workplace.
Stay safe and take care!
