There’s a saying in business: … No one is irreplaceable. … But that’s not necessarily true in an entrepreneurial, family run or privately held business. You most likely started the company. You hold the title of CEO, president, business owner and/or founder. You’re considered the leader everyone looks to for direction and inspiration. You’re the visionary. Without your guidance and input into every facet of the business it would most likely fall apart. You are living your business dream. Putting it in action every day. You do a lot to take care of business but do you take care of yourself?
This is a very important question as ultimately the answer will impact the success and longevity of your company. It will also determine as time goes by how much you enjoy the work each day. Remember time is all anyone has. So make the most of it. You can’t get time back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Being in business is your way to make the world a better place by solving what someone else considers to be a problem, large or small. What you contribute to the world as a business person is important.
Because the company takes so much of your energy and time, you may be fortunate to get a few days off here or there; perhaps a long weekend. You may be working extraordinary long hours – long nights turn into early mornings; weekends aren’t totally your own. Yes, you are doing it out of choice because it’s your business. It’s just what needs to be done.
Ask yourself:
How can I take care of my customers and employees that depend on me if I don’t care of myself?
There is always something that needs to be done when you’re a CEO, president or business owner. Now it’s time to stop working if only for a few minutes.
Since you are the “leader of the pack” or the “glue that keeps everything together” to move the business forward, you need to think about yourself, what your needs are and make a conscious effort to take care of yourself and take some time for yourself. By doing so, it will make you better at what you already do well. Which means your business will benefit too.
Here are some tips to get started:
- Take time every day, schedule it on your calendar, where you can sit and just be quiet with your thoughts. Think about your business. Write down whatever comes to mind. Some ideas will never be more than what is written down but others will manifest into making the business more successful and more profitable; give your company a more competitive edge. By doing this every day for 10 – 30 minutes you will personally find yourself to be more productive with more clarity of thought in your decisions.
- Meditate.
- Make time to get your yearly annual medical exam and six month dental checkups.
- Schedule time on the treadmill or to go to the gym.
- Take an hour and enjoy a brown bag lunch in nearby park, if possible. Stop eating all those drive-thru cheeseburgers loaded down with fries on the side. Drink more water. Don’t live on caffeine all day. If you find it necessary to order in your lunch, think through your food choices more carefully. Ultimately, it will bring more energy and more focus to your business day.
- Call a family member or a friend and say, “Let’s go out to dinner tonight!” You deserve a night off from working late or taking work home which may keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.
- If possible, take a few days off to “recharge your batteries”; to get a fresh perspective which you can only do by getting away from the office. Put your email on “out of the office” mode and turn it off for a weekend night. Unplug. You deserve a break from all the work you do.
- Make it a goal to get your business to a management level where you can take a week off at least a two times a year. It will give you something to look forward to other than just work. You’ll also find the time away from the company will bring a new outlook when you return to work after a week or 10 days (if scheduled around a major holiday) away.
As a CEO, president or business owner, you can’t afford to be sick. Or be so exhausted you can’t think about the business problems you are currently faced with let alone the future of your company.
You have a business plan and a vision from your company in your head and written out in detail, now let’s get a personal well-being plan in place. For your continued good health and mindset as well as the well-being and long term health of your company.
A key to business success is to take care of yourself as well as the business.
To your success – and well-being!
Business expert and strategist, Howard Lewinter, guides – focuses – advises CEOs, presidents and business owners throughout the United States to MORE success – MORE profit – less stress. Business problems? Business issues? Get MORE from your business! Talk business with Howard: 888-738-1855.