I'm writing this on a Friday night, in my bed with the electric blanket, comfy pants and Spotify playlist on, away from the loud enthusiastic-ness of my xbox playing family. Self Care for the win.
It's been a particularly challenging two weeks. (not in business!) More than particularly, if I'm honest, and with no sign of it easing up soon. That's why it's so fitting we are focusing on Self Care this month. It can benefit me as well.
So. Why is self care so important when you're in business?
I'm going to do a whole other post on burnout. It's something many of us can relate to (my hand is up), and it's something that we all CAN avoid, if we choose to put the work in. But that's the big, ultimate goal of looking after ourselves - avoiding the dreaded burnout. Right?
So what, then? If this article isn't about burnout, why am I bothering?
In my other business, where I help women find themselves again through regular movement, it's all about finding a balance in our lives. And that is a part of it, we can't just be busy business owners and workers and have a great work life balance and that's it.
There's so much more to it than that.
This month isn't telling you to book a manicure and have more bubble baths. Stuff that. This is about the gritty self care, the stuff that REALLY works.
Not gonna lie. I liked that quote so much, I just went off and made an instagram tile for it.
I'm going off track here. I do that with topics I'm passionate about. 🤣
So, no. Self care isn't all bubble baths and manicures. BUT, if those things help you to clear space in your mind, then fill ya boots. You have to do what works for you.
Some ideas, and their "whys"
- Maybe it's outsourcing some of your work or life tasks that don't "spark joy". (If it is, I know this pretty cool Virtual Assistant who can help you with some of that)
- Maybe it's a regular catch up with the gals or lads to decompress and solve the worlds problems.
- Maybe it's spending time each Sunday night planning out your week so you hit Monday morning running (this is one of my favourites) Starting your week knowing exactly where you're at and what is expected of you can be a game changer.
- Maybe your mind will be more open to a productive day if you start it with some exercise. Get your body moving and when you go to sit down at the computer, you're wide awake and ready for battle. (ahem.... your day)
- Movement at any other time of the day. Whenever works for you. Personally, I'm a late night girl, so getting up early never works for me. But exercise at a time that suits me makes my mind SO much clearer and I'm so much happier and more efficient in my work when I've been active. The happy vibes from exercise are very much a thing, and that's why I've made it my main focus at MisFIT.
- Getting more sleep - One that many of us can relate to. It's easy to stay up late, working late or otherwise, then get up and do the school run or sit in traffic, and just start to run low on the zzzz. Very quickly the brain fog sets in, you're not as productive and you may start pissing people off.
- Take a good look at your diet. No, really. Is what you're eating conducive to a happy, productive mind? Or is it more bakery runs and drive thru stops during the mad rush.
- Are you drinking plenty of fluids? I don't mean the alcoholic and caffeine filled ones. Ideally that clear one that isn't vodka. I've stepped my water intake up recently after being a bit slack, and it's making so much difference to my mind clarity and my energy.
And the biggest one.....
STOP BEING A PEOPLE PLEASER AND START SAYING "NO" TO THE THINGS YOU DON'T ACTUALLY WANT TO DO, CAN'T DO OR JUST DON'T HAVE SPACE FOR!!
As a business owner, it's easy to be a people pleaser.
We take on so much, and we get so strung out and stressed, and eventually it's all too much and everything is too hard. The mental clutter, the tiredness, the emotions, the STRESS!!
Sound familiar?
When we make the effort to look after ourselves, everything both in business and in life just gets better. We have more clarity, we're more efficient, and generally, it leaves us able to do better in our business, whether that's by bringing in more money or by our clients satisfaction.
This is where I've fallen short lately. I kept saying yes to things, when I know I'm already working at capacity for May (over, actually) and it makes everything just that bit more complicated. I've rejigged my schedule a bit now, tweaked a few things and I'm good again, and immediately I feel the mental stress reducing. But if I had just practiced some self care myself, I wouldn't have gotten in that position.
So. What's the first change you're going to make?
Nikki