As a small business owner, your company is not just a part of your life – it is your livelihood. The focus to grow and expand your business can sometimes overshadow focusing on yourself and your needs, and taking care of you is just as important as taking care of your business. As the year is quickly winding down, but for many of us Q4 is the busiest part, so we decided it was the perfect time to bring up the idea of self-care.
In order to stay competitive, it is important to incorporate wellness into your routine, and there are several ways you can do this:
Select a Hobby
Find something you love and do it at least once a week. It would be great if you could do it once a day, but that is not always realistic. Set aside at least an hour a week to do something just for you; whether that is painting, reading, yoga, or going on a nature walk. Whatever it is, use it as “you time” and not time to go over your to-do list.
Volunteer
Volunteer in your community. Being active in your community, not just as a business owner, is a great way to give back and help boost your mood. Pick up litter, participate in a charity 5K, walk dogs at a local shelter – something that is good for your mental outlook and good for your neighborhood.
Do Something for Another Business Owner
Write positive reviews for other store owners. Share a great experience you had at another small business. Showing your support for other small businesses creates a friendly and collaborative environment in your community.
Highlight the Good
Practice wellness during staff meetings. Have everyone share a positive encounter they had in the business that week to start off your meetings. You can also highlight employee accomplishments or take the staff on a team-building outing to show your appreciation. You can even give local currency to employees who have gone above and beyond. Making wellness an integral part of your business will boost employee morale.
Connect with Others
Connect with other small business owners. Other owners may have similar struggles and can empathize with you. It is good to have a network of people who understand your situation. Together, you may even discover a way your businesses can offer an affiliate program or collaboration. You should also be sure to share with each other everything that is going well; often we focus on what is going wrong when there is so much going right.
However you choose to incorporate wellness activities, know that it is just as important for your small business as it is for you. As the owner, being happy and healthy will help your business thrive, so make wellness a top priority.
