Tired. On edge. Stressed. Overwhelmed. Worried.
Do any of these describe how you’ve been feeling lately?
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One of the main reasons I love my job as an entrepreneur, consultant, and content creator is because I get the ability to make my own schedule, set up my own terms, and create the business life I really want! These may be part of your list too, and they have been blessings as I continue expanding my marketing business and The Network Niche.
However, a lot of people don’t see the uphill struggle as a woman, as a woman of color, and as a woman of color paving her own path in business. The sleepless nights, the pressure to perform, the tight deadlines, and balancing that on top of motherhood as a divorced mom, family, and other responsibilities is a full-time, 24/7/365, job! I know you can relate.
Many days it feels like I just can’t get a break from it all. Especially this year, with all the “surprises” (for lack of a better word) 2020 gave us. Life feels especially difficult, and I know you and I are both wondering, “Could I have at least a second to myself, please?”
Addressing your health is important, because without it, we can’t function. Entrepreneurs may be more vulnerable to mental health struggles than non-entrepreneurs, which is why it is essential to take action early. I’ve put together a list of five simple steps you can take to balance your mental wellness while taking on the many demands of entrepreneurship.
Five Simple Steps You Can Take to Balance Your Mental Wellness
1. Take Time Off
What good is making your own schedule if you don’t take advantage of that?
Taking time off to unplug and have fun is good for your mental health! Create time to do the things you enjoy – tap into your passions and hobbies, things that ARE NOT work-related, and just chill. It could be as simple as reading, or watching a movie on Netflix, or even just listening to some music. Do something that helps you decompress, and if you have to, find someone to “force” you to have fun! If you’re not a fan of huge breaks, schedule little breaks throughout the day to section work time and fun time. As entrepreneurs, we sometimes feel guilty for relaxing, but remember that if you’re not at your best, you can’t give your business the best either. Another thing to keep in mind is that true success comes in the form of your joy and happiness. Think about what makes YOU happy, and do it!
2. Make Sleep a Priority
Sleep. Is. Necessary!
I will admit that sometimes I don’t get as much sleep as I probably should. There are only so many hours in a day, right? As sleep time gets less important on the ‘to do’ list, we get more irritable, exhaust easily, and it becomes more difficult to focus or concentrate on what we’re doing. If you’re running on four or five hours of sleep a night, you can’t achieve much the next day. Know when enough is enough, and set a bedtime for yourself if it helps! The human mind and body needs six to nine hours of sleep nightly, but for optimal brain performance, eight hours is the best bet. Listen to your body – if you feel uncomfortable or tired, look at those signs, and take it easy. Personally, I need 7 hours of sleep. After years of getting four or five hours a night, I finally made sleep a priority and I do not regret it.
3. Delegate and Seek Support
It’s easier said than done to ask for help. So often we tell ourselves “I can do this… by myself.” It is tempting to want to do it all on your own, but know that it’s ok to ask for and seek support. Talk to a trusted friend or a family member if you need reminders to take a breather. If you have kids, consider teaching them how to take care of a few tasks that have to do with your business (and pay them)- that way you can delegate to them, and they learn valuable skills! I have taught my kids to schedule copy I wrote for social media and upload to Hootsuite for my accounts. This easy task takes about an hour of work off my plate. Enough time to cook dinner, workout, or just relax.
When it comes to your mental health, seek guidance from a trained professional, such as a therapist or a counselor, in order to get help. Or if you have a need to connect with someone – find other entrepreneurs to engage with.
4. Create Daily Self-Care Routines
Routines are a wonderful way to put healthy habits in place. Set an alarm on your phone to take 15 minutes for yourself as soon as you wake up, that way you’re not putting off this moment for later (and then later never comes). Meditation in the morning or midday is a great habit that takes as little as ten minutes. I know several ladies who have a skin routine, and they pair that with self-affirming talk as well. Even if you don’t have a skin routine, you can find other routines, like drinking water or taking a 10-minute walk outside that will give you a reprieve from a busy day.
5. Set Boundaries on Your Personal Time
Setting boundaries can be so hard to do! Having FIRM boundaries is an integral part of a work-life balance. As entrepreneurs, we are often tempted to work around the clock. Practice saying NO, and having a clear purpose with all you do. A great way to start is to limit when you take phone calls and respond to texts/emails from clients or other work-related contacts. If you don’t work on weekends, make it clear that you won’t be responding to emails at 5 pm on Fridays. If you get a text at 11 pm on a Wednesday night, don’t respond to it until the morning. If you’re on vacation, you can also set an email auto-responder letting them know you’re unavailable. Let your clients know you will be out of the office. They will understand. If they do not, then it’s okay.
It took me a while to coach myself out of saying YES to every opportunity that comes my way. One of my good friends says that when you say YES to something, you’re saying NO to something else.
All of these are great ways to be more mindful of your mental wellness and start 2021 with a fresh slate! What tips would you add to the list?
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