Professional Development

By Christopher Haymon | 4 Minute read

Entrepreneurs give their all to their startups, often putting self-care on the back burner. Over the long term, this can result in burnout that can be detrimental to your health, and to the health of your company.  Anchored Development is a resource for small business owners pursuing both professional and personal opportunities that allow them to reach their goals.

Set Yourself Up For Success

Ensuring your business is set up for success is one of the best first measures you can take. Having a business plan and budget in place is essential as is establishing a limited liability company, or LLC. An LLC can protect you from some types of liability, give you greater flexibility with less paperwork, and make it easier to file at tax time. You can do the legwork yourself or pay an attorney, but your best bet is to utilize an online formation company that can take away the guesswork and hassle. Laws around LLC formation are different for each state, so learn about yours before proceeding.

Why Is Self Care A Necessity?

When you start short-changing your body by denying it sleep, feeding it junk food, and letting stress go unchecked, it has the potential to derail your everyday life. According to Very Well Mind, when this happens, you can suffer from anxiety attacks, a short temper, and a lack of concentration, which can be detrimental to both personal and business relationships. On the other hand, when you make time for key self-care measures, you’re likely to have more energy, be better focused, and be proactive, rather than reactive, in business matters. 

What To Drink

When you feel you have a to-do list that is a mile long, it’s easy to turn to caffeine and energy drinks to give you a little boost to power through the day. While this might work initially, over the long run, you’ll start to feel the negative impact. Stimulants are artificial replacements for actual energy, and many are packed with chemicals and other additives your body doesn’t need. You may end up feeling wired an jittery, and as part of a snowball effect, will need depressants like alcohol or sleeping aids to help you come back down in the evening. Your best bet is to make water your number one beverage of choice.

What To Eat

Food should be considered your body’s fuel. If you fill yourself with high-fat, high-sodium, and sugary carbs, you’re going to feel sluggish and run down. Skipping meals can be even worse. Instead, stick to a regular diet of whole grains, lean meats, and fresh produce. Meal prep for the week and have healthy snacks like dried fruit and nuts, fat-free yogurt, or smoothie ingredients on hand for when you’re in a hurry. If you have to eat out, select grilled options, ask for sauces and dressings on the side, and replace extras like fries and onion rings with side salads and fruit opinions. 

How You Move and Rest

Entrepreneurs have to prioritize everything in their lives to effectively manage time, and things like exercise are routinely left behind as “non-essential.” While a regular exercise routine is ideal, you can still get in heart-healthy physical activity on the go. Walk rather than drive short distances; take the stairs instead of the elevator; get a fitness tracker that reminds you when to stand and walk; or take business calls on an office treadmill. Sleep is equally important. Turn off your electronics and sleep in a cool, dark room. According to the Sleep Foundation, you should keep regular bedtimes and wake times, and use a white noise machine if you have trouble tuning out ambient sounds. 

Entrepreneurship takes an investment of time, money, and energy, but you can help ensure your business’ success by starting with self-care. Build in recharge time in the form of yoga or meditation; take time to read a book, take a hike, or visit with friends. Hire out services someone else can do – like cleaning! All of these measures will give you a better-balanced quality of life.