Why Practicing Self-Care Equals Success In Your Business

When I started my first business, I had a newborn son and a 7-year-old daughter. It was a lot to juggle! Late night feeding and earaches and school functions weaved among client meetings and deadlines and lead generation and sales calls. Oh yeah, and family plans and friends and church and car repairs and bill paying. My personal care was not even on the list!

Maybe you can relate. Are you worn out, your patience wearing thin?

I want you to hear me now:

It’s normal! It’s ok. You are an amazing business owner, mom/dad, wife/husband, daughter/son, aunt/uncle, friend, and/or pet owner! And, you are only human.

For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you.

I know how hard you work. I know how hard you try. I know you are doing your best. I want you to know…it is enough!

The most important first step to self-care is to give yourself GRACE. You will make mistakes. You will learn hard lessons. You will feel foolish sometimes. You will feel like giving up. Please know that this is a normal part of leading a business. When you occasionally feel disappointed or unsure or frustrated, it’s because you have stepped out in courage and are experiencing personal growth! Grace should calm your inner critic.

The second step to self-care is to give yourself COMFORT. Let someone else watch the kids for an hour or two. Go in your room & lock the door, crawl into bed, hug a pillow, and maybe cry. And nap, if you want to. Stay off your phone. This is not the time to check emails, reply to texts, read the feed, or check the news. But you could watch a sitcom, listen to upbeat music, or take a walk. Comfort should lift your spirits!

The final step is to take a little time to PLAN. Journal about your feelings and the situation. What is going on that is frustrating you? What are the challenges you are facing? What has worked for you in the past? What is going well right now? Take that information to come up with a plan of action. Perhaps it’s a new mini-habit you are going to try, such as going to bed earlier each night. Or maybe it’s just the next step to take for your business when you get back to your desk. Planning should affirm agency over your life and help you feel more in…