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Edema wrote recently about how staying healthy can impact employee productivity, which is equally applicable to aspiring entrepreneurs.
When starting a business, it is all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day running of things and begin to overlook other essential parts of your life.
When you have deadlines looming and bills to pay, skipping meals and working all night seems like the logical thing to do. But working in this way is counterintuitive and certainly not sustainable over the long term.
To give your business the best chance of success, you need to be in your best form, which means taking care of yourself both physically and mentally.
Many famous self-improvement writers have spoken of the impact of finding balance across the different areas of life.
For example, Stephen R Covey’s best-selling book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” talks about the importance of Sharpening the Saw, “preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have, you.”
Many entrepreneurs will tell you that they don’t have the time to worry about these things but keep in mind that some of the most influential and successful people in the world see health and well-being as an essential part of their routine.
Even President Obama takes time out from his busy schedule to keep fit by playing basketball.
Build Powerful Habits
Building powerful habits in the crucial areas of your life will put you on the fast track to success. In the words of American author and philosopher Will Durant, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
So it would be best if you allowed adequate time for these things:
Nutrition
Skipping lunch or picking up junk food on the go is not how successful people fuel their bodies. Research has shown that “Food has a direct impact on our cognitive performance, which is why a poor decision at lunch can derail an entire afternoon.” The trick is to plan your food and make sure you always have plenty of healthy snacks to hand.
Similarly, a simple intermittent fast or 500 calorie diet can be an effective way to balance periods of excess with periods of greater control. It is advisable to consult your doctor before you embark on either.
Exercise
Keeping fit doesn’t mean that you have to stick to a strict gym routine. Simply raising your baseline level of activity can have enormous positive benefits. Walking more regularly, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or committing to a few press-ups in the morning are simple changes that will help to keep you in shape.
Sleep
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that, on average, US workers lose over 11 days of productivity each year due to poor sleep. So over the long term, burning the candle at both ends can only harm your business. Even in a short time, the quality of your work deteriorates rapidly when you’re tired, so if you’re pushing hard to meet a deadline, you may find it better to get some sleep and resume work in the morning.
Play
As the saying goes, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Make time for fun, creativity, and silliness in your life. It helps to put your hard work in perspective. Spending time outside of your typical day-to-day routine increases your chances of encountering new things, and inspiring new ideas that you can take back into your business.
Visualize/meditate
Meditation is a centuries-old practice that is once again growing in popularity. In a world that seems to be always on the go, mindfulness and meditation are a refreshing break for the soul. You can also use this time to think about the future and build a clear picture of what you’d like to achieve and how you will get there.
The Benefits Speak for Themselves
Having the strength and discipline to carve out this time for you will have several profound benefits:
- You will be more productive– A better diet and exercise, combined with more rest, will give you a boost in energy that carries through to your work.
- You will feel less stress– Exercise is an excellent way to relieve stress, and your improved levels of productivity will help you feel more on top of things.
- You will be more confident – With a clearer picture of where you want to go, clarity over what is essential, and peak physical conditioning, you’ll have a sense of confidence that carries through everything you do.
Take Deliberate Action to Achieve Success
The key to building these elements into your lifestyle is to make conscious decisions, don’t run on autopilot, pick up food on the go, or take the elevator by default.
Success breeds success, and once you start to feel the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, it’ll make it far easier to stick with the positive habits.
Remember; don’t feel guilty about making time for yourself. It could turn out to be one of the key ingredients to your long-term success.
