Boost Productivity, Job Satisfaction, and Your Bottom Line Guest Post: Stephanie Haywood
If you own a small business and are not taking time out of your busy schedule for self-care, you may be unwittingly sabotaging your productivity and bottom line. As Harvard Business Review explains, entrepreneurs who are especially passionate about what they do tend to overwork themselves and, as a consequence, experience burnout early on. Burnout can have personal and professional consequences, including excessive stress, decreased job satisfaction, and the inability to do your job well. However, with a bit of self-care and compassion, you can prevent burnout and all the consequences associated with it.
Structure Your Business for Success
Though an unconventional means of self-care, one of the best ways to take the stress out of business ownership is to structure your entity in such a way that gives you peace of mind. Of all the business entity types from which you can choose, a limited liability company offers the most advantages. An LLC offers protection against any liabilities your business accrues, flexibility in how you structure your management team, and numerous tax benefits. LLCs are also easy to form. You can file the forms to start an LLC through a formation service or by yourself, both of which cost far less than hiring an attorney.
Nurture Your Mind and Body
Physical well-being is indirectly linked to success. In fact, according to a CNBC report, 76% of the rich exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. The term “exercise” is relative, but as Oprah so eloquently puts it, it is anything that makes you “feel active,” such as running, walking, swimming, yoga, or riding a bike.
There are quite a few things you can do to nurture your mind as well. Ideally, however, you should begin with getting plenty of sleep. Adequate sleep improves concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills, reduces your risk of chronic illness, and replenishes your energy. It also reduces feelings of burnout, boosts productivity, and decreases your risk of making errors. So, how much sleep do you need each night to reap the most benefits? Most millionaires, according to one survey, prefer to get seven to eight hours per night.
Delegate Important Yet Energy-Sucking Tasks
Despite popular belief, you do not have to do everything on your own. There may be certain tasks — payroll, marketing, customer outreach, or even cleaning — that you simply do not enjoy doing but take up hours of your time each day. If that’s the case, outsource them.
Brick x Brick can manage your online presence and help you secure hundreds of new leads per month for a low monthly price. A virtual assistant can save you hours each week by taking on your payroll tasks. A professional cleaning crew can save you time and money. The point is, by not doing it all, you’re both showing yourself some compassion and boosting your bottom line in the process.
Give Relaxation Techniques a Try
When you’re experiencing aches and pains and are feeling mentally drained and out of sorts, try your hand at one of several powerful relaxation techniques you can do anywhere and with just a few minutes of your time. Among those include breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation and visualization, and stretching. These simple exercises can reduce stress and anxiety, boost creativity, improve concentration and increase productivity.
If self-care is not yet one of your priorities, it’s time you make it one. Start with one of the aforementioned ideas above. Let Brick x Brick take some of the busy work off your hands and help you maintain a self-care practice. Get in touch! ---- For more great tips and to see more of Stephanie's writing check out the website: My Life Boost