Take Time For A Time Off!
Being your own boss may seem like a good idea, but whether you are worrying about an order being delivered on time, struggling to meet your own deadlines or keeping the tax man at arm’s length, life as an entrepreneur can be very stressful.
Many business owners find themselves working 12-hour days, sometimes 7 days a week, to achieve their goals, but it shouldn’t be a long-term way of life. Those who go years without taking a holiday or miss out on quality family time because they are preoccupied with business matters can end up with problems, both physical and emotional.
Some stress is good, of course. No-one ever achieved anything by taking it easy and imputing a little nervous energy into something can often mean the difference between success and failure.
However, time away “from the shop” can make the world of difference to both your business and your personal life – and you don’t even have to spend any of that hard-earned cash you are generating to do it. Try hanging out with the kids for an hour, indulging in some pointless creativity (paper folding instead of pen-pushing?) – or even doing some aggressive weeding in that garden you never have time to sit in – they can all be very therapeutic.
Studies have also shown that laughter is as good a medicine as any for anxiety, and a good belly-laugh lowers the stress hormones in the blood and boosts the immune system. A double dose of Family Guy, Mr Bean or whatever tickles your funny-bone may be exactly what the doctor ordered and will be much cheaper and effective than paying for stress counselling later down the line.
So what are you waiting for? Take the rest of the day off!
Please note: This article is a commentary on general principles and should not be interpreted as advice for your specific situation.
Image courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
