Prioritizing yourself should be part of your business plan from the very beginning.
Brint Hiatt is not just your business and estate planning attorney; he’s also been an entrepreneur since high school. As a long-time entrepreneur, he can help you better understand what your business needs to succeed, and what might cause your business to fail. According to Brint, one of the major setbacks for countless business owners is burnout: a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Here’s some of Brint’s best advice on how to support your business and your customers by supporting yourself:
Set Boundaries: As a small business owner, your work is never truly over for the day. It’s easy to get consumed by your business, but setting clear boundaries between your work and personal life is essential. Brint suggests attempting to designate specific work hours and really trying to stick to them. You can do this by avoiding checking emails or taking work calls during off-hours as much as possible.
Delegate: As much as you can, try not to do everything yourself. If you have employees, train them to take over tasks that you don’t need to do. If employees are not practical for your business plan, you can always look into outsourcing some of the functions of your business. This will help to free up your time and reduce stress – which will likely result in happier clients/customers, and better-quality products/services.
Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks throughout your workday. Even short breaks can help you recharge and maintain your focus and productivity. This goes for prioritizing time spent with family and friends also – sometimes, unplugging for a while is the best way to reinvigorate your passion for your business. If you’re hesitant about taking that vacation, let this be your sign to book it now!
Physical Health: Prioritize your physical well-being by getting regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, and getting enough sleep. Physical health has a direct impact on your mental and emotional well-being, and your mental and emotional well-being has a direct impact on your business.
Practice Mindfulness: Brint practices meditation throughout the workday. He incorporates mindfulness techniques into his routine, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. These practices help him manage stress and stay focused, so he can be the best lawyer he can be for his clients.
Learn to Say No: This one is something we admittedly struggle with at Hiatt Law, but Brint encourages small business owners to learn to decline further commitments when they are already overwhelmed. Learning to say “no” protects your time and energy, and ensures that your prior commitments are given the best care possible.
Celebrate Your Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate both small and big achievements. Recognizing your successes boosts your motivation and self-esteem. This goes for your team, too. If you have employees, celebrate them! Similarly, a small business is very often a family business – don’t forget to tell your family you are grateful for their support. We love seeing our Clients succeed, and part of that success is comfort, happiness, and – you guessed it – practicing self-care. By prioritizing yourself, we truly believe you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever life might throw at your small business. — Are you still feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of running your business? Schedule a FREE strategy session with a team member to learn more about supporting your business, starting by supporting yourself.