A couple of years ago, I saw first hand what can happen to a founder, and the business, when the founder practices unhealthy habits, such as working 20 hours a day. A typical “Type A” personality, with boundless energy and enthusiasm, she aggravated some previous health limitations until she was bedridden, and the business floundered.
Many entrepreneurs are too focused on their dream to take notice of health warning signs, which leads them to ignore business health signs as well. If you can’t remember the last time you had a relaxing evening with the spouse, or read a book, then your health may be in jeopardy. If your business won’t run for a day without you, then the business isn’t healthy either.
There is no single formula for how to stay healthy while starting and running an exciting but demanding new business, but here are a few suggestions, depending on your lifestyle:
- Stay fit and rested. You will have more energy and think more effectively if you are in shape and rested. In addition, you’re a role model for partners and employees. Real job performance is more a function of productivity than hours worked anyway.
- Find a stress reliever. For some people, it’s quiet meditation, and for others it’s a vigorous workout at the gym. Find something you really enjoy that doesn’t have anything to do with your business. These will help you unleash the creative side.
- Work and family balance. Family-work balance is an issue that involves financial values, gender roles, career paths, time management and many other factors. Entrepreneurs can be so focused that they ignore the family, resulting in an unhealthy situation for everyone.
- Regular medical checkups. No one is immune to the random attacks of a disease, and something recognized sooner rather than later can often be treated with minimal lasting effect. Undiagnosed and untreated problems, resulting from ignored or unknown symptoms, are a health disaster well worth avoiding.
At the same time, don’t forget that there are things you must do to maintain the health of your business, and send the right message to your employees on priorities:
- Reward employee health. Lead by example, of course, and encourage employees regularly to pursue a healthy lifestyle. You might even give special recognition for sticking to a wellness program, or sponsor a healthy team outing or other activities.
- Quarterly business reviews. On a regular basis, at least once a quarter, you need to take a hard look at all your key metrics. Maybe it’s time to tackle a new geography, or figure out how to exit some clients who are “high maintenance.”
- Quality improvements. Continuous improvement is the key to quality production. Make sure your processes are working. A constant increase in the quality of products and services, including more innovation and creativity, all lead to a healthier business.
- Improve customer service. Make sure all employees are empowered to provide the same customer service they would want for themselves and their own business. Measure how well you are doing with surveys and personal contacts.
Healthy companies need healthy employees and healthy processes. Workplace health promotion is not, as some might think, a charitable gesture towards employees but an investment in the company. It can be a life or death issue with you personally, as well as your company. Don’t wait, like my friend, until it’s too late.
Marty Zwilling
Posts
I'm the CEO of my business....and every morning, I DO workout before beginning my day.
ReplyDeleteI eat healthy, and at some point in the afternoon, take a 20-minute power-nap...
and almost NEVER work past 5pm.
When I hit a road-block, I change gears/tasks...sometimes taking a ten-minute walk, to "step away" from the task.
Before closing shop for the day, I create my "to do" list for the next day, prioritizing the MUST do's, from the "Want-To-Do's ."
I try to do the hardest tasks first, because once those are behind me, the rest of the day goes easier. And I've learned that you can't hit the ball out of the park, EVERY DAY. Some days, you have to sit on the bench...and learn from the other players.
Great post and thanks for the share. As a team always we take care of each other and try to do things in a better way.
ReplyDeleteStill working to get to this point! Definitely know it's good advice but hard to do sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true. And something that should be remembered often.
ReplyDeleteI also like to take breaks after conf calls. Sometimes I even stand up and stretch during phone calls.
Also have to watch that 10:30/3pm snack/drink. Because a bad snack could have you crash an hour later.
Great post! We had a related post on our blog related to healthy eating and the impact that it has upon the way an entrepreneur acts and behaves. This did not focus on the importance of what you eat, but I wanted to pass on this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://hearpreneur.com/blog/2011/11/10/adding-swagger-to-a-entrepreneurs-kitchen/
“A Ferrari needs to be fueled up with full gas to run. You’re a human and you need to do the same thing.”
Health care is conventionally regarded as an important determinant in promoting the general health and well being of people around the world. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteI love being healthy, and this is why I came to read all about healthy startups!
ReplyDeleteRaspberry Ketones reviews and Insanity Asylum review