Lifestyle Tips for Small Business Owners
Many entrepreneurs tend to focus on their businesses rather than their overall lifestyles. When you’re running and growing a small business it’s easy to forgo exercise, healthy eating, socializing, and other things that feel like luxuries.
But, changing your lifestyle is an incredibly effective way to turn yourself into a better business owner. Here are 6 essential lifestyle changes (both in and out of the office) that will help you improve all areas of your life, including your business.
1. Take more breaks to be more productive
Did you know that taking regular breaks can actually increase your productivity? It might sound counterintuitive, but you can’t deny the science behind the claim. Taking breaks gives your brain a useful reset so that you can tackle your tasks with mental clarity and motivation, two things that dwindle if you keep at a task for too long.
2. Schedule breaks during meetings, too
Breaks are equally important during long meetings. When leading your team, clients, or other professionals through a meeting, you should build breaks into the agenda every 30 - 45 minutes. If you do this, you’ll also be shaping the corporate culture and lifestyles of your office in a very positive way.
A 10 minute break will give participants time to digest the information being received and they’ll undoubtedly appreciate a chance to use the restroom or move their legs.
3. Exercise regularly to improve your small business
Speaking of movement, prioritizing exercise and fitness is another important part of becoming a better entrepreneur with a healthy and balanced lifestyle. If you can’t imagine waking up earlier to workout, or if hitting the gym after a long day at the office sounds more stressful than rejuvenating, consider adding exercise into your workday.
Your workday productivity will increase, too. To test the idea out for yourself try this 30-minute, office-friendly workout. You’ll probably notice that physical movement helps your brain move faster, too.
4. Don’t forget to eat
Entrepreneurs and other high performing professionals have a tendency to skip eating, instead focusing on cranking out more work. Since your brain and body need food to function optimally, you already know that skipping meals is a big mistake.
Set yourself up for success by stocking your workspace with snacks, preparing lunch ahead of time, making a quick online order at the nearest healthy restaurant, or whatever else you need to do. When you prioritize healthy eating as part of your overall lifestyle you might be surprised by the positive effects it has on your business and life.
5. Read something new every day
Reading expands your horizons, helps you relax, teaches you new things, builds your vocabulary, helps strengthen communication skills, and so much more. It’s another lifestyle commitment that’s easy to skip, but try to read every single day.
6. Focus on sleep health
When you have a choice between finishing a project or going to bed early, which do you choose? Many entrepreneurs will opt for more work, but that’s not always the best call.
Sometimes, a few late nights are non-negotiable if you want to grow your business. Skipping sleep shouldn’t be a regular occurrence, though. In fact, getting enough sleep can make you a better entrepreneur, and that should be reason enough to convince you about the importance of sleep!
