Business Education

How Entrepreneurs can Improve their Mental – and therefore Physical – Health

Andrew Carnegie. JP Morgan. John D. Rockefeller. Once, these men were titans of industry and the most successful among American entrepreneurs. This, at a time when technology was extremely limited by today’s standards. Communications were not nearly as instantaneous, and the advantage of a democratized autodidact education couldn’t have come from the internet. Now, it’s an entirely different world – except in some remarkable respects. Business owners are still subjected to a lot, particularly stress. And this means these individuals will suffer both mentally and physically.

Common Causes of Mental and Physical Stress and Poor Health

Being an entrepreneur comes with many challenges. Business owners often have to deal with a high level of uncertainty and unpredictability in their ventures. This can create feelings of a lack of control and lead to stress and anxiety. Plus, having to work long hours to keep their business running, can lead to fatigue, burnout, and poor physical health.

It’s no secret that entrepreneurship in the startup field comes with a lot of uncertainty and stress. Researchers from Harvard Business Review interviewed 65 entrepreneurs and found that stress and fear had both motivating and inhibiting consequences. For example, fears related to financial stress actually encouraged greater persistence, while fears of failure related to aptitude had an inhibiting result. —Forbes

Running a business can be financially stressful, especially during the start-up phase. Money worries can cause anxiety, depression, and affect overall well-being. What’s more, entrepreneurs may neglect their physical and mental health due to the demands of their business. This can include poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and lack of sleep.

How Entrepreneurs can Improve their Mental and Physical Health

Entrepreneurship can be a very difficult endeavor. While the rewards of building a successful business can be significant, the pressure to perform and the constant uncertainty of the future can take a toll on one’s mental and physical health. However, there are several effective ways that entrepreneurs can improve their mental and physical well-being.

Prioritize self-care. Entrepreneurs often have a lot on their plate and may neglect taking care of themselves. It is essential to set aside time each day for self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and relaxation. These activities not only improve physical health but also help clear the mind and reduce stress.
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Entrepreneurs can practice mindfulness by setting aside time each day for meditation or other mindfulness practices such as yoga or tai chi.
Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on one’s mental and physical health. Entrepreneurs should aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night and establish a consistent sleep schedule.
Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help improve energy levels, reduce stress, and improve overall physical and mental health. Entrepreneurs should aim to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
Connect with others. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely endeavor, and it is essential to maintain social connections with friends and family. Entrepreneurs should make an effort to connect with others through activities such as networking events, social clubs, or volunteer work.
Seek help if needed. Entrepreneurs should not be afraid to seek help if they are struggling with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Help is available through counseling, therapy, or support groups.

As you can plainly see, entrepreneurs can improve their mental and physical health by prioritizing self-care, practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, connecting with others, and seeking help when needed. Remember that taking care of yourself is crucial for your business’s success. What do you think? Do you have any other suggestions that others can benefit from? Please take a moment to share your thoughts and experiences! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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Learn this Uber London Quebec Business Lesson Right Now

October 4, 2017 No Comments

Uber just lost its operating license in London. Then, Quebec passed tough new regulations. That caused Uber to announce a cessation of operations starting next month. There are many cities, municipalities, and unions suing Uber. Their claim is the ride-share company isn’t restricted by the same rules as taxis and like services. However, Uber remains popular with the public. It provides a different experience and often for a lower cost. But, it is definitely learning taking on government regulations is no easy task. 4 Helpful Tips for Entering a Regulated Business Industry You might want to start a business to help people. And, that’s what many others do successfully. Although, if it’s in a heavily or even a moderately regulated industry, you’ll face several extra obstacles than entrepreneurs in different fields. The truth of the matter is, starting a business in any industry presents inherent risks. But, this certainly doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you’re building a new social network, creating a tech-enabled food delivery business, or developing an artificial-intelligence translation tool, there aren’t many demanding rules to adhere to. But if your startup deals with issues such as health care, finance, or education, things can be rather more difficult. —MIT Technology Review It’s actually far from impossible. You just have to be realistic and pragmatic. In fact, you need to take many things into account before you jump into a regulated industry. After all, you’re chances of stumbling or outright failing are undoubtedly higher. That’s okay, if you take it as a challenge, you’ll probably get some worthwhile lessons along the way. Here are four helpful tips for entering a regulated business industry: Conduct extensive research. This should go without stating but sometimes the obvious really needs emphasis. You need to conduct a lot of research before you take step one. Knowledge is power and there’s nothing more damaging than ignorance. As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” And, that’s not a place to start. So, do all the research you can. Talk to people already thriving. Chances are excellent there’s already somebody, somewhere succeeding in that particular industry. Find him or her and personally reach out. Be upfront and honest about your ambitions. If you are respectful and open, they’ll be far more generous with important information. Start very small and scale up slowly. One bit of advice that works quite well in every industry is to start small and scale up incrementally. It’s very risky to jump right in, front-loaded with debt, and hope everything works out. So, start small, test the market, get to know it, and grow little by little. Keep abreast of all pertinent regulations. Regulations don’t necessarily stay the same. The rules can change at any time. Understanding and accepting this is key. Do yourself a huge favor and keep up with those changes so you aren’t taken by surprise. Have you built a business in a heavily regulated industry? What other advice do you have? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group. [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Apple Reluctantly Admits iPhone Sales Dropped 15% — Here’s What that Means for Your Business

February 1, 2019 No Comments

It’s the dreaded, seemingly unbelievable news Apple warned its investors about earlier this month. The sales of its most important product, the iPhone, free-fell by 15 percent. Since these devices account of 60 percent of Apple’s business, that’s a big, big deal. Overall, the tech company’s sales dropped 5 percent; a sizable setback, indeed. How Setbacks can Impact Businesses What this demonstrates, quite starkly, is that no company is immune from setbacks. No matter how popular their products and/or services. Regardless of the economic climate. Despite strong consumer sentiment. Any business can suffer setbacks. Reconnecting with the determination that’s helped you succeed takes re-examining your strengths and a little creativity. When challenging scenarios have you hanging your head, shore up your confidence with these skills so you can get back up, dust yourself off and look the challenge in the eye to overcome. —Forbes.com It’s not just monetary losses, either. When a setback occurs, it can shatter confidence. So much it’s difficult to get it back again. In other words, a setback can not only take away from the bottom line, it can take an emotional, psychological toll. And, these shouldn’t be understated. Ways Businesses can Overcome Setbacks So, just how do businesses deal with setbacks? What can they do to turn things around and get back into a positive groove? Here are some effective ways to deal with setbacks: Face it head-on. There’s no sense in denying reality. Acknowledge the situation to start to understand just what’s happening. And, take comfort in the fact that you’re now a bit wiser for the experience. Avoid the blame game. Sure, there’s probably a person or two you can point to as the culprit(s). But, this is only useful in getting to the core of the problem itself. Playing the blame game does nothing to move you forward. Identify the source, accept it, and move on from there. Give it a little time. Instead of just jumping into a fix, allow some time for introspection and reflection. If you hurry, you’ll probably only make things worse for rushing into the first rash solution. Impatience is very powerful at undermining because it takes time to heal. Move forward with caution. If you take your time, you’re much more apt to pinpoint the problem points and come up with workable, realistic solutions. Proceed with caution and then, if there’s headway, push past your comfort zone. After all, if you step outside of your comfort zone, you’re bound to see things in a totally different way than before. How do you deal with setbacks? What other remedies would you recommend people try? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Let’s Talk about the Office Break Room — Seriously

August 12, 2021 No Comments

Did you know that a full 86 percent of employees believe breaks during the workday make them more productive? Also, 59 percent indicate that regular breaks increase work satisfaction. What’s more, 43 percent say breaks improve their personal happiness. Sure, this certainly isn’t the most exciting topic. But it’s an area of your workplace that does play a vital role and in more than one way. On the positive side, it’s where your team members go to relax and decompress, and even form interpersonal relationships. However, it can also be a battleground for bickering employees and an area that breeds and thrives on office politics. That’s why you should make it into a place that promotes good vibes, relaxation, and yes, a true break from work. Beware the Break Room Drama There’s no question that there are two sides to every break room in every office building. While it can provide an escape for employees, there are inevitable instances when it is hijacked and made into a room full of drama. In most cases, this is simply a matter of conflicting personalities and people who really like to push conflict on to others. It’s also a place where people who will avoid conflict tend to retreat, only to be thrust into an argument. Today’s workforce works extremely hard, putting in long hours that often spill into our home lives. People need a place to decompress at work, both physically and mentally. To do that effectively, the space should look and feel different from the rest of the office to distinguish it as a place to relax, rewind and collaborate with colleagues. —Business News Daily So, it’s important to understand that the room itself can be part of the problem. That’s right. If the break room environment, meaning it’s aesthetics and functionality are counterproductive, it won’t naturally be a relaxing place to take a little time away from the daily grind. Make no mistake about it, if the room feels empty, unwelcoming, and doesn’t provide ample distraction, people’s bad feelings are more liable to escape them and that’s obviously bad for company morale. How to Create an Effective Break Room in 3 Easy Steps The break room should be a place that feels separate from the workplace itself. Think about it as an oasis of sorts, a spot where employees can truly unplug for a few moments and enjoy their breaks away from their roles and responsibilities. Here are three simple ways to create an effective break room: Provide food and beverages. A nice variety of healthy snacks is always a good idea. Particularly, popular food and drinks, like water, sports drinks, and even energy drinks, along with fruits and vegetables and perhaps nuts and other snack foods. While you don’t have to stock the refrigerator and pantry with entire meals and common dry goods, there should be enough delicious little edibles and both cold and hot drinks available. Furnish it for comfort and relaxation. Whatever type of furnishings you put in the break room, don’t make the colossal mistake of turning it into a stuffy office or crowded cubicle. In other words, it should feel very homey, with comfortable furniture and even some fun pieces, like oversized bean bags and such. Additionally, having relaxing music playing in the background is a nice touch. The decor should also be aesthetically pleasing and it should forgo any corporate feel. Make it a fun place with games and entertainment. Not only should it be comfortable, the break room ought to be a fun place where employees are encouraged to escape with things like simple board games. Or, if your company culture permits it, table games like foosball or ping pong. Alternatively, you can put a television in the room but this particular idea may not work in every workplace environment. What other suggestions do you have that might be of help? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting so others can benefit from your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.