As a manager, I spend the majority of my time thinking about ways to take care of our teams and facilities. The day-to-day stress of having 20+ employees, running the business, keeping bank accounts in the black … these things all add up! We make long lists of things we need to do to be better, make more money, be more efficient … but we rarely include self-care on the list. As a manager, taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do to take care of your team. Over the last few years, I’ve found a few self-care secrets, and noticed how they’ve made my businesses better. I’ve shared some of my favorites below.
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Talk It Out
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You need a safe place to discuss your management successes and failures. I suggest that this be done with someone other than your significant other. While it’s certainly fine to discuss business with your “special friend,” I suggest finding an outlet elsewhere who doesn’t have to carry all of the weight. If your business is stressing you out or weighing on you and you share that weight with your significant other, it can weigh down your relationship. Have a close friend (better yet, another small business owner!) whom you trust and who can understand, empathize with and advise you. Being able to share the wins and the losses with someone who “gets it” will keep you from feeling alone in the world.
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Pro tip: this person should never be an employee, even at management level.
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Get Away
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Small business owners tell me all the time that they never take a break. They wear this almost as a badge of honor. As an owner, one of the most dangerous places you can be is at burnout level. When you’re burned out, you have no creative energy and likely, little motivation or desire to work. Take time away from your business and life. If you can’t afford a huge vacation, that’s fine; go see family or friends who are an easy drive away – just get away from life. Like those great in-the-shower epiphanies, you’ll notice that away from your business, simple things will spark new business ideas.
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Learn from Others
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None of us get it ALL right! We all have things we’re great at and things we aren’t. I’m a good manager and marketer, but a terrible sunbed technician. Spend time with other owners. Go to their stores and see what they’re doing. Learn from each other – in doing so, we all become stronger.
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Turn It Off
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This is probably the most important one. (Saving the best for last!) Whatever you do, no matter how much you love it, it’s important to take a break. Breathe. Rest. Entrepreneurs often glorify “busy,” thinking that if we’re not crazy or spent or running on caffeine, then something is wrong. By taking a break and resting instead, you allow your mind to be fresh, happy and focused while at work. Take time to disconnect and enjoy life as a “normal person.”
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I’d love to hear what you do to take care of yourself as an entrepreneur, or just your general thoughts or questions on business! Email: hello@dspurgers.com
As a manager, taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do to take care of your team.
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