the healthy entrepreneur

The Things We Can’t Change

According to weather forecasts,
it is going to rain
in my area
every day
for the next two weeks.

That is…disappointing.
I had things to do outside

But I can’t change the weather.
That’s not my area of expertise
or my business model.

I have to accept it will rain.
And adjust for it.

I might erect tents
so I can work outside.

Or delay that work.

Or try to bring it
inside.

Or make another tweak
to my plans.

In your business,
there are things
you can’t change also.

Accept that
and work with or around them.

Heads Down And Working

When the world
becomes too much
of a tire fire
and I reach a point
where, emotionally,
I can’t handle
hearing about it,
I put my head down
and I work.

I throw myself
into business building.

I get sh*t done.

I work with focus.

I tune out the world
and I live the business.

That calms me.
It builds my confidence.
It makes me happy.

When I feel ready again,
I resurface
and I catch up.

Doers do.

When the world gets
too much for you
to take,
tune as much of it out
as possible
and do.

Get sh*t done.

It Isn’t A Competition

A gardener buddy
was talking about
how he ‘cheats’
when making compost.

Making compost isn’t a competition, dude.

No one is tracking
how you make compost
or how much you make
or how quickly you make it.

Much of building a business
isn’t a competition either.

We sometimes compete
with other businesses
for customers.
Yes. That’s true.

But we don’t compete
with them
in the
who wakes up the earliest
or
who works the longest hours
or
who goes the longest
without seeing loved ones,
etc.
categories.

Ignore the urge
to compete in areas
no one truly cares about.

Go at your own pace.

Find your own happiness.

Stay Healthy – Emotionally And Physically

Yesterday,
I advised all of us
to take a one minute break
and enjoy the world around us.

I didn’t say this
merely to increase
our happiness levels.

Though that WAS
my main reason
for giving
that advice.

I advised to take a break
because that will help
to keep us healthy
– emotionally and physically.

And very few of us
have the excess time
to be sick right now.

Being sick
is sh*t for business building.

Take a f*cking break.

Look At The Lights

The holiday season
is a busy time
for almost all business builders.

This might be
our best time for sales.

Partners might be taking
time off
over the holidays.

WE might be taking
some time off.

We have a lot of sh*t to do.

But take a minute.
That’s all that’s needed
– one minute.

And admire a display of holiday lights.
Or savor a bite of holiday baking.
Or watch someone open a gift.
Or hug someone you love.

Give that minute of happiness
to yourself.

And THEN you can
get back to work.

Reduce Stress

The average adult
is extremely stressed.

According to the 2023
Stress In America report,
24% of adults
rated their stress
as extremely high
(compared to 19%
in 2019).

Stress levels are lower
for older people.

Only 9% of those aged 65+
feel extremely stressed.

In contrast,
34% of those aged 18 to 24
feel extremely stressed.

What does this mean
for business builders?

Our employees are likely
to be under a LOT of stress.

Our customers are also
likely looking for ways
to lower their stress levels.

If we can reduce stress
with our products, our services,
our management style,
we are more likely
to earn loyalty
from the people around us.

We Can’t Afford To Be Ill

I can’t afford to be ill.

I live in Canada.
My stance doesn’t have
anything to do
with the financial costs
of medical care.

It has to do with time.
I don’t have the spare time
to be ill.
I don’t WANT to spend
time being ill.

I have books to write
(products to produce),
businesses to run,
other things I’d prefer
to do.

So I take precautions.
I wear a mask.
I wash my hands.
I improve ventilation
in spaces I occupy
(I have a personal air purifier
I hang on an lanyard
and wear around my neck.)

All of this
takes mere seconds.

I can then focus on other things.

And I save countless days
not being ill.

You and I can’t afford to be ill.

Preventing illness
has a huge return on investment.

Make that investment.

Take Chest Pains Seriously

We were informed
that yet another loved one
has passed from a heart attack.
He was young, fit,
full of life.

A day before his death,
he complained
of chest pains.
He thought he’d pulled something
during his workout.

The next day,
he was dead.

Take chest pains seriously.

You can’t build a business
if you’re dead.

Get your a$$ to emergency
and ensure you are thoroughly examined.

Then,
when you’re given
the all clear,
return to building your business
and changing the world.

Invest In Your Space

If you started working
from home
during the pandemic,
telling yourself
it would only be
for a few months,
and you’re still
working from home
today,
invest in your space.

Get a proper chair,
for example.
The dining room chair
was okay for a month.
It isn’t suitable
to use
for 8 hours a day
over the entire year.

Set up your workspace
properly.
Ensure your lighting
is adequate
and your screen is positioned
at the proper height.

Invest in the little things
that will make your day
happier and healthier.

This is no longer
a temporary solution.
Treat it as long term.

Invest in your working space.