Your Well-being and Work Performance are Connected

We give our blood, sweat, and tears to grow our business. We don’t hesitate to spend money to grow our business. But how much is spent on wellbeing? Is it more, less, or about the same? Your well-being and work performance are connected.

Well-being includes emotional, mental, physical, social, and spiritual. Well-being requires self-care and making choices to support our future selves. This is hard when we’re struggling financially, facing demands and deadlines, or tempted with instant gratification.

Society will have you believe that self-care is about adding things. However, holistic self-care includes removing things. It includes resting, recharging, and refining. Typically, we overlook these activities because they’re “non-productive.” But what if our perception is short-sighted?

Making time to rest, recharge, and refine is necessary for excellence.

An overemphasis on work without self-care is not sustainable. When you don’t rest and recharge your energy and enthusiasm suffer. Think of it this way, rest is putting your phone in airplane mode; recharge is plugging your phone into the charger. Your phone is storing up energy for later use. I’d argue most people rest on the weekends and semi-recharge on vacation.

Low energy contributes to poor engagement. You’re not fully present with those who need you. There’s an increase in assumptions and short responses.

Low enthusiasm generates poor performance. You’re more likely to create errors. You’re less likely to see opportunities and develop new ideas.

To effectively lead your team and manage the business you must take care of your well-being. Leadership requires high energy and enthusiasm to convey ideas, inspire clients, and motivate your team.

Wellbeing Practices

Being a small business owner demands a lot of you. Over the past 10 years, I overworked myself. I didn’t eat well. I didn’t exercise regularly. I wasn’t present with family when I should have been. I was short with people. I burned out several times. It sucked learning things the hard way. 😜

• Be Present. In meetings and at meals, my phone is silent and put away. When I’m with family, I no longer bring my laptop. This allows for a better connection with those in front of me and more fulfilling interactions.
• Manage Stress. You can help people without being the hero in everyone’s story. Know when to double down and when to let go. Focus on what you can control…your energy, your response, your character.
• Meal Prep. A healthy breakfast and lunch keep you fueled to operate at your best. I start with protein before coffee and have high-protein lunches. This prevents sugar crashes, brain fog, and sluggish behavior.
• Prioritize Fitness. If this is walking, cardio, or lifting weights, schedule it into your calendar and make it part of your routine. I find it’s easier to stay committed when I track my efforts daily (MyFitnessPal) and have my outfit hanging out ready to go.
• Protect Your Rest. Poor sleep impacts our decision-making, reaction times, and perception. A rash response does more damage than an intentional one. When you’re frustrated, pause before responding and if possible sleep on it. Your phone makes it easy to wind down and wake up at the same time. I need my 8 hours of sleep.
• Schedule Time to Recharge. Make a list of what gives you energy. Is it pickleball? Spending time with loved ones? Connecting with friends? Enjoying a hobby? Learning watercolor? Exploring nature? Instead of waiting for a vacation; schedule in recharge moments throughout the month.
• Schedule Wellness Visits. At the beginning of the year, schedule all your preventative care visits.

High-Performance Wellness Team

Did you know top-performing athletes spend over $1,000,000 on recovery a year? (Source) Russell Wilson’s personal team includes:

• Full-time trainer (~$125k/year)
• Full-time physical therapist (~$150K/year)
• Full-time massage therapist (~ $73K/year)
• Two full-time chefs (~$62k/year each)
• Mental condition coach

Russell’s investment in recovery is relative to the demands of his work and income. As a result of his dedication to recovery, he didn’t miss starting a game for 9 years. Do you know how hard that is? Subjecting your body to high-speed blows every Sunday, recovery on Monday, off on Tuesday, practice again Wednesday – Friday, travel on Saturday, and repeat for 17+ weeks. And if you are lucky enough to survive the season without energy, you don’t lose time in surgery and therapy during the off-season.

Founder Wellness Team

As founder, you face similar pressure. While the physical toll isn’t the same the mental and emotional labor are just as taxing. You’re constantly aware of keeping the lights on, payroll met, vendors paid, and clients happy.

Who would be on your founder wellness team? What would this look like based on your needs and budget?

• Dietician
• Family Physician
• Fitness trainer
• Housekeeper
• Leadership coach
• Prayer partner
• Therapist
• Virtual assistant

Is there an affordable class or subscription you can use instead?

Ways to Recharge

What excites you? Who brings you joy? What brings you peace? Make more time for these moments.

Take Refining Action

Make a list of the areas in your life that need your attention. Describe how you want to show up. What kind of energy do you want to bring to the room? What are you wearing and how do you feel? What needs to be removed or reduced in your life to create space for you to be this person?

Your ability to bring your A-game to your business depends on your well-being. Invest in it. Make it a continuous practice. Those around you will benefit from the improvement and may join you. Most importantly, your future self will thank you.