Small businesses have always been recognised as the backbone of any economy, but in reality for many entrepreneurs; it feels as if they are being overburdened with rules, regulations and policies that are squeezing their ability to operate in a stress-free way.
Business owners are finding creativity replaced with increased administration and bureaucracy whilst struggling to keep existing customers happy; seeking out new clients; maximising scarce resources; improving the bottom line whilst still maintaining good health and work-life balance.
The pressure of remaining in business does not only focus on the physical and external factors but on ensuring that your spiritual and emotional needs are been addressed, nurtured and developed.
"The root of pain, stress and impatience is grounded in poor wellness habits"
Too many people are hampered with unforeseen responsibilities; long hours; poor eating habits and very little downtime for exercise and rest.
This type of routine will be beneficial to the business owner in the short term but this extended type of pressure will ultimately lead to high levels of stress, and anxiety and, in most cases, the body completely shut down due to sheer exhaustion.
Double Olympic gold medallist Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes recently announced a series of podcast interviews with high-profile entrepreneur celebrities based on a time they had reached their ‘nadir’.
She confessed to a time in her career of exhaustion, self-harming and depression while giving the illusion all was perfect.
Davina McCall resorted to heroin; Alistair Campbell to a psychotic breakdown - yet no one was talking about how stress and depression were a form of mental health.
But all these public figures demonstrate that your professional life may appear perfect on the outside, but many are struggling to overcome the increasing stress that they are under.
So business owners need to beware, because as she continued “In your head, you’re screaming so loud. That’s what people don’t understand, the scream inside!”
Being challenged in life is inevitable!
When most people think about making changes in their business they don’t think about addressing their behaviour to ensure that they are not only working in a healthier and stress-free way; but guaranteeing the long-term sustainability of their business.
According to Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos “Work-life balance is out and the blend is in. Instead of viewing work and life as a balancing act, it's more productive to view them as two integrated parts. It actually is a circle. It's not a balance. The relationship between our work life and personal life is reciprocal, and we no longer need to compartmentalize them into two competing time constraints.”
"Your success in life isn’t based on your ability to simply change. It is based on your ability to change faster than your competition, customers, and business." ― Mark Sanborn
Real change requires that we look at our business; we look at how we do things and how we are evolving. If we want a dramatic and positive turnaround in the businesses, we operate we have to look at how we lead and behave in our business.
As the leader in your business, it is important that you are demonstrating both a holistic and strategic approach to ensuring that you are in the best physical and mental health possible in order to improve competitiveness both internally and externally.
It is important that you are operating at optimum levels whether this is physically or mentally. By developing a healthy leadership style for running your business you promote respect, trust and cooperation between all your stakeholders as you improve your trading relationship.
"Talent wins’ games, but teamwork and intelligence wins’ championships." —Michael Jordan
As our greatest asset is our staff, this new cultural style will improve productivity through increased motivation, improved morale, less absenteeism and a higher commitment to both the well-being and profitability of the business.
People buy YOU when it comes to business and if you are promoting a better way of working than your competitors and peers, your brand is automatically strengthened; you gain top-of-mind recognition for all the right reasons and this will be reflected on the bottom line.
There is no doubt that we have to look after the softer elements of our lives if we wish to continue running our business long-term.
It’s not something nice to do; looking after your well-being does have benefits for the bottom line and it means you have a better chance of staying around to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." —Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Taking care of your health and well-being means that your management style becomes more engaging and promotes positive psychology which keeps you motivated and creative.
This new behaviour will be reflected in all areas of the business but most importantly employees will see your management style as respectful and trusting which will ensure that they are more engaged in the job at hand and the long-term viability of the business.
This behaviour supports better communication and minimises absenteeism as relationships improve both inside and outside the workplace.
Therefore, ensure that the positive change that you are looking for comes from within not just outside.
About the Author
Sonia Brown MBE is a market access advisor who is passionate about helping her clients to navigate the critical area between business, politics and policymaking.
She is an award-winning business communicator, uber connector, coach, trainer, writer and diversity maverick with over two decades experience in marketing, branding and life skills development.
To find out how to double your business value and dominate your sector within two years of working with The Alpha Group visit: https://the-alpha-group.biz/ or email: sonia.brown@the-alpha-group.biz for further information.
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