Why working on your energy levels is good for your business

Why working on your energy levels is good for your business

I recently read an article from Richard Branson, giving his tops for being successful as an entrepreneur and one tip really caught my eye.

It’s easy to get so caught up in being creative, making sure our customers are happy, working on our marketing plans, figuring out our strategy and vision, being productive etc. that we can forget about our company’s biggest asset – YOU.

One of Richard Branson’s top tips is to look after your physical health to succeed as an entrepreneur.

I don’t know about you but thinking about my physical health in relation to my business isn’t something that usually crosses my mind.

When I’m putting together my plans for the year I don’t have a section for looking after me.

In fact, since running my own business, I’ve noticed some bad habits slipping in.

Especially in what I eat.

When I used to go to work in an office I was much more organised about what I was eating – taking healthy snacks so I wasn’t always at the vending machine!

Now I work from home it’s just too easy to grab a couple of biscuits with every cup of tea, and a packet of crisps often passes for lunch.

I then find myself at 3pm,  about to dash off for the school run and realise that I’m famished.  Another quick biscuit and a coffee will see me through till teatime.

Not good is it? Particularly as I know this is not helping my energy levels at all – no wonder I’m whacked by the time the kids have gone to bed!

I’ve also neglected exercise as I struggle with the guilt of doing something that is not about my business when my kids aren’t about.

I’m making a pledge to stop some bad habits and re-introduce some good ones and at the bottom of this post you can see what I’m going to do.

If this has made you think about some changes you can make to up your energy and look after your physical health. so that you have more for your business and your family, read on for some ‘food for thought’…

Move more…

This doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or taking a Zumba class – how about going for a 20 minute walk after you eat lunch?

Eat less…

Processed food, sugary foods, fried foods, red meat

Eat more….

Wholegrains, fruit and veg, food that looks close to it’s natural form, energy giving foods

Drink less…

Alcohol, caffeine, sugary drinks

Drink more…

Water

Stress less…

Stop worrying about things outside of your control

Laugh more…

Find something to laugh about throughout your day

So, has this got you thinking about changes you can make to improve your energy?

I’d love to hear just 1 change you’re going to make so please leave me a comment and let me know.

Here are mine:

  • Make time for my yoga class again
  • Go for a short walk twice a week
  • Organise my food shopping so that I have healthy snacks and quick lunches in
  • Cut down on the number of nights I have a glass of wine in the evening once the kids are in bed
  • Find some funny and inspiring quotes / pictures I can put in my office

Over to you.

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Alison Bradford

Alison Bradford is a business coach who works with smart, ambitious business owners to get clarity about how they can grow their business and increase profit. Sign up here to learn 6 easy ways you can boost profit in your business today.
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6 Comments
  • Triece Turnbull
    Posted at 08:09h, 28 February

    Hi Alison, yes a brilliant post. I must say I am with Kathy on this one – I too forget to eat. I will get up and start working straight away and then see the clock read 12 ‘o’ clock and then realise that I have not even had breakfast. As a health psychologist, I feel quite ashamed how I neglect myself at times, but I seem to focus my attention on others. Saying that I do try and get out climbing twice a week and I do go to the gym. Although this helps with keeping fit, I think it is important to also be mentally fit and I think food has a lot to do with this. However, thanks for your post as it has made me think. It is 8:04 and I am going to leave my study to have some wholemeal toast! 🙂

    • Alison Bradford
      Posted at 14:33h, 28 February

      I’m glad it made you think Triece – sometimes we just need to set out intention and create some new, healthier habits and make time to eat!

  • Nicola
    Posted at 15:23h, 26 January

    Hi Alison, this resonates with me such a lot! I started my business almost a year ago and definitely got caught up in doing the work! This year I’ve changed my strategy and have scheduled kickboxing classes every week and a fortnightly massage. It’s made a huge difference. Still a few other things to shape but getting there! Thanks for the reminder!

  • Liz
    Posted at 17:46h, 13 December

    Brilliant inspiring post Alison. I need to build in the time to walk my little boy to and from pre-school, rather than doing a mad dash in the car when I’ve left it too late.
    I also need to stop the evening snacking once he’s in bed.
    Hopefully putting it in writing here will make sure I do it!

  • Kathy Barham
    Posted at 19:43h, 26 October

    Well I definitely eat less – I just forget to eat! When I worked in an office and that trolley came round I used to stuff myself with chocolate and crisps twice a day (and that was as well as lunch!) But I do factor exercise into most days. Quite simply, my advice would be to get a dog. A big lovely labrador is great, although any type will do. You then have no choice but to factor a walk into your day. I have found that if I take him for a work after school drop off, it gives me time to plan my day in my head and work through any issues I might have and then I feel focused and ready to go as soon as I get back in (and doggy is happy to doze through the rest of your working day!) I can highly recommend it!

    • Alison Bradford
      Posted at 13:28h, 27 October

      Hi Kathy. Thanks for your comment and I agree that a walk is a great way to clear your mind and find your focus for the day. Not sure we’ll be getting a dog though as my 5 year old has a phobia of them – maybe in the future….