I scheduled a massage this week, even though I “couldn’t afford it.” The result (even before receiving the massage) was increased energy, lifted spirits, better focus, more efficiency and productivity, and increased confidence about moving forward on a specific business project. I’ll take a moment to mention my amazing massage therapist, Linda Delande from Meridian Body Therapies in Newburyport, Massachusetts. She’s the best!
So….all those benefits to my business, just from scheduling a massage? Maybe not. There were certainly other factors, but it’s my experience as a solo entrepreneur, that intense self-care is mission critical. I AM the engine behind the business. I AM the heart and soul of it. I AM the “Mama” of the enterprise. And you know what they say – “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”
And if Mama is overly stressed and not getting the sufficient nurturing that she needs to operate at an optimum level, then she must institute whatever wellness components she needs in order to run the business effectively and sustainably.
Each solopreneur has his or her own preferred wellness support. For me it’s a massage or an hour at the beach in the late afternoon. For someone else it might be another type of bodywork, yoga, meditation or taking time for a racquetball game or a long-overdue phone call with a friend.
Two martinis after work might be your idea of nurturance, but I would put that in a whole different category. I invite you to discover and implement the practice you prefer that fully enhances the wellness of your mind and body.
Use the share buttons below to pass this along to anyone you know who might benefit from stepping up their self-care. And please leave a comment to let me know what works for you.
And remember, “Takin Care of Business” means Takin Care of YOU!
Hey Christine, thanks! And I wanted to tell you, it went full circle. I was scrubbing the siding on my house Sunday, realizing how much I had to do and so little time before winter. Feeling overwhelmed, I thought about canceling my lovely Franconia weekend in order to do more hard labor. Which is all I’ve been doing in my spare time for 2 months now. Then I thought about your comments about self-care, and realized that was what I REALLY needed, because I was running out of steam and wouldn’t be worth much soon. So I will do some nurturing this weekend and then start up again with fresh vigor! Thanks!!
Linda Delande
Linda,
Thanks for your comment! What a wonderful story about your own self-care! I am so glad it was helpful. 🙂
Hi Cristy,
Great blog! This is so hard to do and so important. I am going to book a massage next week since I am just about out of steam! If you see your Mom and brother this week send them my love. My Mom and Dad are with us until Sunday.
Love,
Your coz Judy
Hi Judy!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I sent your love with my family. Say hello to you family for me. And enjoy your massage!