You’re about to launch a new product or program. Adrenalin is coursing through your veins. Ideas are flowing. You’re swimming in your creative juices. You know the feeling? I call it the Entrepreneurial Surge (minus the “protector”). It NEVER lets you down. That is, until . . . the launch is over, the article is written, the book is published, the website is complete… fill in the blank.
That’s when you begin to notice something is off.
For some, it’s simply the sniffles. Others experience a grouchy disposition or the makings of a migraine. In extreme cases adrenal exhaustion or thyroid issues show up. Sad but true.
I know. I’ve been there. That’s why I do this work. I have a built in accountability system called “Practice what you preach.” My formula for success in the self-care area is pretty simple: Eat, Play, Sleep.
Entrepreneurial Surge Protector # 1
The body needs to know it can count on you to feed it. Food. Real food. Nourishing food. Three times a day. This doesn’t have to be difficult. When you know you have a project coming up that is going to take a tremendous amount of energy and time, put “nourishment” in the project plan and before you begin, prepare yourself and your fridge.
It’s easy to say, “Sure, I can do this!” My clients are successful entrepreneurs. They have the best intentions. The struggle comes in the follow-through. Sound familiar? Before I shower you with “tips,” I’ll tell you a little story. Several years ago I was preparing for knee surgery. I have a pretty picky palate and I knew my husband would take very good care of me during my recovery. I also knew he wouldn’t be preparing green smoothies and homemade vegetable soup. I spent a couple Sundays making soup, smoothies, and green juices and placed them in the freezer. I filled jars with my very own antioxidant-rich “off-the-trail” mix. I made sure I had some really fine chocolate on hand. I stocked the refrigerator with greens, farm fresh eggs, and plenty of pears. (Essential when you are facing the binding properties of painkillers.) I was prepared. I now use the same action when I’m headed into a major entrepreneurial endeavor or launch. Works like a charm.
Entrepreneurial Surge Protector # 2:
I recently returned from a six-week visit with my aging father whose health is rapidly declining. My first thought was, “What will happen to my business if I put it on the back burner for six weeks?” My second thought was, “What will happen to my heart and psyche if I put my dad’s comfort and care on the back burner while I run my business?” Pretty soon I was managing his care in much the same way I run my business: full steam ahead. (Old habits die hard.) Knowing my all work-no play persona doesn’t serve me, I made sure to schedule in some PLAY. Yes, some of us need to “schedule” our playtime.
I like to schedule a mini MEcation every single day. First, write down all the things that make you happy and take very little time. For me, a visit to an organic market where people whisk you through the aisles proudly displaying the latest gogi berry concoction is pure bliss. Perhaps for you it’s a phone call to a friend, a walk in nature or taking a dance break. Be creative. But please, put it in your schedule.
Entrepreneurial Surge Protector # 3:
This is, in my humble opinion, the most neglected health, beauty and vitality strategy in our on-the-move culture. I have a keen ear for comments like: “I can get by on 6 hours of sleep a night,” or, “I just don’t need a lot of sleep.” More often than not we’ve altered our natural body rhythm by introducing artificial stimulants throughout the day to keep us going and we have no idea how much sleep our body truly needs. There is a causal link between disrupted or short sleep time and obesity, and it seems more prevalent in women than in men. Sleep is when the body does its restorative maintenance work—when our cells take the time to heal and detoxify, refuel and recharge for the day ahead.
Try my ten hours in ten days challenge. That’s right, for ten days I’d like you to power down and climb into bed with the intention of being at rest for ten hours. That means no iPad, no cell phone, no computer—no electromagnetic waves allowed. You can, however, read a good book until you get sleepy and nod out. Are you saying, “No way!”? Just give it a try and see how close you can get. I PROMISE you, your productivity will skyrocket.
After all, your body IS your business.
Love this, Sue Ann! Remembering to take care of ourselves in the midst of stress or crisis is not always easy – and so actually scheduling and planning that time to Eat, Play, Sleep – what a great idea/reminder. 🙂
Great post! I know as a busy mom of four who is launching my own business, my health is something that seems to be falling off the list. We do eat only whole foods and home cooked, but my fitness routine has dropped off and I am reaching more for chocolate out of stress. I’m up 10-15 pounds since this venture started. I love your tips and really need to try your 10 days to get 10 hours of focused rest. I have learned the hard way of how important sleep in for the function and restoration of my body.
Thank you so much for the gentle nudge to focus more on me!!
Thank you for the reminders Sue Ann. School holidays are coming up and I’ve already declared that it’s compulsory in our house to have 10 hours of sleep every night during those two weeks. That’s 16 days!! WOO HOO!
Also, I had no idea you could freeze green juice! <3
Yes, I love this!! I totally am with you on all three. It takes a bit of maturity (at least it did for me) that yes, our bodies do need at least 8-9 hours of sleep. I haven’t gone to 10 yet 😉 I fully take ME time everyday as well. Even with a household, two small children and a business, my ME time is golden. Yummy delicious and nutritious food is always center stage. Thank you!
I love your style Sue Ann. So clear and abundantly helpful. “Eat, Play, Sleep”…a wonderful mantra. And yes we are our best accountability buddies…that’s a very powerful system you employ…”Practice what you preach.” Thanks for tips and reminders. X.
You just gave me the idea to plan for times of busy-ness the same way I plan for a camping trip: make lists and pack wisely to be sure all your bases are covered, and you’re not caught out while you’re in the thick of things – be it a forest or a launch.
That said, I’m going to turn off my iPad and settle with some prayers. Goodnight!
I couldn’t agree more! Ifind that when I don’t feel connected to my body, everything feels off…business included. It’s really our foundation to how we move through the world.
These are all great reminders and really what they are, is the core of self care. We women especially like to put all three of these things dead last on our priority lists. Being a chef/nutritionist food is always top priority for me and I am great at planning ahead with my meals. Play? Sleep? Working on both, I keep a post it note on my refrigerator reminding me to get at least 8 hours of sleep and to do something nice for myself everyday.
You are speaking my language. I am a 9 -10 hours of sleep a night kind of girl. Thank you for giving me “permission.” I often feel guilty for getting the amount of sleep I need!
Now I just need to stock my fridge and freezer like yours. I’ve fallen into some baaaaaad habits recently, Sue Ann. Somehow Pringles made it into my shopping cart at a rare trip to Safeway the other day. (I was too lazy to drive to Whole Paycheck.) HELP!!!! 😮
I’m just in the throws of a 7 week spiritual practice. Every week-end. We just completed the second week. And we are adamant about nourishment. We make our food together for the week ahead and are eating so well. This year, we decided fun needed to be part of it… so we are doing that do and laughing at times until we think we just might pee our pants!!! LOL and sleep. We power down, sit in baths, read magazines or just sit and stare at the walls (seriously, we caught ourselves doing that last night! God we laughed until we cried!)
It was good to read this here knowing you and others are embracing this. I too feel and experience it as a ‘formula for success’. Interesting how making our body our business, is sometimes so foreign or not thought of. xoxoxo Thank you for yoru lovely post. xo
Lovely post! We all need a healthy formula for success!
Sue Ann, I’m nearly chortling right now. (Just used the phrase old habits die hard in my latest post!) Great minds… yada yada. That and the fact my favorite jammie pants say: “Live, love, laugh, SLEEP.” That said, I’m going to bed. Blissfully. (And I love your preparedness for taking care of YOU!) xo
Sue Ann, I am an 8-10 hour sleep girl..anything less and things are not pretty. I sleep well as, I make it a priority by preparing for it. I need to schedule my play [it’s becomes the last thing on the list] and more often because it is necessary for my wellness. Lovely reminder for me about the importance of play.
I’m in the midst of launching a 2nd biz and this is timely info! I admit to struggling with all 3 of these areas and I’m usually running on coffee. There are some really easy simple ways to improve in all 3 areas without getting overwhelmed trying to be perfect. Great reminders to stop, slow down, take breaks and take care of ourselves so we can keep going!
And I thought I was the only one who slept for 10 hours. I do this every night. And when I don’t get the 10 hours in, I feel off, my head is cluttered and unfocused. Homeschooling and working from home requires me to have lots of brain energy.
Having mini vacations is always on my schedule. But, I could use more prep time having my snacks available before reaching for the unhealthy stuff.
Thanks for the post!! Loved it!
what heavenly reminders, sue ann. i especially embrace the idea of a mini MEcation every single day. in the past few years, i have actually added this item to my list (i like your name for it!) and it is now a crucial part of my daily schedule. thank you for the new mantra “eat, play, sleep.”
This is a wonderful post Sue Ann! I am one of those people who have to take the time to schedule all of these points into my everyday. Luckily, my granddaughter is a big help with that, she comes home and I get my love (play) time. She is definitely my mini MEcation! My husband is amazing when it comes to making sure I am getting nourished, thank God for wonderful husbands. You have great insight into what we all need to lighten out mental loads and taking care of ourselves. I need to remind myself of all of your wonderful points when work takes over. Eat, Play, Sleep…I love this mantra!
I love thinking of this in terms of Eat, Play, Sleep – and of course making sure we create harmony between all three. I’m big into congruence of our message with our business and it’s only by thinking that our body IS our business that we’ll achieve that congruence.