Taking Care Of Your Mental Health As An Entrepreneur

The increased global focus on mental health is inspiring as it encourages us to prioritize our whole-body—mind, body, and spirit. As an entrepreneur, you are constantly innovating and exploring new ways to grow your business. Or exploring new business opportunities. As exciting as it is building your legacy, you must not forget to balance your life and prioritize your health. It’s easy to get stressed as an entrepreneur, which can rapidly impact your physical and mental health. Here are a few ways to take care of yourself. 

Know Your Strengths

One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make is doing it all. While you are the visionary, you shouldn’t be the one to execute your entire vision. Although the age-old belief is that “if you want it done right do it yourself” you may not be the best person. Start by creating a list of your strengths or take a strength finder test. Maybe even read the book Now, Discover Your Strengths. Your strengths are the things that come naturally to you, that typically don’t stress you out, and that time flies by when you are getting them done. Invest most of your time in your strengths, and delegate the rest. This will improve your daily sense of accomplishment and keep stress and overwhelm to a minimum. 

Delegate

Another reason you may take everything on yourself is that you don’t yet have the budget for full-time staff. However, there’s never been a better time to hire part-time and as-needed specialized professionals.

Keeping in line with the theme above, delegate things that aren’t your strength. Also, delegate as much as you can that doesn’t have to be completed by you. For example, market research. 

• Work with any variety of:

  • Hourly personal/virtual assistants

  • Freelancers

  • Skilled professionals on a monthly or contract basis

For example, if you aren’t good with numbers, you can hire a virtual CFO to ensure you stay on track. If you’re not good with social media you can hire social media marketer or marketing director instead of learning to do it yourself. Can’t seem to write copy, hire a copywriter.

Delegating lightens your load, empowers you to do what you do best, and keeps your stress to a minimum. 

Unplug

It’s easy to be so motivated that you just keep working. Checking your email, staying up all night researching, and responding to all incoming contact regardless of where you are or what time it is. 

There will be times when you work from dusk till dawn with enthusiasm, but at some point, you will burn out. Well before the burnout, your creativity and focus will suffer.  

Take a proactive approach to your mental health by unplugging with intention. This could include any combination of:

• Staying unplugged the first hour of your day.

• Unplugging at a set time each evening.

• Always unplugging during dinner.

• Unplugging during date night or while with your kids.

• Unplugging for a significant amount of time.

• Utilizing communication apps to unplug on the weekends and while on vacation.

Find Your Entrepreneurial Tribe

When you work a 9 to 5 position, you’re surrounded by like-minded professionals, but sometimes being an entrepreneur can be lonely. You may have already found your personal tribe, but they may not comprehend your entrepreneurial aspirations. 

Find your professional tribe by:

• Joining local and virtual entrepreneurial groups.

• Joining local and virtual industry organizations.

• Utilizing LinkedIn to keep in touch with old connections.

• Utilizing LinkedIn to develop new connections.

• Joining an entrepreneurial book club.

• Finding a professional mentor.

• Hiring a coach or consultant to bounce ideas off of.

Ongoing Development

As an entrepreneur, your development is up to you. While it may sound like more work, the time you invest in yourself is essential for your mental health. This includes both your personal and professional development, of which there is a lot of overlap. 

A few options to explore include:

• Reading personal and professional development books.

• Working with a life, career, or relationship coach.

• Listening to or watching podcasts, TED Talks, and YouTube videos.

• Taking online or live training courses.

• Attending live and virtual seminars and events.

• Working with a therapist who specializes in your areas of opportunity.

A few of my favorites include The Therapy For Black Girls Podcast, The Gift Of Imperfections, and You Are A Bad Ass.

Lifestyle & Self-Care

One of the many reasons to become your own boss is to live your life your way. This means creating a schedule that allows for balance. What this looks like for me may not be what it looks like for you. 

A few things to prioritize include:

• Enjoying the food you eat, but prioritizing nutrition.

• Working out and finding physical activities that you enjoy.

• Spending quality time with your bae, family, and friends.

• Take time to relax and unwind, including vacations and daily and weekly time off.

• Make time for massages

• Scheduling annual physicals and not ignoring changes in your physical or mental health.

• Determining your stress and anxiety triggers and taking a proactive approach to them.

• And don’t forget a couch or virtual session with a mental health therapist. If you’re looking for a black therapist try searching The Therapy For Black Girls Directory.

Last but not least, there is zero shame in taking the time you need to prioritize your mental health. It’s not weak to know what you need. In fact, putting yourself first can supercharge your entrepreneurial outcomes. It may even inspire new entrepreneurial endeavors!