How are you doing?
As a business owner or manager, you are constantly being reminded of all of your responsibilities and expectations. The distinct nature of the role is already incredibly taxing. Employees, customers, vendors, investors and government entities all rely upon you to do the right thing (and the “right thing” is not always in alignment for all stakeholders). Your family members feel like they take a back seat to your work…And let’s be honest, they probably do. Now, layer on the financial and compliance impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The stress can be crushing.
When you are responsible for the well-being of others, the last person to be cared for is you. Unfortunately, this is the exact opposite of what is best for every single participant in your life. You cannot expect to be a strategic business captain, an empathetic people leader or an engaged household member if you are unable to separate yourself mentally from the feeling that the burden of the world is on your shoulders.
The idea for this blog post came to me while I was wandering the bluff in Magnolia (a sleepy neighborhood in Seattle) for 30 minutes the other day with our dog, Sadie. In that short span of time, I felt rejuvenated - hearing the chirping of the birds, admiring the beauty of Puget Sound and breathing the fresh air changed the trajectory of my attitude for the day. On another afternoon this week, I took a 15 minute nap; this amount of time may seem inconsequential on the surface, but experts say a short nap in the afternoon is far more effective than another jolt of coffee.
Of course, it is easy for me to "steal away” from my daily routine right now as I am “in between” jobs and working to build a client base for my nascent consultancy. However, as I took in my surroundings while Sadie pulled me around the grassland atop Magnolia, I couldn’t help wondering why I hadn’t given myself more time in my 22 year corporate career. I always complained of exhaustion, found myself constantly distracted and became increasingly cynical in a position that required an optimistic approach to people issues.
Wellness is not limited to the people for whom you are responsible, it begins with you. It doesn’t need to be complicated, costly or time consuming. A little can go a long way - not just for you, but for everyone in your life who relies on you.
Finally, look beyond yourself for help. Chances are your peers are experiencing the same feelings and stresses you are; there is catharsis in connecting to those who can most understand your plight. Call upon trusted mentors who will deliver a straightforward message because they are in your corner and want you to succeed; just be sure to leave your defensive reaction at the door. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional. There is no shame in going to the doctor when we aren’t feeling well physically. However, as a society, we stigmatize the concept of visiting a therapist when we aren’t feeling well mentally. Engaging this type of support does not need to be indefinite. Often, just five or six sessions can help break down the wall in front of us so we can see a clear path forward. Clarity provides the space in our mind to focus on doing what is right for the people who matter most to our success.
