Why Solo Entrepreneurs Desperately Need To Prioritize Wellness Training

Would you like to do well as an entrepreneur? Then begin by getting well. Your success begins and ends with you, so isn't it time to take that seriously?

As the world continues to experience the fallout of unresolved mental health issues and increased victims of disease due to poor physical and mental conditions, it becomes increasingly important to look into the roots of these challenges across industries. Since entrepreneurs are notorious for ignoring their own well-being, it is appropriate to take a look at well-being in an entrepreneurial context.

Pressure and entrepreneurship seem to go hand-in-hand, along with a propensity to ignore health and wellness. The stress is real and the calling is not always fun. The result can be costly for your health, time, energy, income, peace of mind, relationships, and life.

As an entrepreneur - especially as a solo entrepreneur - success is directly related to the strength of your physical and mental well-being. If you are incapacitated, there is no replacement. If you hit a mental or physical wall, the result can be temporarily or critically devastating for your business.

[Related: The 3 Best Ways to Avoid Career Burnout]

Your ability to perform - in low- or high-pressure situations - is contingent upon how you feel. How you feel dictates your ability to compete with yourself, others, and technologies just beginning to emerge. Your well-being helps you navigate obstacles and reach goals effectively and efficiently.

Entrepreneurs’ days go beyond 9-5. Success and failure in this 24-7 lifestyle begins in your head and is a result of your everyday training.

For any athlete, winning begins first in the mind and supported by the preparedness afforded by consistent, proper training. The same is true as an entrepreneur. Unfortunately, in the case of the latter, that training takes place by default (if at all).

Phases of low productivity go hand in hand with poor diet, lack of sleep, inappropriate work environments, stress, poor use of time, a racing mind, or a fragmented focus. However, unlike serious athletes, entrepreneurs ignore symptoms and don't dedicate the time to proactively train their bodies and minds for success. 

Your body is your vehicle. However, your mind is your engine. Each plays a critical role in your ability to perform well in your business and your life.

[Related: Three Benefits of Coaching for Those New to the Startup World]

Like athletes, the physical and mental health of entrepreneurs need to be fortified for sustainable performance. Entrepreneurs should consciously be making improvements to overall endurance, ability to overcome challenges (physical and mental), strength, resiliency, and impact.

While the physical body needs to be properly prepared to deliver, no athlete can accomplish any feat that they don’t feel they possess the ability to achieve. The same is true for entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship demands regular and intense commitment, energy, and use of one's faculties. Which is why committing first to entrepreneurial well-being is a necessary shift for modern environments wishing to improve the health of local entrepreneurial eco-systems. This should begin with proper health and wellness management. The creation of relevant, effective, and varied training that holistically supports twenty-first century lifestyles.

Runners don’t just run to improve their speed. They also train for strength, speed, and flexibility. Each is connected to the quality of their overall performance. Pay attention to training and performance conditions such as ventilation, lighting, temperature, duration, time of day, and potential physical and mental restraints; this will increase performance effectiveness and efficiency.

Training can be difficult; however, without ensuring proper energy, it is impossible. If you think that you are too busy to eat, sleep, exercise, or take a break, then think again. It is easy to get caught up in the business of being busy, especially as a solo entrepreneur. It is important to consider that nothing works unless you do. This fact makes training for good health a necessity.

The last decade has seen increased attention given to mental health awareness, personal wellness, and collective empathy. As entrepreneurs, it is time to take this shift seriously. Begin training these areas as if your business and life depend on it, because they do.

[Related: Sacrificing Your Health for Success Can Have the Opposite Effect]

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Lori Webb is an entrepreneurial enthusiast. She is attracted to the new and loves the entrepreneurial spirit. She helps clients make sense of the new, and leverage the entrepreneurial spirit to improve their businesses, organizations, or lives.