That Cinderella song, Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till It’s Gone is playing through my mind as I craft this post. Why? Well, I haven’t had the most productive day today. Why? Because I’m working on a good bit less than my typical 7 – 8 hours of nightly sleep.
You might be thinking, “So, what the heck does that have to do with being a solopreneur?”
And I’ll be answering, “EVERYTHING!”
As a solopreneur, your ability to attain and maintain an ideal level of productivity is very much dependent on how well you take care of yourself. You most likely don’t think much about that until you happen across a day like the one I’ve had today – when it takes you more energy and time than usual to complete tasks.
The Fundamentals of Taking Care of Yourself:
Get enough sleep
Your well-rested self (body and mind) will always outperform your fatigued and weary self. Make sleep a priority. Besides feeling zombie-ish, you put yourself at risk for some major health problems by not catching adequate zzz regularly.
Eat the right stuff
There really is no excuse for not doing this. You know which foods are good for you and which are not. Yes, it can be challenging to eat well when you’re crazy busy, but with some pre-planning and stocking up on whole and healthy options you can avoid processed foods that are void of nutrients. It’s amazing how big a difference eating clean can have on your stamina and thinking chops.
Work it out
Hello, endorphins! Those of the exercise-induced variety work wonders to boost energy, minimize anxiety & stress levels, and increase the ability to think clearly and more creatively. Get active – often! No time? Find some because you’ve got everything to gain.
Your turn! How well do you take care of yourself? What differences in performance and productivity have you noticed when you don’t sleep, eat right and exercise?
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Sleep is a huge factor for me! In fact, I just took a quick nap before I head out to another meeting where I’m expected to provide some brain power – ha ha! Plus, with little sleep, I’m a real grump!
I’m the same, Carrie! I’ve found I need at least 7 to be at the top of my game…and quite honestly, 9 is ideal for me, but that very rarely happens! Here’s to a good night’s sleep – and naps! 😉